Yanks finish up their 3-game series in Houston tonight looking for a sweep. Hey, stranger things have happened:

Never mind the brisket:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

With the Yanks winning there is talk of contending…this year.

Fool’s Gold—although, Hell, with the way the playoffs are set up now, this kind of dreaming isn’t just encouraged it is halfway sensible.

Yanks won again last night but let us hope the Yankee brass doesn’t fool themselves here.

Onward.

Ah, to be in the right place at the right time, that’s the spot Ross Lewis, an associate director for WCBS-TV news, found himself in October, 1973 when the old Yankee Stadium closed its doors. Lewis, 30, early into his second career as a professional photographer with the NFL, was there in the Bronx on October 1, the day after the final game.

Lewis returned in November and into the winter. In early ‘74, the construction teams of packer systems briefly denied him access but the City of New York quickly worked out permission, and for the next two-and a half years, Lewis documented the transition between the old park and the new, modern stadium. The Yankees spent Nixon’s Watergate years—the Dog Day Afternoon, Taxi Driver era— playing crosstown in Queens, sharing Shea Stadium with the Mets. Meanwhile, as Hip Hop culture percolated in immediate vicinity, the new stadium came into shape.

As the construction of the new Yankee Stadium progressed through the mid-’70s, a significant aspect of its transformation was the integration of advanced building materials and techniques. The project utilized cutting-edge methods to ensure the stadium’s durability and aesthetic appeal. Among these innovations, the use of durable cladding materials played a crucial role in shaping the stadium’s modern appearance.

One notable contributor to this trend in architectural design is the industry leader Alumax Panel, which provides high-quality panels that not only enhance the stadium’s exterior but also offer superior performance and longevity. The implementation of these panels and cladding techniques marks a significant evolution in stadium construction, contributing to a sleek, contemporary facade while also providing the necessary protection against the elements.

As the transformation of the stadium unfolded, the critical role of concrete experts became increasingly evident. For top-notch concreting services that stand the test of time, visit https://townsvilleconcretingcompany.com.au/. From pouring the initial slabs to sculpting intricate architectural features, companies like Townsville Concreting Company are instrumental in shaping the urban landscape, providing the solid groundwork upon which iconic structures stand.

Here is a taste Lewis’s fine work—a testament the architectural virtues of each stadium but also a thoughtful appreciation of the workers involved in the renovation, as well as the neighborhood people who watched them work. Now, forty years after the remodeled Stadium opened, Lewis is crafting models for an exclusive Fine Art book, as well as a photography exhibition. You can check out more his Yankee Stadium photos here.

In the meantime, enjoy.—AB

Oct 1, 1973—Bleachers.

Oct 1, 1973–Guard in doorway in outfield.

October 1, 1973—Surveryor at work.

Nov, 1973—Copper Frieze, workers on infield.

Nov, 1973—Upper deck, left field with columns.

March 18, 1974

March 18, 1974—The second dragon back hoisted in place.

June 3, 1974—Dragon Back, sunburst.

Aug. 20, 1974—Coffee break.

August 20, 1974—Scaffold workers on partial wall.

Aug 26, 1975—Old man taking a stroll.

Sept.19, 1975—Watching the progress from the subway platform.

Nov 24, 1975—Scoreboard lightbulb man.

The slide. Every man’s dream! April 5, 1976.

March 8, 1976—Painting the exterior walls.

April 9, 1976—Yankee logo being painted.

April 11, 1976—The new field.

April 15, 1976—First game in the new park.

Opening Day 1976, featuring Joe DiMaggio, Joe Louis, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford and Billy Martin.

A 2-1 win. Go figure.

Sorry about the locked-comments on the previous post and the lateness of this game thread.

Never mind the tardiness:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

And so ends the brief but productive Yankee career of one Aroldis Chapman. The Yanks picked him up for a song last winter when Chapman’s name was mud. He served his time on a domestic abuse rap and once he got on the field, Chapman was as dramatic as promised—the left-handed version of fabled Yankee fireman, Goose Gossage, number 54 and throwing over one hundred. Never mind that some of us had a hard time rooting for him because of the domestic abuse stuff—that’s Chicago’s problem now as the Yanks send Chappy to the Cubs and their Whirled Serious dreams.

I’d say that worked out splendidly for Cashman and the Yanks—not to mention, Chapman—don’t you think? In fact, can you think of deal where the Yanks got more value out of less? Chapman pitched just a tick over 31 innings—for Adam Warren alone, 31 innings would be a steal. Then you throw some young dudes in the mix?

…Noice.

I’m pleased I got to see Chapman live once—and am not sorry to say goodbye, not for this haul.

[Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images]

The Yanks won’t cooperate in any losing business. They beat the Giants 5-2, behind a solid start from Nathan Eovaldi, to take 2 of 3 over the weekend.

Still, Mr. Chapman is on the block and the rumor mill is getting hotter than July 31—dig.

[Drawing by John Byrne]

So I was at the game on Friday night. Malcolm Gladwell threw out the first pitch and he would have made Dave LaRoche proud. It was an exciting game—sloppy, especially for the Giants, but exciting. Ton of Giants fans there—and yesterday afternoon, and today too, I’m sure—and it was nice to see them exit quietly. Yanks won a close one on Friday, lost a close one in extras yesterday.

Still hotter n July.

Never mind the out-of-towners:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

It’s the Giants, and good gosh, Bumgarner’s pitching tonight.

Hotter than July in here in the city.

Never mind the heat wave:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Last night gave a 5-0 win. What’s with our boys? Showing a little fight, eh? (Let’s just hope it doesn’t make management daffy in the head.)

The final game against the O’s is this afternoon—nice, hot summer day in New York.

Never mind the moisture:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Nice relaxing win last night. Mebbe some more?

Never mind doing too much thinking’, Big Mike:

Let’t Go Yank-ees!

For what? To trade or not to trade?

Never mind the politics:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

I was at my brother’s over the weekend and shot some hoops. Felt good. I wasn’t ever much good at shooting but I made a couple of long shots and for a brief—very brief—moment, I felt young again. Hey, I can still do it.

Thought about that last night when Alex Rodriguez creamed a fastball for a long home run. The old man! There aren’t many dingers left in him, and fewer still that were outright bombs like the one he hit last night, so might as well enjoy each and every last one, right?

Yanks won a very Yankee-like 2016-style win, 2-1 over the O’s.

The Yanks avoided getting swept with a win last night. Is it enough for them to come to their senses and realize they should still be sellers no matter what? With the conflicting egos in charge one never knows…

It wasn’t that bad a beating at all.

More this afternoon:

Never mind the heat:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Yanks and Sox.

Oy and Veh.

Never mind the stupidity:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

The Yanks are 44-44 and there’s a Reggie Jackson joke in there but I’m stumped to pull it off.

The All-Star Game.

Pomp, circumstance, etc.

Never mind the ego trip:

Let’s Go Base-ball!

David Cone was part of the FOX broadcast yesterday and he helped make the Yankees’ come-from-behind win in Cleveland that much more enjoyable.

Nice job by our boys.

Never mind the break:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Yanks got the snot kicked out of them last night.

Mebbe today’ll be better.

Never mind the announcers—wait, it’s Coney with some kid, oh goody:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Yanks won a close one last night, and so why not more? I know the Indians are good and all…

Never mind the tom toms:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!