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Comments (11)
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Save/ShareIf baseball is a religion, then Yankee Stadium is its grand cathedral. In its 85 years of existence, "The House That Ruth Built" has played host to some of the greatest moments in baseball history—as well as the greatest players.
But with its destruction imminent, and a new stadium slated to open in 2009, now is your last chance to take in the history of baseball's grand old lady. As game tickets are hard to come by, there's no better way to do so than to take the Yankee Stadium tour.
Check out my slide show and read all about my tour of Yankee Stadium after the jump.
I discovered the benefits of attending ballpark tours as opposed to actual games last year when my wife and I visited Seattle. The Safeco Field tour was much shorter than a game (45 minutes vs. three-plus hours) and easier to schedule (10 a.m. vs. 7:30 p.m.). The tour also granted us access to areas a casual fan would never see. And it was a huge bonus not having to sacrifice a night of our trip for two teams we couldn't care less about.
Back home, I told my wife that as a lifelong Yankees fan, I had to tour Yankee Stadium before it was destroyed. Recently, I was fortunate enough to make the trip to the Bronx.
[+] Launch the slide show
From there, it's down an elevator to the Yankees' clubhouse, where the players dress, eat, shower, and work out. No photography is allowed in this inner sanctum, but there's plenty to see. Lockers line the walls, and above each is a replica of the famed Yankee Stadium frieze. If you look closely in the back left of the room, you'll see the locker of beloved team captain Thurman Munson—untouched since his tragic death in a plane crash in 1979.
Next you'll head to the field level for a chance to sit in the dugout. You can see what every major league ballplayer sees when he's not out on the field. You'll also see why most of these players lean against the railing during games rather than sit down. It turns out the view from the bench isn't all that good!
You'll then walk along the outskirts of the field (be sure to stay off the grass!) to left field and Monument Park—the most famous location within Yankee Stadium. It's a shrine to all of the legendary players who have donned the pinstripes over the years. You'll find monuments to Hall of Fame players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle, as well as plaques for non-players, like the one for long-time stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard.
Depending on the season, there are more than half a dozen tour guides. If you're lucky, though, you'll get Tony Morante. Not only is he the head honcho of the tour department, but he's also been a Yankee employee for fifty years, so you know he's got his share of really good stories!
The Yankees haven't officially announced an end date for the tours, as they haven't even finalized when the old stadium will be destroyed. They're still in the midst of planning special events to commemorate the end of an era, including a Papal Mass on April 20 and the hosting of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 15.
MORE INFO Yankee Stadium tours are held most days except on weekends when the Yankees are home and weekdays when the Yankees have a home day game. Through March 16, 2008, prices are $15 for adults and $8 for children (14 and under) and seniors (60 and over). The tours end then, and resume on April 8, with prices rising to $20 for adults and $15 for children and seniors. For full details, visit the official site of the New York Yankees.
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Why are photos not allowed in the clubhouse? There are too many stupid rules nowadays.
Living in Boulder, Colo., I had no idea Yankee Stadium was being torn down. Our Mile High Stadium went a few years ago, replaced by Coors Field for the Rockies, and topsy-turvy Invesco Field at Mile High for the Broncos.
Posted By Roger A.C. Williams on March 10, 2008, 6:09 PM
I have tickets for the tour for my Dad and brother and I for July 7. This being the last year, tickets will probably go *very* fast...real fans should snap them up while they can! GO YANKEES!!! ...the most storied team in world sports history.
Posted By Renee M. Fondacaro on March 10, 2008, 7:56 PM
My wife and I also took the tour on Sept 20th 2007. Our tour guide said the flag pole was moving to the new park.. with the so called bat shaped weather vane... if you were really listening you may have heard that the weather vane is actually Lou Gehrig's bat that has been bronzed and put on display so everyone can see it..It was donated to the club by Lou Gehrig's wife.
Posted By Jeff W. on March 11, 2008, 11:47 AM
Just took the tour 3 weeks ago, with a group of HS students a real interesting tour with good photo ops esp. out in Monument park.
Posted By Brannon on March 18, 2008, 3:55 PM
yankee stadium is not closing after this season. the new park opening in 2009 will replace shea stadium, the mets park. yankee stadium will be around at least one more season after this one.
Posted By randall harrison on March 21, 2008, 10:36 PM
Randall, I can understand the confusion. Both Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium will be closing after the 2008 season. Both teams are getting a new ballpark in '09. The Mets will be playing in CitiField, which is modeled on the old Ebbets Field--where the Dodgers played in Brooklyn before leaving for LA in the 50's. CitiField was built in the parking lot adjacent to Shea. The only reason Shea's closing hasn't gotten as much press is because it's not nearly as old (it opened in the 60's) and other than two Mets' championships, not much really ever happened there. So it doesn't have the same historic context, baseball-wise, that Yankee Stadium does.
Posted By Anthony Falcone on March 25, 2008, 9:56 AM
When we took a tour of the Yankee Stadium and clubhouse--we were allowed to take all the pictures that we wanted---in the clubhouse, locker room, press box--it was a great tour--we were given a souvenir--It was the final year of Paul O'Neill--and we were so thrilled to his locker and Bernie's locker--next to each other--we loved this Yankee team
Posted By Marilyn on July 14, 2008, 2:53 PM
I tried (over a month ago)to get tour tickets for August but the Yankee web site said they were completely sold out and they would release 20 a day, at the stadium. I was able to buy tickets easily though for a game. It seems backwards but we will walk around the stadium as much as we can during the game. I would have preferred the tour but at least we'll get inside the stadium!
Posted By Lila on July 14, 2008, 7:09 PM
How hard is it to buy a stadium tour ticket on the day of the tour? I'm sure there is a long line of scalpers and other fans trying to buy. Have you seen ebay prices for this tour? I am going to the stadium for a game in August and will try to get there in the morning to buy a day of tour ticket. Any info on this would be very helpful.
Posted By Jake on July 21, 2008, 9:15 PM
Jake, I just checked the Yankees website and here's what they have to say:
All advance tickets for tours for individuals and groups of 11 or less, held at 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m., are currently sold out. However, you can keep checking the website to see if other times open up for your date requested, or, you may buy day-of-tour tickets. THESE ARE THE ONLY REMAINING OPTIONS TO PURCHASE TICKETS AT THIS POINT. Twenty tickets will be made available for the 12:00 p.m. tour and also for the 1:00 p.m. tour. Tickets go on sale at 9:00 a.m. (Monday through Saturday) and 10:00 a.m. (Sunday) at the advance ticket window on a first come first served basis. An arrival between 9am and 10am should give you the opportunity to purchase tickets, however, the earlier that you arrive will enhance your chances.
Jake, when I went on my tour, I didn't see any scalpers, but at the time, the tickets weren't sold out either. Also, as the employee of a respectable travel magazine, I can't condone the use of scalpers anyway!
I don't know whether tickets can be found and purchased--legally--on eBay, but you can go to StubHub.com. They are an officially licensed reseller of MLB tickets, and they do have tour tickets available. An initial glance however revealed the prices to be astronomically high ($100+), so showing up early and taking your chances on scoring a "day-of-tour" ticket might be your best option. Good luck!
Posted By Anthony Falcone on July 24, 2008, 10:37 AM
I am looking for 3 Yankee Stadium Tour tickets for August 29th. I had some through another ticket broker and booked a trip based on them and I just found out they can not deliver on them. I would appreciate any help you can give us.
TY
Posted By rob allegra on August 21, 2008, 4:14 PM