History of Yankee Stadium in Timeline

Yankee Stadium, located in the Bronx, New York City, is a prominent baseball stadium and home to the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. It also hosts New York City FC of Major League Soccer. As a successor to the original Yankee Stadium, it continues the legacy of the Yankees, a historically successful baseball franchise. The stadium is a significant landmark and a hub for sports and entertainment in New York City.

1923: Babe Ruth's Bat Placed on Home Plate

Before the Yankees went to bat for the first time, the bat that Babe Ruth used to hit his first home run at the old Yankee Stadium in 1923 was placed momentarily on home plate.

1923: Original Yankee Stadium Design

The new Yankee Stadium aims to evoke design elements of the original Yankee Stadium, both in its original 1923 state.

1948: The Jimmy Fund started by the Boston Braves

In 1948, the Jimmy Fund, a charity, was started by the Boston Braves, the Red Sox' National League rivals, but long championed by the Red Sox and particularly associated with Ted Williams.

1956: Tribute to Don Larsen's Perfect Game

The New York Yankees Museum features a tribute to Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, with a commemorative home plate and statues of Larsen and Yogi Berra.

1974: Original Frieze Removed During Renovations

In the original Yankee Stadium, a copper frieze lined the roof of the upper deck stands but was torn down during the 1974–75 renovations.

1976: Yankees Appear in World Series After Refurbishment

Following the refurbishment of the original Yankee Stadium, the Yankees appeared in the 1976 World Series, losing to the Big Red Machine in a four-game sweep.

1976: Original Yankee Stadium Post-Renovation Design

The new Yankee Stadium aims to evoke elements of the original Yankee Stadium, both in its post-renovation state in 1976.

1984: New Jersey Authorizes Land Use for Stadium

In 1984, New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean authorized the use of land in the Meadowlands Sports Complex for a new baseball stadium for the Yankees, although the state legislature did not provide financing.

1987: New Jersey Taxpayers Reject Stadium Financing

In 1987, New Jersey taxpayers rejected $185 million in public financing for a baseball stadium for the Yankees through a statewide referendum.

1988: Mayor Agrees to Fund Second Renovation

In 1988, Mayor Ed Koch agreed to have city taxpayers spend $90 million on a second renovation of Yankee Stadium, including luxury boxes, restaurants, parking garages, and traffic improvements, but Steinbrenner later backed out.

1988: Playing Field Dimensions

The interior of the current Yankee Stadium features a playing field that closely mimics the 1988–2008 dimensions of the old stadium.

1993: Mayor Dinkins Proposes Bronx Center Vision

In 1993, Mayor David Dinkins expanded on Koch's proposal with his Bronx Center vision, which included new housing, a new courthouse, and relocating the Police Academy nearby.

1993: Governor Cuomo Proposes West Side Yard Location

In 1993, New York Governor Mario Cuomo suggested using the West Side Yard in Manhattan as a location for a new Yankees stadium, but lost his re-election bid shortly after.

1995: Steinbrenner Rejects 13 Proposals

By 1995, George Steinbrenner had rejected 13 proposals aimed at keeping the Yankees in the Bronx.

1998: Ferrer and Giuliani propose stadium plans.

In 1998, Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer proposed spending $600 million in public money for stadium improvements and a "Yankee Village.". In the same year, Mayor Rudy Giuliani unveiled a $1 billion plan to relocate the Yankees to the West Side Yard, but it was tabled due to taxpayer funding concerns.

1999: Coors Field's Home Run Record

In 1999, Coors Field set a single-season record of 303 home runs allowed.

2000: Enron Field's Home Run Record

In 2000, Enron Field, now known as Daikin Park, set a record for home runs, which was later surpassed at the new Yankee Stadium.

December 2001: West Side Stadium Plan Resurfaces

In December 2001, the West Side Stadium plan resurfaced, setting the stage for further negotiations and proposals regarding the Yankees' stadium location.

January 2002: Giuliani Announces Tentative Agreements for New Stadiums

In January 2002, Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced tentative agreements for both the New York Yankees and New York Mets to build new stadiums, estimating a total cost of $2 billion with $1.2 billion from taxpayers.

2002: Bloomberg Backs Out of Stadium Deals

In 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, succeeding Giuliani, retracted the previous agreements, deeming them "corporate welfare" and stating that the city could not afford new stadiums for both the Yankees and Mets. He cited a clause allowing the teams to leave the city on short notice if the agreements were cancelled.

2003: Last No-Hitter Against Yankees at Original Yankee Stadium

In 2003, the Houston Astros were the last team to no-hit the Yankees at the original Yankee Stadium.

