There Used To Be A BallPark Here - Yankee Stadium Past, Present & Future On 161 Street & River Avenue

Picture of Yankee Stadium from my seat following Saturday's win

Last night was the final regular season game played at Yankee Stadium. I say regular season because there is still a very, very slight chance that the Red Sox could lose their remaining 7 games, Yankees win their last 6 and then beat the Red Sox in a playoff. Just like 1978. Yes , I know, extremely unlikely, but you never give up until mathematically eliminated. Remember last year's Mets and Phillies!

I was at the next to last game at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon which ended nicely with a bottom of the ninth Yankee win. Sitting in the stands and afterwards, I recall so many memories of great times and most importantly being with friends, family and loved ones.

The first game I ever attended at Yankee Stadium was in late September of 1966 against the Minnesota Twins and Bobby Murcer, my favorite player, was playing shortstop. I learned to switch hit by imitating Bobby Murcer's batting stance while playing stickball. Unfortunately, the Yankees lost and Murcer made 4 errors that game but I still liked him because he was the youngest Yankee and successor to Mickey Mantle. We sat behind the broadcast booth and Phil Rizzuto gave us his autograph. That was a great thrill. Here's the box score from that game.

The mid to late 60's were not an easy time to be a Yankee fan. It was the era of the last place Yankees, but I still remember the fun we had sitting in the General Admission nose bleed seats during Sunday afternoon doubleheaders and sneaking down for better seats later in the day while trying to avoid the ushers.

Our loyalty to the Yankees was rewarded in the mid 70's with 2 World Series Championships during the era of Thurman Munson, Lou Pinella and Reggie Jackson. My dad and I were at game 6 of the 1977 World Series when Reggie hit his three homers. That is a great memory.

In the early 90's Don Mattingly, Buck Showwalter and Gene Michael created the conditions which led to the Yankee dynasty of the Joe Torre era. Derek Jeter, Paul O'Neil, Bernie Williams, Andy Petitte, Jorge Posada and the Great Mariano Riviera, together with their teammates, gave Yankee fans thrills to remember for a lifetime.

The best game I ever saw at Yankee Stadium took place on July 1 2004 game when Derek Jeter made the unbelievable diving catch into the stands and the Yankees beat the Red Sox in a thirteen inning back and forth marathon game. My favorite Red Sox fan believes that loss was the spark that got the Red Sox their first World Series championship.

There are just so many great memories of Yankee Stadium. I hope the new Yankee Stadium can match the original. At least it will still have the same address. 161st and River Avenue Bronx NY.

You Tube Video of Frank Sinatra singing There Used To Be A Ballpark Here/A Tribute to Yankee Stadium

As to the new Yankee Stadium. Keith Olbermann of MSNBC took a tour of the new site and was impressed.

You Tube video of Keith Olbermann tour of New Yankee Stadium

And Derek Jeter on Yankee Stadium memories.

You Tube Video of Derek Jeter Yankee Stadium Memories Speech thanking the Yankee Fans