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Yankee Stadium Mezzanine Section Sign - Mickey Mantle #7
The original Yankee Stadium was "The House That Ruth Built," as the Yankees were tenants of the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan in New York City. Ruth's great success and enormous drawing power filled the stands at the nearby Polo Grounds and caused the Yankees to want their own stadium, which they built across the Harlem River in the Bronx. The original Yankee Stadium was constructed in 1922-23 at a cost of 2.4 million dollars, and it was the first three-tiered sports structure in the United States. Presented is a "Mezzanine Section 7" sign that was used in the original Yankee Stadium. That original Yankee Stadium lasted from 1923-2008, except for 1974-75 when it was closed for renovations. The first Yankee Stadium was deliberately designed to suit Babe Ruth and his left-handed swing, as the right-field fence was originally set at only 295 feet from home plate. The first Yankee Stadum was a mecca for college football, as N.Y.U. (96 times), Army (38 games), Notre Dame (24 games), and Fordham (19 contests), all played there frequently. The New York Football Giants used the original Yankee Stadium as their home turf from Oct. 21, 1956, through Sept.23, 1973. The great 1958 NFL Championship was held at the old stadium, a contest between the Giants and the Baltimore Colts called "The Greatest Pro Football Game Ever Played." The famous World Heavyweight Championship Louis-Schmeling fight was held at the original Yankee Stadium in 1939, when Joe Louis defeated Max Schmeling. Many other great fighters appeared there as well: Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Sugar Ray Robinson, etc. The New York Yankees won 26 of their total 27 Championships while using the original Yankee Stadium as the club's home field, and the Yankees actually clinched nine World Series at the old Yankee Stadium. Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech in 1939, Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956, and Roger Maris' 61st home run, to pass Ruth, all took place at the first Yankee Stadium. The offered metal Mezzanine Section 7 sign measures 10.9x38", and it weighs 50 ounces. The sign is black, with white letters and numerals. One side of the sign reads: "MEZZANINE SECTION 7." The reverse side reads: "7 MEZZANINE SECTION." Two holes, each about 0.25", have been drilled at the top to allow for hanging the sign. The sign exhibits signs of extended use: There are some scratch marks, some stains, some small rust marks, and some minor paint loss. The side of the sign that reads "MEZZANINE SECTION 7" is in good condition and shows significantly fewer signs of use than the reverse side, particularly on the numeral "7," which has a number of stains and scratches. One of the top corners of the sign has a dent of about 0.25". The new Yankee Stadium is across from the site of the original Yankee Stadium, and although the displayed sign is from the original Yankee Stadium, we do not know from what time period it was used there. The fact that the sign is from the original, historic Yankee Stadium makes it a valued collectible.
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