2004: Construction worker buries David Ortiz jersey

During construction, in 2004, a construction worker and Red Sox fan buried a David Ortiz jersey under the visitor's dugout to place a hex on the Yankees. The jersey was later exhumed and donated to the Jimmy Fund.

2004: Bloomberg Unveils Stadium Blueprint

In 2004, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled his blueprint for the new Yankee Stadium, alongside plans for Citi Field (the Mets' new stadium). The final cost for both stadiums exceeded $3.1 billion, with taxpayer subsidies accounting for $1.8 billion.

2005: Previous Home Run Record Set at Original Yankee Stadium

In 2005, the original Yankee Stadium had a single-season record of 215 home runs.

August 2006: Construction Begins on New Yankee Stadium

In August 2006, construction on the new Yankee Stadium began, marking the start of a project that would span several years and face various controversies.

August 16, 2006: Groundbreaking Ceremony Takes Place

On August 16, 2006, the 58th anniversary of Babe Ruth's death, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Yankee Stadium was held. Key figures such as George Steinbrenner, Michael Bloomberg, and Governor George Pataki participated.

2006: Cardinals Win World Series at Busch Stadium

In 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series at Busch Stadium in the venue's first season.

October 9, 2007: Tax-Exempt Bonds Approved for Parking Garages

On October 9, 2007, the New York City Industrial Development Agency approved $225 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the construction of three new parking garages with 3,600 new parking spaces, and renovation of the existing 5,569 parking spaces nearby.

2007: Yankees Continue to Play in Old Stadium

In 2007, the Yankees continued to play in the original Yankee Stadium while the new stadium was under construction across the street.

November 10, 2008: Transfer of Monument Park Begins

On November 10, 2008, the transfer of Monument Park from the old stadium to the new stadium began, marking a significant step in relocating the Yankees' historical tributes.

2008: Brett Gardner's Yankee Career Start

In 2008, Brett Gardner became a member of the New York Yankees team.

2008: Cliff Lee wins the 2008 Cy Young Award

In 2008, Cliff Lee won the Cy Young Award.

2008: Final Season at the Original Yankee Stadium

In 2008, the Yankees played their final season at the original Yankee Stadium before moving to the new stadium.

2008: Playing Field Dimensions

The interior of the current Yankee Stadium features a playing field that closely mimics the 1988–2008 dimensions of the old stadium.

February 23, 2009: First Monuments Placed

On February 23, 2009, the first monuments were put in place in the new Monument Park, signifying the relocation of historical tributes to the new Yankee Stadium.

March 30, 2009: Hard Rock Cafe Officially Opens

The Hard Rock Cafe at Yankee Stadium officially opened on March 30, 2009, providing dining and entertainment options for visitors.

April 2, 2009: Opening Ceremony at Hard Rock Cafe

On April 2, 2009, an opening ceremony was held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Yankee Stadium, celebrating its official launch.

April 2009: Stadium Opens

In April 2009, the new Yankee Stadium officially opened, succeeding the original stadium that was in operation from 1923 to 2008. The new stadium is located one block north of the original site.

April 16, 2009: Yankees Lose First Regular Season Game

On April 16, 2009, the Yankees lost their first regular-season game at the new Yankee Stadium to the Cleveland Indians, with Cliff Lee, the 2008 Cy Young Award winner, as the winning pitcher. Jorge Posada hit the first Yankee home run at the new ballpark in the same game. Grady Sizemore of the Indians hit the first grand slam at the stadium.

May 4, 2009: Rain Delay Incident

On May 4, 2009, during a game at Yankee Stadium, a rain delay led to confusion and criticism when stadium staff incorrectly told fans the game was unlikely to resume. Many fans left, and were subsequently denied re-entry per stadium policy, leading to arguments with personnel. Following the backlash, staff members were issued gag orders, and promised improvements to rain delay communication.

May 2009: High Home Run Rate in April and May

In April and May 2009, Yankee Stadium experienced a high home run rate, leading to criticism of the ballpark.

May 23, 2009: Metro-North Railroad Station Opened

On May 23, 2009, the Yankees – East 153rd Street station of the Metro-North Railroad opened, serving Yankee Stadium. This station routinely features Hudson Line train service, but on game days, Harlem Line and New Haven Line trains also stop there.

June 2009: AccuWeather Study on Home Runs

In June 2009, an AccuWeather study determined that the shape and height of the right field wall at Yankee Stadium, rather than the wind, were responsible for the high number of home runs. The analysis revealed that approximately 20% of the home runs hit wouldn't have been at the old ballpark due to the right field corner's curve and wall height.

