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The New York Yankees are one of the most decorated baseball teams in history. With 26 World Series championships and 39 American League Pennants they have more championships than any other North American franchise in professional sports history.
The New York Yankees are based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City , New York and are members of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Yankees are one of American League's eight charter franchises and was first founded in Baltimore , Maryland in 1901. From 1923 to 2008, the Yankees have been playing at Yankee Stadium. In 2009, the Yankees are scheduled to move to their new stadium, also to be called 'Yankee Stadium'. In the early years, pitcher-turned-outfielder Babe Ruth came from the Boston Red Sox and the outcome of the trade would haunt the Red Sox for the next 86 years. This bore one of the greatest sports rivalries in history.
Babe Ruth's home run total of 60 in 1927 set a single season home run record that would stand for 34 years. At the same time, first baseman Lou Gehrig had his first big season, batting .373 with 47 home runs. When Babe Ruth retired, a new giant came on to the roster - Joe DiMaggio. The Yankees went on to win an unprecedented four World Series wins from 1936 to 1939. By the early 50's DiMaggio retired and the new kid on the block was Mickey Mantle. With the help of Mickey Mantle, pitcher Whitey Ford, and catcher Yogi Berra, the Yankees won the World Series five consecutive times from 1949 to 1953, which continues to be the major league record.
The 60's also saw success for the Yankees. With the acquisition of outfielder Roger Maris the Yankees won the pennant and the World Series. Maris also beat Babe Ruth's record for home runs by hitting 61 home runs that season. Under owner George Steinbrenners tutelage in the 1970's, Yankee Stadium was renovated and the era of free agency was born. Throughout the late 1970s, the Yankees often found themselves face to face with rivals the Red Sox for the pennant. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry was at an all time high and there were frequent fights erupting between players and fans. The 1980's started off slow for the Yankees as they would go into their longest absence from the playoffs since 1921. Their poor performance throughout the 1980s and 1990s would soon change though when in 1995 Joe Torre was brought on as coach. Their 18 year old drought ended that year when they beat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.
In 1998 the Yankees had what is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest teams in baseball history, earning a then-AL record of 114 regular season wins against just 48 losses and then defeating the San Diego Padres in the 1998 World Series. Their 125 combined regular and post season wins is still a major league record. The Yankees also went on to win the 1999 World Series. The New York Yankees are the last major league team to repeat as World Series champion. The following seven years were marked by successful regular seasons and playoff appearances, but no World Series win.
In 2001 they won the pennant for a fourth straight year, from 1998-2001. 2003 saw the Yankees with the best record in the league and advance to, but then lost, the World Series. In 2006 the Yankees swept the Red Sox in five games, known as the 'Second Boston Massacre' to win the AL East for the ninth consecutive year but again lost in the ALDS. At the end of the season in 2007, Joe Torre left the Yankees and went to California to become the new head coach for the Dodgers. After Joe Torre's departure the Yankees signed former catcher Joe Girardi to a three-year contract to manage the club. The 2008 season marked the last season played at the historic Yankee Stadium and the team will now move to New Yankee Stadium, which is right next o the current stadium.
The final regular season game at Yankee Stadium was played on September 21, 2008. After the game, which they won 7-3 against the Baltimore Orioles, Derek Jeter addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years. He urged them to "take the memories of this field, add them to the new memories that will come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them on from generation to generation." The Yankees players then circled the field and saluted the thousands of applauding fans, to the sound of " New York , New York ".
New York Yankees Stadium Information:
This year the New York Yankees will find themselves playing at a new stadium - the new Yankee Stadium. The new stadium will replace and keep the name of the previous Yankee Stadium, which was built in 1923. The new ballpark is across the street from the previous stadium and will open on April 3, 2009. New Yankee Stadium is the second most expensive stadium ever built, after London 's new Wembley Stadium, and cost a projected 1.6 billion to build. The new Yankee Stadium is 63 percent larger than the current Yankee Stadium with 500,000 additional square feet.
The new stadium will consist of two separate structures - a limestone exterior wall that will circle the perimeter of the property which will resemble the old Yankee Stadium and the interior will be a modern ballpark. It will feature a reproduction of the copper frieze that lined the inner wall of Yankee Stadium's upper deck until 1973. Between the perimeter wall and the stadium will be over a million square feet of retail space titled the 'great hall'.
