My pick for the #2 Sports Moment of 2008 is

The Collapse of the House that Ruth Built. The end of Yankee Stadium

However…
I want to be very clear that I am just talking about the poignant ending and it’s significance to the history of baseball. I, in no way, support even the idea of this new stadium and think it was 1. the biggest waste of money besides all these bailouts and 2. pointless destruction of a symbolic and historic structure that meant so much to so many people.

I am actually having a hard time writing about this still because it irritates me so much. And I’m not even a die-hard Yankee fan. Or a baseball fan. And I’ve never even been to the stadium. But maybe that’s part of the problem since I am only now learning to really appreciate it’s significance and will never get to experience it. I am not going to go into my rant right now of how angry this makes me.

Here is what I will say:

Yankee Stadium opened it’s doors on April 18, 1923. Over the last 85 years it became one of the most iconic and beloved structures in all sports history. The House that Ruth Built. Baseball’s Cathedral. The home of Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Don Mattingly, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and of course, the Bleacher Creatures–just to name a few.

Yankee Stadium was also the host countless memorable moments in sports and world history including:

• Babe Ruth’s first home run on Opening Day in the stadium
• Ruth’s 60 home run in a single season record set in 1927 that lasted until 1961
• Roger Maris’ 61st home run in 1961 that broke that record
• Lou Gehrig Appreciation day in 1939 where he gave his “luckiest man” speech.
• The first nationally televised baseball game on August 6, 1979 (21 days before I was born! Wow!),
• Monument Park, a tribute to the great legends of the past
• 
• 4 All-Star Games
• 37 World Series’
• 3 visits from the Pope
• 3 Perfect Games: Don Larsen in 1956, David Wells in 1998,  and David Cone in 1999
• The September 11th Memorial Service held on September 28, 2001
• The first televised boxing match on July 1, 1939 with Max Baer defeating Lou Nova. Also hosted boxing legends Mohammed Ali, Joe Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis.
• And finally…Derek Jeter’s Farewell Speech on September 21, 2008
• for more great moments check out Lost in the Ozone

When the plans for the new stadium were announced, countless letters poured in to newspapers and magazines across the country. One that really stuck out in my mind was in The New York Times: from Corey M. Goodman of Manhattan. He said he prefers attending games in the House that Ruth Built because:

“Just stepping inside always sends shivers down my spine, evoking thoughts of the countless events, names and faces that have thrilled millions of people for the past 80 years. Not to mention the overwhelming sense that I, too, am part of that story just by being there.”

This year there are hundreds of books, movies and memorabilia that has been produced to help commemorate this moment. I’ve seen Yankee Stadium: Baseball’s Cathedral and it was wonderful! I found this tribute on YouTube after searching through a lot and this one was my personal favorite because it spanned 85 years worth of magic:

So now I invite all of you: Please leave me a comment and share your favorite moments about Yankee Stadium with me! And let me know what you think about the new stadium. I really haven’t seen many positives about this new place–or much positive feedback. I’ve already said how I feel and before I write a really scathing piece about how horrible I think it is, I’d love to know what the fans really think!
up next: My #1 Pick of Top Sports Moment of 2008
go back to #3 Jayhawks Rock Chalk

About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!

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