Most iconic American Sports Venue?

[monte]

My little piece of history. Seat I sat on at last game of original Yankee Stadium in 1973. Wanted to take the entire seat but it was impossible to disassemble without tools, and would have even been more difficult to take home by train. 

[attachment=2390]6C932C21-EA58-4AD9-A949-D37A0D6B2306.jpeg[/attachment]

[attachment=2391]DA8BAC25-8A63-4758-9F49-F767229D2131.jpeg[/attachment]

Hahaha. For the record, back then they welcomed the help with demolition. Basically they said "take what you want". Just don't want you to think less of me then you already do. 

Both mets and Yankees were smarter when they closed both stadiums. They warned fans that vandalizing any property would result in arrests. Then sold seats, signs, even the foul poles.

Once the memorabilia market exploded, which it did by the time Shea and (renovated) Yankee Stadium closed, that was the end of the freebies. 

Yankees were actually selling full seats and seat backs (which you took).  I remember the YAnkees charges a lot more for a pair of seats (about $1400) than the Mets did (about $900).   My wife got me a pair of Met seats (Mezzanine green - the loge I sat in were sold out).

Nice Mets story.   I kept the box, unopened, in my garage for about 2 years.   When I finally decided to put them outside, when I opened the box, I had not noticed 2 neat holes through the side, made apparently by a forklift.   The metal frame of the seat is some sort of alloy, and the forklift cracked the frame in a clean break.    I called the Mets, and they told me that it was 2 years ago, and they couldn't do anything since a company in Indiana handled the removal, refurbishing, and shipping of the seats.   When I further explained why I had them in the box for two years, this guy told me he would make a call and see what he could do.   The Indiana company subsequently shipped two new seats to Citifield, and the guy I had spoken to drove them to my house himself, swapping out the broken ones.   Really nice guy, and he told me he had worked on curating the Mets Hall of Fame at Citifield.  I'm pretty sure this guy does some work on TV during games in the stands for SNY as well.    So, apart from the WIlpons, the Mets had some really great people in their organization.  

Very nice story. My Dad worked for many years  at both Shea and Citifield right up until a few months before he passed away at age 88. He had wonderful things to say about every single person in the Met organization except one person, who shall remain nameless since I don't want to speak ill of the dead. FWIW, that's the actual seat part that I took, not a seat back. 

 

[SJU85]

yankee stadium
fordham university gym - oldest division 1 gym - the most basketball games played there than any other basketball venue.
rio's maracana stadium - 1950 - held a world cup

10 I don't think Yankee Stadium was included because it's not the original. Personally, I don't even consider the refurbished YS as the original, since it was so very different from the original original stadium. Also, this is only for American venues. 

You could argue if that's the case maybe MSG shouldn't be there either as its the fourth version.  That argument probably falls apart though when you consider outside of one Word Series Championship, I can't think of any monumental or iconic event held at the new Yankee Stadium while most of the iconic events happened at the old one (Babe Ruth's remains for a public viewing, Masses held by two Popes, Nelson Mandela speech, numerous World Series, NFL Championships, just to name a few).

However, I would argue some monumental and iconic events held at MSG, were held at MSG IV, the new one such as Ali-Frazier I and II,  Several Democratic and at least one Republican National Conventions, also so I can't argue with its selection.  Outside of one Word Series Championship, two NBA titles, on NHL title, NCAA Eastern Regional Semis and Finals, NITs and concerts by some of the greatest entertainers of all times.

So in other words, I agree with you Monte.

 

[SJU85]

My little piece of history. Seat I sat on at last game of original Yankee Stadium in 1973. Wanted to take the entire seat but it was impossible to disassemble without tools, and would have even been more difficult to take home by train. 

[attachment=2390]6C932C21-EA58-4AD9-A949-D37A0D6B2306.jpeg[/attachment]

I was at that game also, upper deck in right field with my dad.  People were taking out seats (some actually did have tools) and I wanted my father to do the same but he wouldn't do it.  At the end of the game, they let the fans walk onto the field.  We had a couple of soda cups and ripped up some grass and replanted it in the backyard at home.  I'd rather have the seat back.

 

[beast of the east]

My little piece of history. Seat I sat on at last game of original Yankee Stadium in 1973. Wanted to take the entire seat but it was impossible to disassemble without tools, and would have even been more difficult to take home by train. 

[attachment=2390]6C932C21-EA58-4AD9-A949-D37A0D6B2306.jpeg[/attachment]

[attachment=2391]DA8BAC25-8A63-4758-9F49-F767229D2131.jpeg[/attachment]

Hahaha. For the record, back then they welcomed the help with demolition. Basically they said "take what you want". Just don't want you to think less of me then you already do. 

