Yankee Stadium [I] Renovation (1974 - 1975)

[David Atkatz]

From the USA Today YS special edition. Worthy of a post here.

Hard to look at.

Everything you see, except for the escalator towers, the last ten rows and roof of the upper deck, and the upper deck portals, is original to the 1923-1937 Stadium.

[Tino24]

I was looking on the internet and saw a failed plan proposed in 98 to renovate the stadium again which would have made it look more like the original stadium. My question has anyone seen or are there failed plans or designs for a new stadium or different renovations of yankee stadium before the 73 renovations? Possibly while CBS owned the yankees.

[kobathecat]

I was looking on the internet and saw a failed plan proposed in 98 to renovate the stadium again which would have made it look more like the original stadium. My question has anyone seen or are there failed plans or designs for a new stadium or different renovations of yankee stadium before the 73 renovations? Possibly while CBS owned the yankees.

Can you post a link? I would like to see it if possible.

[six4three]

I think he's probably talking about the proposal by Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer (right about the time he was running for mayor).

Details can be found here.

[Tino24]

thanks for posting that link. thats what i was talking about. Any there any other proposed renovations out there? Pre-73? Or even plans for a new stadium (aside from the Guiliani plans in 00)?

[six4three]

AFAIK, there were only these:

early 1970s: renovations first proposed (renderings on this thread)
1974-1975: renovations made, slightly different from first proposals
1997: Ferrer proposed renovation
2001: proposed New Yankee Stadium (with retractable roof) - funded by Rudy Giuliani on his way out the door, killed by Mike Bloomberg twenty minutes after taking office
2005: New Yankee Stadium unveiled, currently under construction

[Brackish__4]

I think he's probably talking about the proposal by Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer (right about the time he was running for mayor).

Details can be found here.

I like the idea of the foul poles also being a flag pole. Somewhat an interesting and new idea.

[six4three]

I'd be worried that the flags would obstruct views.

Best part of Freddy Ferrer's plan - copper frieze.

[Aviator_Frank]

RE: the black seats portals: on the 1977 World Series DVDs they were open.

[Yankees12]

Ferrer's plan would have been a nice starting point to a possible YS renovation plan. I would assume that the glassed-in 2nd deck would have been scrapped, which was by far the worst aspect of his plan. But overall, it was a solid plan that I wish could have seen the light of day.

(Not to mention that beneficial impact it would have had on the surrounding area, which it dearly needs.)

[Yankees73]

Interesting. When did the Yanks start to make their public plea for renovations?

From what I remember as a kid, around late 1970,71. Burke went to John Lindsay and started to threaten to move to Jersey. Instead of going to the city council for approval, Lindsay went to the board of estimate as an urban renewal project with no cap on cost!! They originally estimated the stadium to cost around 25 mil. That number was from when Shea was built. Well we all know it ended up costing 100 million with the city once again getting the short end of the stick. Not a dime was put into improving the area, just a couple of off ramps from the Deegan. In summary, if there was any legacy of Mike Burke, it was him getting the stadium renovated and keeping the Yanks from moving.

[Tino24]

So the first renderings were from the Burke ownership or Steinbrenner? I was wondering if there were designs or plans out there for a new stadium (aside from the guiliani one) or different renovation ideas such as when they built the stadium there was a plan to have it enclosed : http://www.ballparktour.com/Yank-111.jpg

[six4three]

Pretty sure those first renderings were from the CBS days, before Steinbrenner.

As for the "glassed-in 2nd deck," Ferrer's plan was to convert the entire loge level to luxury suites. Pretty ambitious, and there might have been something there.

[MattD1972]

This pic I took in 1978 and they were uncovered and the protection railings were in place. Interesting.

I'm willing to bet that those seats were in use for Cosmos games, The Urban Classic football game, and other non-baseball events. As those don't happen anymore, it's as close to a solid wall as possible.

[bleacherbum73]

I'm willing to bet that those seats were in use for Cosmos games, The Urban Classic football game, and other non-baseball events. As those don't happen anymore, it's as close to a solid wall as possible.

Actually, if you look closely it doesn't even look like seats are even installed in that section. It looks to be painted concrete steps. The few pics i saw of Cosmos games at the Stadium did not show anyone sitting in the centerfield seats.