The Old Yankee Stadium

The history of Yankee Stadium started in 1923. The eventual decision to build Yankee Stadium was a monumental event in New York history on its own. Before moving into Yankee Stadium, the Yankees had played at a ballpark in Manhattan called the Polo Grounds. The Yankees shared the Polo Grounds with the New York Giants, which often led to a tense relationship between the two organizations, so it was finally time for the Yankees to have their own home. The Yankees ultimately chose a plot of land in the Bronx, which they purchased from William Waldorf Astor for $675,000.

Despite the Yankees not having much of a history at that time, it was still a really big deal because it was the inauguration of their first real home. Even the President at the time, Warren Harding was seen at the stadium a week after it opened. The Yankees were transitioning from a baseball team into a brand, and the new stadium was at the center of it. Much of the popularity that the stadium was gaining was thanks to one of its premier players, Babe Ruth. After the Yankees acquired him from the Red Sox, he started filling up the seats on his own. Ruth is obviously known as a baseball icon and much of the early Yankee Stadium success is owed to him. Later in that 1923 season, the Yankees hosted their first of 33 World Series and defeated their former landlords, the New York Giants.

15 years later, Lou Gehrig who was already a legend in Yankee fans' eyes, entered the national stage as more than a symbol of baseball. His life was in jeopardy as he was diagnosed with a rare disease called ALS (now known as Lou Gehrig's disease). On July 4, 1939, the Yankees held a ceremony for him at Yankee Stadium where he delivered his famous "Luckiest Man" speech. His speech continues to act as a beacon of hope and as a symbol of New York spirit and fortitude. Yankee Stadium's role as a beacon of hope had to be called upon again during the difficult times in American history. One of these times were following the attacks on 9/11. On October 30, 2001, President George W. Bush arrived at Yankee Stadium to throw out the first pitch before the third game of the World Series. Once again Yankee Stadium became more than a symbol of baseball. It became a symbol of the country as a whole. 

Eventually, the 2008 season was decided to be the final season played at the original Yankee Stadium as the Yankees were ready to call another place home. The final game in the original Yankee Stadium concluded with a Yankees win and a speech addressed to the fans by the captain, Derek Jeter. It was a historic and emotional moment for baseball fans, Yankee fans, and New Yorkers in general. 

The original Yankee Stadium was home to 26 World Championship teams.