Field dimensions at the new stadium will be identical to the old stadium and the new stadium will seat 51,000 fans, about 5,000 less than the previous stadium. The new seating will be spaced outward in a bowl which will put fans further back but lower to the field. Each level of seating will feature a "premium seating" section which will cushioned seats, cup holders, and access to private bars, clubs and restrooms. In addition wireless internet will be available throughout the stadium.
New York Yankees Stadium Parking:
The new Yankee Stadium is located one block from Yankee Stadium at 161st Street and River Avenue , Bronx , New York .
Because the new Yankee Stadium will be located one block from Yankee Stadium, current modes of transportation for travel to and from Yankee Stadium will stay the same. Also, in April 2009, a new Metro North station will be located within walking distance of the new Yankee Stadium.
Subway :
The Yankee Stadium Subway stop is located right outside the Stadium at the corner of 161st St. and River Ave. The Stadium can be reached by several subway lines and a trip from midtown Manhattan takes less than 25 minutes. The #4 train, as well as the B (on weekdays only) and D trains make stops at 161st St. /Yankee Stadium. Metro North train service to Connecticut and Westchester County is available at the 125th St. subway stop
Buses :
Several New York Transit Authority Bus Lines provide convenient service to Yankee Stadium. The BX 6, BX 13 and BX 55 buses stop at 161st St. /Grand Concourse, only a short walk from the Stadium.
Driving Directions :
From Manhattan:
From The East Side
Take FDR Drive North to Exit 18 ( Willis Ave. Bridge ). Cross bridge and follow signs for the Major Deegan Expressway/Interstate 87 North to Exit 4 ( 149th street ) or Exit 5 ( 155th Street ).
From The West Side
Take Henry Hudson Parkway North to Exit 14 Cross Bronx Expressway /Interstate 95 North. Follow 1-95 North to Exit 1C (Major Deegan Expressway Exit) South to Exit 6 ( 161st Street ).
Directions from Brooklyn and Queens:
Take the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway (Interstate 278) to the Grand Central Parkway west to the Triboro Bridge . Once over the bridge follow signs to the Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87) north and proceed to Exit 4 ( 149th Street ) or Exit 5 ( 155th Street Exit).
Directions from Staten Island:
From the Verrazano Bridge
Cross over the bridge and follow the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway (Interstate 278) to the Grand Central Parkway . Go West to the Triboro Bridge . Once over the bridge follow signs to the Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87) north and proceed to Exit 4 ( 149th Street ) or Exit 5 ( 155th Street Exit).
From the Goethels Bridge
Cross the Bridge and follow the New Jersey turnpike (Interstate 95) north to the George Washington Bridge . Cross bridge and take Exit 1C to the Major Deegan (Interstate 87) south to Exit 6 ( 161st Street Exit).
Directions from Long Island:
From the Throgs Neck or Whitestone Bridge
Take either bridge to the Cross-Bronx Expressway (Interstate 95) South. Follow to Exit 1C the Major Deegan / Interstate 87 South Exit. Continue on the Major Deegan to Exit 6 ( 161st Street ).
From the Cross Island Parkway
Proceed North to the Grand Central Parkway West to the Triboro Bridge . Once over the bridge follow signs to the Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87) north and proceed to Exit 4 ( 149th Street ) or Exit 5 ( 155th Street Exit).
Directions from New Jersey:
Take the George Washington Bridge to the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the Major Deegan (Interstate 87) South, Exit 1C. Continue on the Major Deegan to Exit 6 (161st).
Take the George Washington Bridge to the Cross Bronx Expressway to Exit 2, Jerome Avenue South .
Take the George Washington Bridge to Harlem River Drive to the 155th Street exit. Cross the Macombs Dam Bridge and follow signs to the stadium.
Directions from Connecticut:
Take Interstate 95 South to the Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87) South. Continue on the Major Deegan to Exit 6 ( 161st Street ).
Take Interstate 95 South to the Bruckner Expressway (Interstate 278) West. Follow the Bruckner Expressway to the Major Deegan (Interstate 87) North. Take Exit 4 ( 149th Street ) or Exit 5 ( 155th Street ).
Take the Merritt Parkway South to Hutchinson River Parkway South . Follow to Cross County Parkway West to NY State Thruway (Interstate 87) South. Thruway becomes Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87 Still). Follow to exit 6 ( 161st Street ).
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