Recalling a visit to Yankee Stadium

New York Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera heads to the bullpen for the last time Sunday night.

The following is an e-mail I received from staff writer Fred Petke on a trip to Yankee Stadium, which played host to its last home game Sunday night.

“It’s been three years since I went to Yankee Stadium. I was in New York three years ago with my stepmother, who is a lifelong Yankees fan. I’m a casual baseball fan. Neither of us had been to the House that Ruth Built. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, especially since we were already in town for vacation. Besides, she bought the tickets. 

I was struck by how narrow the public walkways were, and we saw most of them while trying to find our seats in far right field on the top level. But we were there, on a drizzly night to watch a playoff game. It was amazing just to be there, to feel the history and tread such hallowed ground. We both reached for our cell phones, looking for someone to call. Sharon called her brother, who was a big sports fan in his own right. I called the sports editor at the paper, only too glad to gloat about where i was. He was too busy with Friday night high school football to care that I was in Brooklyn watching the Yankees. He was a Braves fan anyway.

Sharon’s been in New York the last few days with her sister-in-law. They went back to Yankee Stadium, to take in one of the last games. It’s sad to see this history leave us, as has Crosley Field, Comiskey Park, Tiger Stadium and the Polo Grounds. I just have to make it to Wrigley Field and Fenway Park before they go away.”

Have you been to Yankee Stadium? If so, let me hear about it. …