I’m not the greatest writer in the world, and I don’t intend on this being anything special, but with such a big part of my past coming to a close, I feel that I should have something written down about it.

Yesterday, September 21^st, 2008, Yankee Stadium held what would be the last game there. EVER. I knew it was coming, but I never expected what I witnessed on TV throughout the day..

I had been well aware for quite some time, that a new Yankee Stadium was in the works. There had been a ground breaking across the street, and as I went to games this season, I witnessed the progress of the new home to the Yankees as of the 2009 season.

As the 2008 season went by, the chances of the playoffs slowly dwindled, something I had never experienced in my 17 years of living. I have always been a Yankee fan for as long as I can remember, and plan on it staying that way for as long as I am alive, but last night, a chapter in my life, and the life of the New York Yankees was ended.

At 8 AM yesterday, my dad and I turned on the news to see fans already lined up outside for a game that wasn’t scheduled to start for more then 12 hours later. From that point on, my TV channels were limited to the YES Network, and ESPN, for the rest of the day.

At 1 pm, when people were let inside to monument park, and to walk the warning track, I got chills, wishing a were lucky enough to be there, but not being sure if I would be strong enough to be a part of what was going on. The fans filtered in through the day, and the pre-game coverage started. I saw players that I grew up watching, that my dad grew up watching, and even that my grandparents grew up watching. The dugouts were packed, players upon players, legends upon legends, all trying to soak in the place that they called home, for most of their lifetime.

As the game started and Andy Pettitte threw the first pitch I couldn’t believe that this was the last game at 161^st street & river avenue. It continued, and each hit and homerun, was questioned as the last that the stadium would see. Jose Molina hit the last home run, Andy Pettitte had the last win, and of coarse, Mariano Rivera recorded the last out. Only fitting, the Yankees ended the game with a 7-3 victory, but although the game was over, the night was far from it.

Fans and players alike simply wouldn’t leave, and I cant say I wouldn’t have been the same. Derek Jeter’s speech to the fans brought me into an extreme sob, not like I wasn’t there already. Every word of what he said was true, and made me realize how lucky I am to be a part of a team that cares so much about their fans. As Jeter took his team around the field for one last time, I really thought it was the end. Still thought, it would be more then an hour before, autographs were signed, pictures were taken, and handfuls of dirt were stuffed into cups and pockets. Not until then were the players and fans finally asked to say their goodbyes, and leave the stadium.

After it all, today, I still don’t think its quite set in. I know its happening, and I know next season, ill have to watch my team in a new place. Although this year didn’t end with the championship we all wanted, maybe it was fitting that the last game at the stadium really be the last, for the closure that we all needed.

I’m still crying 24 hours later, watching videos, all time classic moments, and remembering how much happiness the New York Yankees have brought me for the past 17 years. So thank you Yankee Stadium, for everything that you have done, for both your players and your fans. I can only hope that we can create just as many fantastic memories when we move across the street.

Yankee Stadium 1923 - 2008 <3