July 2, 2009: First Home Run off Mohegan Sun Restaurant

On July 2, 2009, Russell Branyan of the Seattle Mariners became the first player to hit a home run off the Mohegan Sun Restaurant in center field at Yankee Stadium.

October 28, 2009: First World Series Game

On October 28, 2009, Yankee Stadium hosted its first World Series game, which resulted in a 6–1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Cliff Lee, who also won the first regular-season game at the venue, was the winning pitcher.

November 4, 2009: Yankees Win 27th World Series

On November 4, 2009, the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7–3 in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, winning their 27th World Series championship. Yankee Stadium became the latest stadium to host a World Series-clinching victory by its home team in its first season.

2009: Derek Jeter's All-Time Hits Record

In 2009, Derek Jeter became the Yankees' all-time hits leader with his 2,722nd hit, surpassing Lou Gehrig's 72-year record.

2009: Hosted the 2009 World Series

In 2009, Yankee Stadium hosted the World Series, marking a significant event for the stadium in its inaugural year.

2009: High Ticket Prices

In 2009, Yankee Stadium received criticism for its high ticket prices, particularly for the "Legends Suite" seats, which were among the most expensive in professional sports. The average ticket price was $63, the highest in baseball.

2009: New Home Run Record Set

In 2009, a new single-season record was set at Yankee Stadium for the most home runs hit at a Yankee home ballpark during the Yankees' 73rd home game. Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hit the 216th home run of the season at the venue, surpassing the previous record of 215.

2009: Yankees Win World Series in New Stadium

In 2009, the Yankees won the World Series at the end of their first MLB season in the new stadium. Despite the "hex" attempts, the team secured victory.

May 15, 2010: Decreased Home Run Rate

By May 15, 2010, the early rate of home runs at Yankee Stadium was significantly less compared to the previous year, with 35 home runs hit in 14 games.

October 6, 2011: Tigers Eliminate Yankees in ALDS

On October 6, 2011, the Detroit Tigers defeated the Yankees 3–2 in Game 5 of the ALDS, becoming the first team to eliminate the Yankees at the new stadium in the postseason.

2011: Significant Milestones Achieved

In 2011, the Yankee Stadium saw significant milestones: Derek Jeter became the first Yankee to reach 3,000 hits; the Yankees hit three grand slams in a single game; Mariano Rivera became the all-time leader in regular-season saves, reaching 602 saves.

2011: Yankees Hit More Homers than Any Other Team

Through the first two months of the 2011 season, the Yankees hit far more homers than any other team in the majors, however, Yankee Stadium was not the top home run park.

July 22, 2012: First Soccer Match at Yankee Stadium

On July 22, 2012, Yankee Stadium hosted its first soccer match as part of the 2012 World Football Challenge, featuring Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain. The match ended in a 1–1 tie, with an attendance of 38,202.

August 8, 2012: A.C. Milan vs. Real Madrid Soccer Match

On August 8, 2012, Yankee Stadium hosted a soccer match between A.C. Milan and Real Madrid, with Real Madrid winning 5–1 before a crowd of 49,474.

2012: Criticism for Lack of Fan Noise

In 2012, the new Yankee Stadium received criticism for its lack of fan noise compared to the old stadium. During a Sunday Night Baseball telecast, Terry Francona commented on the different atmosphere. The quieter environment was also noted during the 2012 playoffs, with unsold seats in key games. Mariano Rivera, in his autobiography "The Closer," mentioned the new stadium's inability to hold noise like the old one.

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May 25, 2013: Chelsea vs. Manchester City Soccer Match

On May 25, 2013, Chelsea played Manchester City at Yankee Stadium, with Manchester City winning 5–3.

June 11, 2013: Spain vs. Republic of Ireland Friendly Match

On June 11, 2013, Spain defeated the Republic of Ireland 2–0 in a friendly soccer match at Yankee Stadium.

January 26, 2014: NHL Stadium Series: Devils vs. Rangers

On January 26, 2014, Yankee Stadium hosted the NHL Stadium Series game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. This was the first outdoor game for the Devils.

January 29, 2014: NHL Stadium Series: Islanders vs. Rangers

On January 29, 2014, Yankee Stadium hosted the NHL Stadium Series game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers. This was the first outdoor game for the Islanders.

April 21, 2014: NYCFC to play at Yankee Stadium

On April 21, 2014, it was announced that New York City FC, a Major League Soccer expansion team owned jointly by the New York Yankees and Manchester City, would play in Yankee Stadium from 2015 until Etihad Park is completed in 2027.