Both mets and Yankees were smarter when they closed both stadiums. They warned fans that vandalizing any property would result in arrests. Then sold seats, signs, even the foul poles.

Once the memorabilia market exploded, which it did by the time Shea and (renovated) Yankee Stadium closed, that was the end of the freebies. 

Yankees were actually selling full seats and seat backs (which you took).  I remember the YAnkees charges a lot more for a pair of seats (about $1400) than the Mets did (about $900).   My wife got me a pair of Met seats (Mezzanine green - the loge I sat in were sold out).

Nice Mets story.   I kept the box, unopened, in my garage for about 2 years.   When I finally decided to put them outside, when I opened the box, I had not noticed 2 neat holes through the side, made apparently by a forklift.   The metal frame of the seat is some sort of alloy, and the forklift cracked the frame in a clean break.    I called the Mets, and they told me that it was 2 years ago, and they couldn't do anything since a company in Indiana handled the removal, refurbishing, and shipping of the seats.   When I further explained why I had them in the box for two years, this guy told me he would make a call and see what he could do.   The Indiana company subsequently shipped two new seats to Citifield, and the guy I had spoken to drove them to my house himself, swapping out the broken ones.   Really nice guy, and he told me he had worked on curating the Mets Hall of Fame at Citifield.  I'm pretty sure this guy does some work on TV during games in the stands for SNY as well.    So, apart from the WIlpons, the Mets had some really great people in their organization.  

Very nice story. My Dad worked for many years  at both Shea and Citifield right up until a few months before he passed away at age 88. He had wonderful things to say about every single person in the Met organization except one person, who shall remain nameless since I don't want to speak ill of the dead. FWIW, that's the actual seat part that I took, not a seat back. 

 

I would always chat with the ushers and workers at Citi and Shea.   The organization seemed to stress at some point the fans are clients, and when you treat the clients nicely, it enhances the game experience.   Especially at Citi, and I'm going to guess the best were placed in the areas of the most expensive seats, those guys greeted you when you arrived, and wished you safe home when you left.   Not surprised if your dad wasn't one of those very good guys.  

 

[SJU85]

My list of Iconic American existing Sports Venue (no necessarily in order).

• MSG
• Wrigley Field 
• Fenway Park
• Rose Bowl
• Astrodome
• LA Coliseum

If we were to include venues that are no longer around:

• Original Yankee Stadium (would be at the top of the list) 
•  Boston Garden

 

[monte]

My little piece of history. Seat I sat on at last game of original Yankee Stadium in 1973. Wanted to take the entire seat but it was impossible to disassemble without tools, and would have even been more difficult to take home by train. 

[attachment=2390]6C932C21-EA58-4AD9-A949-D37A0D6B2306.jpeg[/attachment]

[attachment=2391]DA8BAC25-8A63-4758-9F49-F767229D2131.jpeg[/attachment]

Hahaha. For the record, back then they welcomed the help with demolition. Basically they said "take what you want". Just don't want you to think less of me then you already do. 

Both mets and Yankees were smarter when they closed both stadiums. They warned fans that vandalizing any property would result in arrests. Then sold seats, signs, even the foul poles.

Once the memorabilia market exploded, which it did by the time Shea and (renovated) Yankee Stadium closed, that was the end of the freebies. 

Yankees were actually selling full seats and seat backs (which you took).  I remember the YAnkees charges a lot more for a pair of seats (about $1400) than the Mets did (about $900).   My wife got me a pair of Met seats (Mezzanine green - the loge I sat in were sold out).

Nice Mets story.   I kept the box, unopened, in my garage for about 2 years.   When I finally decided to put them outside, when I opened the box, I had not noticed 2 neat holes through the side, made apparently by a forklift.   The metal frame of the seat is some sort of alloy, and the forklift cracked the frame in a clean break.    I called the Mets, and they told me that it was 2 years ago, and they couldn't do anything since a company in Indiana handled the removal, refurbishing, and shipping of the seats.   When I further explained why I had them in the box for two years, this guy told me he would make a call and see what he could do.   The Indiana company subsequently shipped two new seats to Citifield, and the guy I had spoken to drove them to my house himself, swapping out the broken ones.   Really nice guy, and he told me he had worked on curating the Mets Hall of Fame at Citifield.  I'm pretty sure this guy does some work on TV during games in the stands for SNY as well.    So, apart from the WIlpons, the Mets had some really great people in their organization.  

Very nice story. My Dad worked for many years  at both Shea and Citifield right up until a few months before he passed away at age 88. He had wonderful things to say about every single person in the Met organization except one person, who shall remain nameless since I don't want to speak ill of the dead. FWIW, that's the actual seat part that I took, not a seat back. 


