The House that Ruth Built
On April 18, 1923 – 1923: Costing $2.5 million, the new ballpark in the Bronx opens to an overflow crowd of 74,200. The New York Times reports that another 25,000 are turned away and the gates are closed half an hour before the start of the game. New York Gov. Al Smith throws out the first ball.
Officially, it’s Yankee Stadium. Unofficially, it’s “The House That Ruth Built,” nicknamed by sportswriter Fred Lieb. Appropriately enough, it’s the Babe who baptizes the stadium with its first home run. His three-run homer in the third inning leads the Yankees to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Before the game, Ruth is quoted as saying, “I’d give a year of my life if I can hit a home run in this first game in this new park.”
Two men are arrested for scalping. One offers to sell his $1.10 grandstand ticket for $1.25 and another wants $1.50 for his ticket. Both men are unable to post $500 bail and spend the night in jail.
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