Gate 2 Rumors Dispelled

Gate 2 Rumors Dispelled

- Why the effort to save Gate 2?

o Old Yankee Stadium has become iconic and the most important stadium in our history. Only the Roman Coliseum is more greatly recognized in terms of historical significance. Old Yankee Stadium has been host to some of the greatest events to ever take place. Along with being residence to the world’s most successful sports franchise ever, the New York Yankees, the stadium has hosted events that included Presidents of the United Stated, visitations and services by several Popes and Cardinals, bared witness to many religious groups and gatherings, hosted championship professional and college football teams, featured some of the great boxers in history, held multiple soccer matches, and been host to many other important events. Some of those include the historic memorial held at the Stadium to honor those lost on 9/11 as well at the celebration for Nelson Mandela to signify the end of apartheid in South Africa. Only Yankee Stadium was chosen to host these historic events. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Elston Howard, Pele’, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, and Josh Gibson are just a few names that paved the way for all the great men and women who would venture about this grand stadium. With Gate 2 being the only “original” element of the stadium from the 1920’s, Gate 2 would be the only piece of the stadium that has bared witness to these great events. Gate 2 also encompasses many important historical and architectural elements that adhere to the original stadium. Gate 2 will make a grand entrance for the new ballparks that are to be built on top of the Old Yankee Stadium site. Only Gate 2 can help represent the sheer size and majesty of the original stadium and only Gate 2 can fill the need for the aesthetic shortcomings of the current plan set forth by the New York City Parks Department. Gate 2 will be the only way we can share the marvelous history of this unrivaled and one of a kind stadium with people now, and for many future generations to come.

- Gate 2 will take up large amounts of valuable park space if it is saved!

o Due to Gate 2’s location along 161^st Street, saving Gate 2 will have no impact on the amount of park space that is available to the residents of the South Bronx. Gate 2 runs along the sidewalk and will take up “minimal” space at the new park. It will not only make the new ballparks look “majestic”, but will add to the character of the plan proposed by the New York City Parks Department. Only the Gate represent the sheer size and majesty of the original stadium and only Gate 2 can fill the need for the aesthetic shortcomings of the current plan set forth by the New York City Parks Department.

- There are other “original” parts of the stadium that are going to be saved and incorporated into the plan that the Parks Department has submitted. Gate 2 is not needed.

o It is a fact that the current plan set forth by the New York City Parks Department includes ZERO original physical elements or structures from the stadium. It must be noted that the original “frieze”, otherwise known as the “façade”, was completely destroyed in 1973. The metal was sold for scrap to a company in Albany, NY. The façade used in the stadium from 1976 until 2008 was just a concrete replica. The “smokestack”, otherwise known as the “bat”, was constructed during the renovation of the mid 1970’s. It is only decades old. Only Gate 2 is “original” from the 1920’s.

- Gate 2 will cause major delays in constructing the ballparks that are to be built at the old site.

o Saving Gate 2 will have very little impact in terms of delays of building the new ballparks. Due to Gate 2’s location, the gate has no impact on the fields themselves. In fact, local engineers and architects have proven that the gate can be made structurally sound within a matter of days.

- Gate 2 underwent major modifications during the renovations of the mid-1970s. It is not “original”.

o Gate 2 is in fact the ONLY original piece from the 1920’s. When the stadium underwent renovation during the 1970’s, only Gate 2 was sparred due to its location on 161^st. Street. Gate 2 is in fact, over 90% original, including the foundation. It is the only physical structure of the stadium that is still true to form and reflects the stadium as it was built in the 1920’s. Gate 2 can very easily, inexpensively, and quickly be touched up to appear exactly like the original.

- I read that there is a “volunteer” program in which works would want to work on Gate 2. Is this true?

o The Committee to Commemorate Old Yankee Stadium has created, developed, and proposed to the City of New York the "SAVE THE GATE Volunteer Worker Program", designed to eliminate all labor costs potentially associated with the saving of Gate 2 at Old Yankee Stadium, and other improvements to the new park design for the Old Yankee Stadium site. You can join with other architects, engineers, construction foremen and laborers, iron workers, cost estimators, lawyers, historians, preservationists, painters, masons, water proofers, safety and security professionals, insurance and contracts experts, among others - all helping to save this irreplaceable treasure. You can help SAVE THE GATE and otherwise transform the Old Yankee Stadium site into the preeminent park its majestic history compels. The more volunteers the better!!! All interested parties should contact the Committee to Commemorate Old Yankee Stadium; providing your name, applicable skill, trade or profession - as well as a brief description of the services and number of days you would like to volunteer. Help make the Old Yankee Stadium site a park worthy of its unparalleled history!!!

- The proposed commemorative bricks that will be used in the park will quickly erode and wear away. Also, fans will purchase bricks that will include inappropriate slogans, using terms such as, “Yankees Stink”, “I Hate the Yankees”, etc.

o The Commemorative Bricks that would be used in the park are constructed of the highest quality materials. These bricks have already been proven time after time to withstand all types of foot traffic, bicycle traffic, cart traffic, erosion, weathering, etc. These types of bricks are currently installed in dozens of ballparks and stadiums throughout the United States, and many have been in place now for over a decade. They have been proven to be more than durable. In fact, many ballparks and stadiums are adding addition “phases” of bricks as their initial “phase” was so successful.

· Each brick submission is carefully screened for inappropriate comments. There is a strict policy in place in which certain criteria must be met. No inappropriate bricks will ever be placed in the ballparks.

- Why did the effort to save Gate 2 begin so late?

o In reality the effort to save Gate 2 has never been late. We have been continually adapting to changes in the city’s plans. The reason that the effort to save just Gate 2 began so late is that we were told through various media outlets that originally the plan was to save the ENTIRE stadium, or a very large portion of it. It was the Mayor, the Bronx Borough President, the Parks Commissioner, and George Steinbrenner who all promised this to and for the citizens of the Bronx. Even up until as late as 2008, there were still reports that major sections of Old Yankee Stadium were going to be saved. As late as the spring of 2008, the tour guides at Old Yankee Stadium were saying “much” of the old stadium was going to be saved. It was only learned that in late 2008, the in fact, the ENTIRE stadium was going to be taken down and destroyed.

Please contact the Committee to Commemorate Old Yankee Stadium:

savethegate@gmail.com