The Yankees invited the media to tour the construction of new Yankee Stadium today. Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost led the tour.

The front of the stadium is already up and if you're driving by on the Deegan you can see the words "Yankee Stadium" across the top of the front gate, built to resemble the old limestone and granite "front door" to the original Yankee Stadium built in 1923.

That's a key element to me. The building we now call Yankee Stadium looks nothing like the original building from the outside. The remodeling job done in the 1970's, while preserving the playing field, actually took away nearly every similarity to the original Yankee Stadium everywhere else. That's one reason why I can't get as sentimental as some others. This building that is being torn down is only 30+ years old to me. The building that's going up now looks much more like the old place and that's the nostalgia that I appreciate.

On the inside, they've already started putting up the famous Yankee Stadium facade. Technically, it's actually called a "frieze," not a facade. The original was made of copper and turned green after many years. The new one is made of steel and painted white, and there are 39 pieces of it being installed just as it looked in the old Yankee Stadium. Again, much cooler than the way it looks right now.

The inside of the stadium will begin to slowly take shape over the next year. Monument Park will be a major attraction in dead centerfield, with a batter's eye sports bar right above it, and a monstrous hi-def scoreboard above that. From the booklets that were handed out, it also appears that many hi-def televisions will be placed in the common areas near concession stands and such, so that you will not miss a second of the action when you take little Jimmy or Susie out for a hot dog or souvenir.

In addition to regular concession stands, there will be two other restaurants that will actually stay open all year long. There is also a museum and a business & conference center. Everything is so up to date technically that there will even be a concession stand where all food is served in pill form like on The Jetsons. Okay, so I made that last part up…but you get the idea.

Now, as you can see in the pictures (taken by FAN web genius Ryan Warren), this is still a long way from completion. I mean, someone better move all those cranes and stray beams or else Derek Jeter could really get hurt out there! But the construction is moving along nicely on what is now a $1.3 billion dollar project.

Mr. Trost assured me that they have inspected all the seat locations and he believes all the sightlines are very good. And while this building clearly has the corporate luxury suite buyer in mind, they are trying not to price out the average fan. Mr. Trost told us that 55% of the seats (that's approximately 29,150 of the 53,000 capacity, including standing room) would be priced at $45 dollars or less.

It's still not going to be a cheap event for a family of 4, but this is the House that Jeter/A-Rod/Posada/Rivera and the rest Built. With a $200 million dollar payroll and the need to replace one historic playground with another, you knew it was going to be pricey. Just don't feel like you have to be sitting next to the dugout to see the Red Sox. There's nothing wrong with sitting in the upper level to see Tampa Bay. You're still there to see the guys in pinstripes, and they will begin creating new memories for you in 2009.

New Yankee Stadium Facts

• Stadium Interior: Fans will be greeted by the Great Hall upon their entrance to the Stadium, linking the Yankees of the past with the Yankees of today. Spanning 31,000 square feet from behind home plate down the right-field line, the Great Hall will be adorned with pennants of former Yankees greats as well as a 24' x 36' big screen high-def TV.


• Video Screens: The 58' x 103' high-def TV will be located in center field and is six times larger than the video board of the current stadium.


• Monument Park: Will be moved to it original position behind center field.


• Yankees Museum: The new Stadium will include a Yankees museum down the right field line, featuring baseball artifacts as well as an interactive area for adults and children.


• Unique Dining: The new Yankee Stadium will feature several eclectic dining options:
  • Air Conditioned Sports Bar located in center field above Monument Park with views of the field.
  • A 2,600 square foot Martini Bar overlooking the Great Hall.
  • Outdoor Food Court, designed for the bleacher fans, will be above the Sports Bar, overlooking center field.
  • Yankees Steak House and Grill Room will be a bi-level restaurant open year round

Enjoy the pictures. Talk to you next week from Tampa when pitchers and catchers report.


Thanks for reading. Send comments and questions to Yankees@wfan.com.

Sweeny