Series I. Yankee Stadium Construction, 2007-2010, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series primarily consists of 1000 color photographs, principally of the construction of the new Yankee Stadium from 2007-2009 (most of the photographs are undated so it is not clear if any date from the earliest construction in 2006). The bulk are 11x14 inches, though there are several larger and smaller in size. The construction photos provide both panoramic views of the work's progress, as well as detailed views of particular aspects of the work, such as placing the signage in the outfield, laying the turf, unboxing the memorials moved from Monument Park, and doing ironwork. Close-ups of construction workers appear frequently. While the crews consisted mostly of men, several women crew members are found in the images as well.
In addition to the construction, there are photographs from the Yankees' opening season at the new park, as well as some final photos of the last days in the old Yankee Stadium. Shots from the Yankees' World Series appearance are in the series. Derek Jeter appears in many of these photos, and other then-current players appear as well. Former players, including Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson, appear in some photos, as do other notables, such as George Steinbrenner, Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, and Michael Bloomberg.
In addition to photographs, the series holds some memorabilia, including a poster, pins, a tee shirt, and some documents.
Arrangement
Most of the photographs remain in the boxes as received from the photographer. There is no particular order to them within boxes or across them. There are multiple prints of the same image, often found in various boxes and sizes. During processing, photographs signed by Burstein or annotated were placed at the front of the boxes. Also pulled together in this way were photos of game action, players, notable people, crowds at games, and other such photos not related to the construction process.
In the inventory below, the first nine boxes hold the 11x14 (and some 8x10) prints. These are followed by a box and a flat file of larger prints, and memorabilia.
Biographical / Historical
The New York Yankees, under the leadership of principal owner George M. Steinbrenner III (often referred to as "The Boss"), constructed a new stadium for the baseball team from 2006-2009. Groundbreaking was on 16 August 2006. During construction, which ran through the 2007 and 2008 seasons, the Yankees continued to play in the old stadium, which was just a block or so away. The 2009 season was the first played in the new stadium, starting with Opening Day on 16 April 2009. The Yankees had a successful year, winning the World Series (their 27th championship) in their first year in the new ballpark. The Yankees' opponent in the Series were the Philadelphia Phillies; the final, clinching game of the Series was played at the new stadium. Among the Yankees' leading players on that team were the "Core Four" of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettite, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada, as well as Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, and others.
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 1 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 2 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 3 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 4 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 5 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 6 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 7 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 8 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Box 9 of 9), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Construction Photographs (Flat box), 2007-2009, inclusive
Yankee Stadium Photographs, 2007-2009, inclusive
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five color photographs on foamcore. Unframed by Alan Balicki, April 2018.
32 x 53 inch: Image of letter Y being lowered to complete the stadium signage for the word "Yankee."
36 x 24 inch: 1) Monuments on the move: Gehrig monument shrinkwrapped and boxed, Ruth monument on pallet; 2) rooftop workers lowering the "A" in Yankee Stadium signage into place.
25 x 18 inch: 1) "A.J. Burnett practise [warm-up] pitch, World Series Game 2." Signed. Dated 2009; and 2) "Dugout, Yankee Stadium, 2009" signed [Includes players Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Mariano Rivera, among others].
Poster: "I was a flusher at 'The Big Flush' The New Yankee Stadium, February 28, 2009" (Flat box), 2009
Scope and Contents Note
Caption on back provided by Burstein in April 2018: "Yankee Stadium, Day all toilets were tested by flushing at once." Autographed by the flushers, including Plumbers Local Union No. 1. approx 22x17.
Miscellaneous Documents, 2006, 2010, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two documents: press kit for the new stadium's groundbreaking ceremony (2006) and "The Yankees Magazine" (October 2010). The press kit is still sealed, but the press release and program that were inside the kit were removed by the processing archivist and are in the folder as well.
Tee Shirt, 2009
Scope and Contents
Long sleeve T-shirt celebrating the Ironworkers Local 580 work on the new stadium, 2006-2009.with Yankees logo
Pins, 2007-2010, inclusive
Scope and Contents
5 pins, commemorating: the construction completion date of 17 February 2009 (2 pins); All-Star Game (2008); Postseason (2010); and Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry (2007).