YANKEE STADIUM SPEAKS
Tom Stout
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE MESSAGE. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
"Yankee Stadium Speaks"
<from the NY Yankees Forum> by Louis DiLullo
To my treasured Yankee fans and supporters. After seventy-
four years of silence, I think now is the time for me
to speak. During the past couple of weeks, I have seen
many posts on this forum concerning my future as home
of the honored New York Yankees. Many people have made
some very valid points for both positions, so now let me
make my own.
Next season will mark the 75th year that I have stood
on the corner of 161st and River Avenue. I have seen your
grandfather take your father to his first game. I have
seen your father take you to your first game. And now
I have seen many of you take your children here. My walls
have seen and heard all the joy that these first experiences
have given all of you. Please, don't knock down these
walls of memories.
I have played host to players who only come along once in
a lifetime. Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Jackson,
Munson, and Mattingly all made me famous. I am the envy
of all stadiums and sporting arenas in the world. What a
pleasure it has been to see these heroes perform during
the past seventy-four years. When you walk inside me, you
can't help but feel their presence. Please, don't knock
down these walls of memories
Yes, I have had many facelifts during the years as your
baseball home. These touch-ups, including the massive one
during '74-75, have only more enhanced my charm. The Yankees
christened the 1976 renovation with an American League
pennant. Oh, Chris Chambliss, when you hit that homerun,
this placed rocked! Now that's the only kind of movement
I want to see. When people walked out of here that night,
I saw smiles which I haven't seen since 1964. Please, don't
knock down these walls of memories.
To the gentleman from California, who stated that I should
be torn down. On opening day this year, 56,710 people stood
proudly as the 23rd World Championship flag was hoisted
on my field. On September 30, 57,000 people went crazy
when Raines, Jetter, and O'Neill went back-to-back-to back.
I didn't hear anyone complain about traffic that night
as they left the stadium. They were all talking about
the history that they witnessed here. Please, don't
knock down these walls of memories.
I do have some advice for your you sir. You stated that
you live a very "comfortable" lifestyle and love the
Yankees but hate the subways. This year buy some tickets
for various games and donate them to the Boys and Girls
Club of New York City. I know these kids wouldn't mind
the ride and when they enter my building, I will see
that look of awe which I have seen on all of your faces
for seventy-four years. I will be a memory which they will
cherish for the rest of their lives. Please, don't knock
down these walls of memories.
See 'ya in April-bring a birthday present, and bring back
a memory.
-----
I had a tear in my eye the first time I read this; you probably
do, too. Please visit http://www.spectra.net/~ralphw/yankees.htm
and, if you have a web site, please give us a link. Sign the
registry and add your thoughts on why the Yanks should stay in
the Bronx, the place they've called home since April 18, 1923.
If you don't, who will?