Yankee Stadium: 1974 75 Renovation of the Original

Yankee Stadium: 1974 75 Renovation of the Original

The original Yankee Stadium, situated opposite the site of the current 2009 model just south of it across 161st Street in the Bronx, was getting old and run down. In 1970, plans were drafted to breathe new life into the historic ballpark, to update amenities and improve spectator views by removing the dozens of columns supporting the upper grandstands.

A system of weight and tension was employed: Extra rows of seats plus a new upper level concourse acted as the counterweight once the old columns were removed, and suspension-bridge grade steel cables would hold the upper decks back under capacity crowds.

After the end of the 1973 season, the renovations commenced, and work was complete by early 1976, in time for the Bicentennial baseball season.