Redstate Sports

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The End Of History for me as far as baseball in New York goes.

I've been a Yankee fan since I knew what baseball was. I grew up in Westchester County, just North of The Bronx and a 15-20 minute drive to what was my second home, Yankee Stadium.

My Dad was born across the street from Yankee Stadium - I kid you not - 161st Street and Gerard Avenue, top floor of an apartment building and facing the stadium (It's one of the apartments you see when looking out to center and right fields). My Grandparents lived there until they passed in 1969.

Only five heroes in my life: My Dad who I take care of now, my Mom's late Brother who was 'up there' in the US Army as a judge, my late Uncle Frank, my Dad's Dad and the late Thurman Munson, Yankee Captain and a simply amazing and kind gentleman.

As I write this, the last game ever at Yankee Stadium is nearing it's conclusion. I can't watch it. Haven't seen one second of any of this last homestand.

I had an invitation to be there and even if I could go, I wouldn't have. It hurts too much to think of what's about to happen. If I walked in, I'd have to be dragged out kicking and screaming - I know me too well when it comes to that place and "my" Yankees.

I was there to meet The Mick on the field as one of my first baseball memories ever. I was there in the early '70's when they were horrid. I cheered then (and still do) for Mr. Steinbrenner because he brought my Yankees back to glory. Say what you will about the man, but like a true Yankee fan, he has blue pinstripes in his veins.

I was there in '76. I was there in '77. I was there for the games right before and right after Thurman passed to God's side. I even liked the Reggie Bar. I was there for Rags' no-hitter. I was there for Cone's perfect game. I was there for Donnie Baseball and prayed for the team to catch lightning in a bottle and get the man to a world championship. I was there in '96 for the real start of one of the most amazing runs any team has ever had. I watched with tears of joy in my eyes as a good and decent man in Joe Torre, who many considered to be a loser, mold my team into baseball's version of a killing machine. I needed to be and was there in '01 for the return game after September 11th.

I am not alone in that a big piece of me and my heart will fall when The Stadium is no more. I am also not alone in that I shall not attend a game at the new yankee stadium - the new ballpark name is not capitalized by me, because that new ballpark is NOT Yankee Stadium.

Mr. Steinbrenner and his family are doing what they think is best for The Yankees in building a new ballpark. However, I am old-school in that I can't bring my heart into line with what I see visually - a stunningly beautiful new ballpark, but it's NOT Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium is where it is at this moment in time and always shall be for me. Thurman at the plate, cranking a 2-run double into the gap. The Mick, standing on 1st after lugging out a single when he knew he should have stopped playing a year before. Bob Shepard's magnificent voice addressing the 55,365 in attendance: "May I have your attention please, ladies and gentlemen. Now batting for the Yankees, number 23, Yankee Captain and first baseman, Don Mattingly, number 23". Joe 'Skip' Torre kissing George Steinbrenner, both in tears, holding The Trophy - more than once.

But most of all, there are words that cannot be derived for the intangibles of walking through the front door into The Stadium proper and being "home".

Kenny Solomon