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Today's New York Daily News, in both its print and online editions, is reporting that the Yankee Stadium tours are over... yesterday, November 23, was, indeed, the final day.
According to the article, dismantling of the Stadium will begin March 15.
According to the article, dismantling of the Stadium will begin March 15.
Final tour at Yankee Stadium 'nostalgic and bittersweet' for fans
BY OREN YANIV
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, November 24th 2008, 9:50 AM
The very last fan has left the House That Ruth Built.
Team historian Tony Morante Sunday led the final public tour of Yankee Stadium before the historic ballpark is closed for good.
"This was not one I was looking forward to," said Morante, 65, after leading 40 fans around the legendary grounds.
"It's really nostalgic and bittersweet," said Paul Keller, 54, a life-long fan who said he has attended hundreds of games. "But I'm thrilled to see it one more time."
The visitors were the last of some 140,000 people to take the tour this year alone.
The legendary Stadium will be dismantled starting March 15, just before the new Yankee Stadium officially opens next door.
Morante, who's worked for the Bombers for 50 years, led the fans through the bare and chilly Stadium corridors. They went down to the clubhouse, which was nearly empty save for some cardboard boxes and equipment bags.
Like countless times before, Morante recited anecdotes from years past, pointed at famed players' lockers and explained the genesis of the Bronx Bombers' pinstriped uniforms.
The veteran tour guide seemed subdued and the fans mostly listened silently, almost in reverence.
"We're the last fans to be on the field," noted Earl Blaize, 40, of Brooklyn.
As the visitors snapped more and more pictures, Morante started pacing toward Monument Park, his favorite place in the old ballpark.
There was little to see at the plaza in left-center field. The monuments, plaques and retired numbers have already been moved to the new stadium.
Toward the end of the farewell tour, Morante asked the fans to huddle for a group photo and snapped one last memento for himself.
"This is a place where history lives," Morante told them. "It will live here forever."
[email protected]
BY OREN YANIV
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, November 24th 2008, 9:50 AM
The very last fan has left the House That Ruth Built.
Team historian Tony Morante Sunday led the final public tour of Yankee Stadium before the historic ballpark is closed for good.
"This was not one I was looking forward to," said Morante, 65, after leading 40 fans around the legendary grounds.
"It's really nostalgic and bittersweet," said Paul Keller, 54, a life-long fan who said he has attended hundreds of games. "But I'm thrilled to see it one more time."
The visitors were the last of some 140,000 people to take the tour this year alone.
The legendary Stadium will be dismantled starting March 15, just before the new Yankee Stadium officially opens next door.
Morante, who's worked for the Bombers for 50 years, led the fans through the bare and chilly Stadium corridors. They went down to the clubhouse, which was nearly empty save for some cardboard boxes and equipment bags.
Like countless times before, Morante recited anecdotes from years past, pointed at famed players' lockers and explained the genesis of the Bronx Bombers' pinstriped uniforms.
The veteran tour guide seemed subdued and the fans mostly listened silently, almost in reverence.
"We're the last fans to be on the field," noted Earl Blaize, 40, of Brooklyn.
As the visitors snapped more and more pictures, Morante started pacing toward Monument Park, his favorite place in the old ballpark.
There was little to see at the plaza in left-center field. The monuments, plaques and retired numbers have already been moved to the new stadium.
Toward the end of the farewell tour, Morante asked the fans to huddle for a group photo and snapped one last memento for himself.
"This is a place where history lives," Morante told them. "It will live here forever."
[email protected]
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