Yankee Stadium [I] Renovation (1974 - 1975)

[Yankees73]

Its such a mind blow how they butchered all of the historic features of that ballpark! But that was the 70's urban renewal mindset.

[quagmire]

Its such a mind blow how they butchered all of the historic features of that ballpark! But that was the 70's urban renewal mindset.

I don't think saving the eagle medallions were feasible on Gate 2 considering the new portion they added was part of the counter-balance for the upper deck if I am remembering correctly. Unless they cut them out and put them pack in when they put the new concrete on Gate 2.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I don't think saving the eagle medallions were feasible on Gate 2 considering the new portion they added was part of the counter-balance for the upper deck if I am remembering correctly. Unless they cut them out and put them pack in when they put the new concrete on Gate 2.

Correctamundo! The concrete added was part of the counterweight principle used there. There probably would have been no room for the medallions to go back owing to the new upper concourses windows running along that plane in addition to the parapet angling out and up just above them.

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Friends,

I recently contacted Jay Schwall, who was in charge of the demolition phase of the 1970s renovation of Yankee Stadium.
He's a wonderful gentleman!!! He told me that:

1. Three or four of the medallions were not destroyed. He does not know where they may be.

2. The frieze (facade) that ringed the grandstand was made of 100% pure copper. No alloy or other metal of any
other type was used for the famous frieze. Only 100% pure copper. Copper with alloy may have been used in other
parts of the Stadium, but the frieze was 100% pure copper, and nothing else.

-Mike Wagner

[quagmire]

Dear Friends,

I recently contacted Jay Schwall, who was in charge of the demolition phase of the 1970s renovation of Yankee Stadium.
He's a wonderful gentleman!!! He told me that:

1. Three or four of the medallions were not destroyed. He does not know where they may be.

If those eagle medallions could be located, they would be a great addition to Heritage Park.

[stadiumbuilder]

Hey Mike, haven't heard anything on your stadium book, is it getting published or are you still adding to it?

[Mike Wagner]

Dear stadiumbuildeer,

"Babe's Place" is currently being edited by Gabriel Schechter. He's a WONDERFUL person and editor. Gabriel is more than 3/4 of the way done. He was recommended by a number of people, including on SABR, so I know I'm very honored and grateful to have him on the job. Gabriel is correcting factual, punctuation, and spelling errors. The goal is to have "Babe's Place" published in 2012.

-Mike

[stadiumbuilder]

That's great news! What's the deal with photos? How many are going into the final version and is there any color?

[Mike Wagner]

Dear stadiumbuilder,

I have no answers about the photos, as we're currently focusing on the text of the book. I took 230 color photos of the renovation in 13 different trips there, using my Kodak Instamatic 100 camera. They really came out very well.

Some folks were kind enough to let me use their black and white photos. I do hope a lot of them will be printed in color, but I don't know what the end result will be.

-Mike

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Friends,

I'm currently putting together the supporting documents together for my manuscript for "Babe's Place: The Lives of Yankee Stadium." Does anyone have the most accurate number, or guess, for how much of the original walls remained of Yankee Stadium when it reopened in 1976? Some folks said 60%, 80%, or 85%. I'd like to be accurate.

Thank you.

-Mike

[The Monument]

Mike, everybody here has made educated guesses. The most accurate # would have to come from someone directly involved with the renovation, or from somebody in the business with access to the blueprints.

[Mike Wagner]

Dear The Monument,

Thank you for your wisdom. Also, everyone else on Baseball Fever. The knowledge of these many baseball fans still totally astounds me!! I'll get on it tonight.

-Mike

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Friends,

Ralph Drewes, who was the NAB Contractor Superintendent during the renovation, is of the opinion that about 65% of the exterior walls remained when the Stadium reopened in 1976. I'm very thankful to this kind gentleman for responding.

Here's a question, which should pretty much close out my last question.

Unistress is a company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. They make pre-cast concrete structures. They made the "stringers" used for the extra 10 rows of seating in the upper deck of old Yankee Stadium. Did they also make the frieze (facade) that ringed the outfield scoreboard in the renovated Yankee Stadium? I believe they did. Does anyone have written proof? I want to be correct on this.

Thank you, everybody.
Mike.

[The Monument]

Mike, I have something that leads me to believe that it was made by a company in the Bronx. I'll have to dig it up. Keep reminding me to do it.

[Mike Wagner]

Dear The Monument,

Thank you.


Also, does anyone know if the 1923 turnstiles were Fiske or Peavey? A reproduction 1923 Yankee Stadium program says Fiske. Auction houses say Peavey. I tend to believe the program. Does anyone know for sure?

Thank you.

-Mike