September 2014: Derek Jeter Misses the Old Yankee Stadium Atmosphere

In September 2014, Derek Jeter expressed that he missed the original Yankee Stadium's atmosphere. He noted the new stadium's improved amenities but felt it lacked the intimidating, fan-centric feel of the old stadium, mentioning that the presence of suites made the stadium seem less full.

November 22, 2014: Lehigh vs. Lafayette Rivalry Game

On November 22, 2014, Lehigh and Lafayette played the 150th edition of their college football rivalry game at Yankee Stadium. Lafayette won, 27–7, in front of a sold-out stadium.

2014: Home Field for New York City FC

In 2014, Yankee Stadium became the home field for the Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion club New York City FC. The team, owned by City Football Group and the Yankees, will use it until Etihad Park is completed in 2027.

2014: Yankee Stadium Becomes Home of NYC High School Championships

In 2014, Yankee Stadium became the home of the Double A and Triple A New York City High School Public School Athletic League Championship.

March 11, 2016: NYCFC Matches Subject to Ticket Policy

On March 11, 2016, New York City FC announced that its matches would also be subject to the Yankees' ticket policy, restricting the use of printed electronic tickets.

March 13, 2016: NYCFC Home Opener Ticket Issues

At the New York City FC home opener on March 13, 2016, fans with printed tickets were reportedly turned away, leading to long lines and low attendance as the team began phasing in mobile ticketing.

April 3, 2016: John Oliver's Satirical Response to Ticket Resale Policy

On April 3, 2016, an episode of the HBO news-comedy series "Last Week Tonight" aired, in which host John Oliver satirized the Yankees' ticket resale policies. He announced a contest offering Legends Seats for 25 cents to those dressed as if they had "never sat in a premium location before."

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April 20, 2016: Kendall Graveman Bats at Yankee Stadium

On April 20, 2016, Kendall Graveman of the Oakland Athletics became the first starting pitcher to bat at Yankee Stadium.

June 27, 2016: Yankees Reach Deal with StubHub

On June 27, 2016, the Yankees announced a deal with StubHub to become their new official ticket resale partner, starting July 7, 2016. This agreement allowed season ticket holders to sell electronic tickets, but the service remained subject to a price flooring policy.

July 7, 2016: StubHub Becomes Official Ticket Resale Partner

On July 7, 2016, StubHub officially became the Yankees' new ticket resale partner. This allowed season ticket holders to sell electronic tickets, subject to a price flooring policy.

2016: Printed Electronic Tickets Banned

In 2016, Yankee Stadium banned printed electronic tickets for New York Yankees and New York City FC matches, accepting only traditional hard-stock tickets or those issued via a mobile ticketing system, citing fraud concerns.

2016: Bleacher View Obstructions

In 2016, the least expensive seats in the bleachers had obstructed views from sections 201 and 239 due to the indoor club seating area.

2017: Obstructed Views Removed in Favor of New Terraces

During the 2016–2017 off-season, sections with obstructed views were removed and replaced with outdoor bars and patios, including the Franks Red Hot Terrace and Toyota Terrace.

2017: Loud Atmosphere During ALCS Game 4

In 2017, particularly during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, the new Yankee Stadium began to resemble the old stadium in terms of crowd noise. The loud and raucous atmosphere, with the Yankees rallying to a 6-4 victory, potentially contributed to an Astros' miscue. Players like CC Sabathia and Aaron Judge commented on the deafening noise and electric atmosphere after the game.

May 27, 2019: Padres Final Team to Visit Yankee Stadium

On May 27, 2019, the San Diego Padres were the final team to visit the Yankee Stadium in its new configuration, completing the cycle of every MLB team playing at the venue.

June 25, 2022: Astros Pitchers Combine for No-Hitter

On June 25, 2022, the new Yankee Stadium witnessed its first no-hitter when three Houston Astros pitchers (Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris, and Ryan Pressly) combined to no-hit the Yankees in a 3–0 win.

2022: Manual Scoreboards Replaced

Prior to the 2022 season, the manually operated auxiliary scoreboards in the left and right field fences were removed in favor of digital advertising signage.

October 30, 2024: Dodgers Win World Series at Yankee Stadium

On October 30, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first visiting team to win a World Series at the new Yankee Stadium. They erased a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.

2024: Hosted the 2024 World Series

In 2024, Yankee Stadium hosted the World Series.

2027: Future opening of Etihad Park

In 2027, New York City FC plans to relocate from Yankee Stadium to their permanent home at Etihad Park, currently under construction in Willets Point.