It was just one of the 714 he hit during his career (15 more if you include his World Series efforts) but to Babe Ruth, the first home run belted at the newly constructed Yankee Stadium in 1923 always ranked among his favorites. In fact, leading up to the huge park’s debut Ruth told reporters he’d “give a year of my life if I could hit a home run on opening day of this … [Read more...]
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Notes: Oscar, Doc to NSCC; Palmer’s Putter; Leaving Las Vegas; Henrik the Hero
The National Sports Collectors Convention has added two NBA legends to its autograph roster for this summer’s show. Julius Erving and Oscar Robertson will sign in Chicago, as will wrestling legend Goldberg, coach Bob Knight and former Bears’ Super Bowl quarterback Jim McMahon. They join the original opening list of signers released late last month. Arnold Palmer … [Read more...]
Old Yankee Stadium Seats Nearly Sold Out
The number of old Yankee Stadium seats for sale ain't what it used to be. As part of the demolition of "The House That Ruth Built," following its closure after the 2008 season, nearly all 56,000 seats from the stadium are gone, according to Steiner Sports, which has now put the remaining seats up for sale. The company partnered with the team to market memorabilia from … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Yankee Stadium Opens in 1923
"Everything smelled of ... fresh paint, fresh plaster and fresh grass". The New York Evening Telegram’s description of Yankee Stadium, the cavernous new ballpark, surely drew fans in the days following April 18,1923. There was much pomp and circumstance as the Yankees and Red Sox opened the season in the $2.4 million facility (about $32 million in today’s dollars). … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Mantle’s Youth Lives on Through Cardboard
Sometimes we cannot comprehend that 20 years have passed since an event which seemed like only yesterday. I still remember sitting on my apartment couch early on a Sunday morning and seeing the crawl on the bottom of the ESPN screen that Mickey Mantle had died. While we knew he was very sick, we were all hoping he would somehow survive the health battles he was having and stay … [Read more...]
1923 Yankee Stadium Opening Photo at Auction
An original news photo from the opening of the original Yankee Stadium is among the items up for bid this month at RMY Auctions. The 5 ¾” x 9 ¼” Underwood & Underwood photo depicts the moment Bob Shawkey began to deliver the first pitch to Boston Red Sox leadoff man Chick Fewster on April 18, 1923. The photo is one of over 300 offered in the sale, which runs through … [Read more...]
Reggie Jackson Consigns Yankee Stadium Lettering to Auction
When baseball’s biggest stage was being prepared to meet the wrecking ball in 2008, Reggie Jackson bought the 13 letters that spelled out the words “Yankee Stadium” in blue lights. Now, the Hall of Famer is opting to sell the monumental signage that welcomed visitors to the ballpark from 1976 to 2008. He’s consigned the 10-foot tall letters to Sotheby’s, which will offer … [Read more...]
Caption Captures Casey’s Climactic Clout in ’23
He was a media darling in the 1950s and 60s as manager of the New York Yankees. The “Ol’ Perfesser” had a lot to say, even if it wasn’t always possible to understand exactly what he meant. Long before his managerial career began, though, Casey Stengel was a player and in October, 1923, he made history by belting the first World Series home run at Yankee Stadium. Our … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Rare 1920 Ruth In Action Image Attracting Interest
Ninety-five years ago, baseball was still trying to process the off-season sale of the player who had become a major gate attraction. The Boston Red Sox appeared to have found a first-rate superstar in Babe Ruth. Still youthful, the Baltimore native had come off a 1919 season in which he slugged 29 home runs, drive in 114 and gone 9-5 as a pitcher. He had played a role in … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Fans Cheer DiMaggio During Streak
It had started back on May 15. In July, it was still going. Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak captured the nation’s attention and as it grew, fans sat on the edges of seats until it was extended, whether they were in the ballpark or listening to live radio broadcasts or sports reports. When it approached 50 game, attention and attendance grew. This rare photograph, taken … [Read more...]
