A Tale of Two Stadiums

We are up to the main reason for my recent trip to New York City, visiting the two ballparks that will be replaced for the 2009 season. Apparently, New York is really where the money is these days since both the storied Yankee Stadium and the ugly sister called Shea are both being taken out of commission at the end of this baseball season.

Although both stadiums have witnessed some ‘amazing’ baseball (even if the one more so than the other) there is definitely no telling which one is in the hearts of the city folk. That is evident by the name assigned to each of the new stadiums; Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. Yankee Stadium can be seen as being modernized (i.e. more comfortable seating and more expensive luxury suites) since the name remains the same while Shea is flat out being replaced (and it is obvious why it’s needed). The Yankees fans seem to be saddened by the replacement of the House That Ruth Built and its 85 years of mostly fond memories even though the new park is supposedly going to a replica of the old but over in Queens it’s a different story. Even with the memory of the Miracle Mets of 1969 and the infamous Bill Buckner blunder in game 6 of the 1986 World Series, most Mets fans are more than happy to be getting a new field. The replacement of Shea does not seem to be talked about outside of Queens whereas the closing of Yankee Stadium is talked about everywhere (at least everywhere in North America).

Despite the dilapidated look of Shea and the narrow stairs, walkways and concourse of Yankee Stadium, both ballparks are still fun to watch games at. A lot of that enjoyment likely has to do with the relaxed and fun atmosphere created by the stadium’s personnel rather than the actual buildings. At Yankee Stadium one of New York’s finest seemed to be right at home in the stands. He was seen sending text messages, eating peanuts, chatting with fans and posing for pictures (perhaps even taking some for others as well). At Shea, we had an usher that was authentically friendly and seemed like he would like nothing better than to grab a seat beside us and talk about the history of the Mets or the stadium or anything else we wanted to talk about.

In the end, I’m glad I went to Yankee Stadium before they sell off every urinal and toilet seat to help recover the costs of constructing the new stadium but I prefer comfort over nostalgia at sporting events and think a new stadium is needed. Once the Yankees start winning in the new building the old stadium will be locked into the history books. As for Shea, I feel for the Mets fans that had to sit in that building the past several years when it was way past decent. The new stadium should give more life to the fans and hopefully the team as they continue on another September fall from grace. Cherish the memories of old but enjoy all the comforts afforded by the modern day.