 

I would always chat with the ushers and workers at Citi and Shea.   The organization seemed to stress at some point the fans are clients, and when you treat the clients nicely, it enhances the game experience.   Especially at Citi, and I'm going to guess the best were placed in the areas of the most expensive seats, those guys greeted you when you arrived, and wished you safe home when you left.   Not surprised if your dad wasn't one of those very good guys.  

He was Beast, thanks. Had executive office post at Shea, and just outside Wilpon/Katz suite at Citified. He saw and heard a lot. I've said to my kids countless times when they complain about being tired "at 88 years old, you're Grandfather would stand on his feet from 4:00PM(for a night game) usually until about 11:00PM(1 hour after the game ended), with a 1 hour lunch break and two 15 minute breaks. So stop you're whining!" lol 

 

[BrookJersey Redmen]

My two cents:

*Original Yankee Stadium, considering it was where Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle played, wow

*Fenway Park, where Babe Ruth and Ted Williams played

*Madison Square Garden, of all iterations, home to great basketball, the Johnnies, Rangers, Knicks, and great boxing and entertainment.

* Ebbets Field, home of dem Bums (I was told I was there, but honestly I was too young to remember, it was right near my dad's Firehouse)

(I only picked places I've been to in person)

 

 

[MainMan]

The greatest moment in American sports happened at a small hockey arena in Lake Placid. So I'll nominate that. 

 

[monte]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 2-1.  That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 

 

[mjmaherjr]

The greatest moment in American sports happened at a small hockey arena in Lake Placid. So I'll nominate that. 

That's a greta outside the box pick

 

[bamafan]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 1-0. That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 

Didn't know you wrote fiction in addition to your acting chops. /media/kunena/emoticons/grin.png

 

[monte]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 1-0. That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 

Didn't know you wrote fiction in addition to your acting chops. /media/kunena/emoticons/grin.png

Can't believe you actually took the time to read that. I'm flattered that you think that the story is so hard to believe, that it's fiction. 

 

[Eric]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 1-0. That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 


I hope that’s a true story.  Either way.  Great write up!!
 

 

[section10]

you knocked in 2 runs in a 1 to 0 game?
was your hit disqualified because you failed a drug test? was the bat illegally corked?
asking for a friend.

 

[Knight]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 1-0. That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 

So there was joy in Monteville! Time to extend that magic to Johnniesville.

 

[monte]

you knocked in 2 runs in a 1 to 0 game?
was your hit disqualified because you failed a drug test? was the bat illegally corked?
asking for a friend.

hahah Good catch 10. 2-1 game. Gotta go back and correct that. Math was never my strong suit 

 

[monte]

For me personally, Field 6 at The Parade Grounds is my iconic sports venue. Hollow ground if ever there was. Got the biggest hit of my lifetime on that field against Bobby Reedy, who played for Thomas  Jefferson and got drafted by the Pirates in 79'. Kid had 2 pitches: An unhitable curve that he set up with a  blinding fastball . Over a 2 year period I probably faced Reedy 20 times, and he struck me out 19 of those times. But this one day the baseball Gods were looking over me and my teammates. After losing the first game of a double header 18-1(mercy rule) against the 2nd best team in the league, Gil Hodges, we were faced with playing the best team in the league, Youth Service. On the same field no less. At the last minute, our ace Al Lopez(Bishop Ford) shows up, so we knew we had a punchers chance. Al was lights out, but so was Reedy. They were up 1-0 going to the bottom of the 6th. Reedy may have even had a no hitter going. In the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs, we managed to get 2 runners on by a walk and an error. Then a wild pitch moves them up to 2nd and 3rd......and I come to the plate. Reedy stares down at me as if to say "You got no shot sucka", and before I could blink he throws 2 fastballs by me for strikes. Down 0-2, I step out of the box, and say to myself  "just don't strike out. Whatever you do Monte, just put the ball in play". Reedy wasn't going to mess around with a curve. He was looking to blow me away on 3 pitches. I knew that. Didn't mean I could hit him, but at least I knew what was coming. I choked up and crouched down. Anything to shrink the strike zone and give me the best chance of putting the bat on the ball. Next pitch; fastball slightly up, but across the middle of the plate, which I promptly lined over Reedy's head in to center field for a 2 run single. Lopez shut them down in the top of the 7th and we win 1-0. That's it, biggest hit of my life. What can I say,  I peaked at 16. Field 6 at The Parade Grounds will be my Field of Dreams till the day I die. 


I hope that’s a true story.  Either way.  Great write up!!

 

100% true. Eric. Reedy info I was able to google and verify. Thank you.