About Yankee Stadium (Original)
The original Yankee Stadium, often called "The House That Ruth Built," was the most famous sports venue in America. Opening on April 18, 1923, it immediately became baseball's grandest stage, with its iconic white frieze adorning the upper deck roofline and Monument Park honoring Yankee legends beyond the outfield fence.
For 85 years the stadium hosted 37 World Series, 6,581 regular-season victories, and countless moments that defined American sports — from Babe Ruth's called shot (debated to this day) to Lou Gehrig's farewell speech, from Don Larsen's perfect game to Reggie Jackson's three-homer World Series game.
The stadium was extensively renovated in 1974-75 (the Yankees played at Shea Stadium during that time) and finally closed after the 2008 season. The last game was played on September 21, 2008, with the new Yankee Stadium opening across the street in 2009.
Fun facts
- The white frieze that adorned the roof became the most recognizable architectural feature in sports.
- Yankee Stadium was called "The House That Ruth Built" because Ruth's star power financed its construction.
- The stadium's famous Monument Park originally had monuments IN the field of play.
- Pope Paul VI celebrated mass here in 1965, and three popes have visited the Bronx site.
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