Oh, to Be a Part of It: Thank You, Yankee Stadium

Emotions ran high, in a town filled with them daily, to pay tribute to a monument which has become as big a staple to New York as the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty.

Horrible planning on the part of Major League Baseball had the division rival Baltimore Orioles scheduled instead of long-time foes, the Boston Red Sox. This made some people view this game as pointless and something of no meaning.

The only reason for this game to be televised was to pay tribute to "the old ballpark." It was anything but meaningless.

Wily rookies and old time vets took in the sights, smells and splendor that is Yankee Stadium for the final time. The announcers of the game kept stating who had hit the final home run at this historic field.

Each Yankee relieved of duty before the end of the game came back out onto the field to get the ovation he deserved. Each pitch that was thrown could hardly be seen by the countless amounts of flashing cameras from the stands.

For a park that has drawn four million in attendance four years in a row, this just appeared to be another home game. The lights came on, the roar of the crowd was deafening, even the announcer of over 50 years had his say.

But when the lights of Yankee Stadium are turned off tonight and Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada have long gone home, the cleaning crew and security will be the last folks to look back out onto Yankee Stadium with their final memories.

"It ain't over, till it's over." But it's finally over. Thank you, Yankee Stadium, for 85 years of drama worthy of an Oscar. Not just in baseball, but football, too. The greatest game ever played featuring the Colts.

Then there was the greatest fighter ever to live. Remember when Ali knocked out Norton? The perfect fighter to step into the ring, Marciano, had his share of highlights there as well.

Yankee Stadium will never be turned into dust for those that paid the price of admission because every person that ever attended a game or event there will forever be in remembrance of the "House that Ruth Built." Or at least the one that was built for him.