Yankees to unveil plan for ballpark

By wire services
Published June 15, 2005

NEW YORK - The Yankees plan to announce detailed plans today for a new $800-million ballpark, which would be built adjacent to the current Yankee Stadium and could be ready by the 2009 season.

The stadium would have a capacity of at least 50,800, about 6,000 fewer than the current park, but could be expanded to about 54,000. It would be constructed in Macombs Dam Park, north of the current stadium, and financed by the team, though the state and city would pitch in to improve parking and public transportation.

Yankee Stadium, which opened in 1923, is the third-oldest park in use in the major leagues, younger only than Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1914). Yankee Stadium was renovated extensively in 1974-75, but the team has long desired a modern ballpark with more luxury suites and wider concourses.

Plans call for the new ballpark to resemble the original Yankee Stadium in many details, and the playing field dimensions would be identical to the current ballpark. It would have 50-60 suites, up from 18.

Owner George Steinbrenner, New York Gov. George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg planned to attend the news conference, team spokesman Howard Rubenstein said. The Yankees hope to start construction in 2006 and move into the new ballpark in 2009, an ambitious timetable given the delays that frequently occur in construction in New York.

Also, Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui was in the lineup against the Pirates despite an injured right ankle, extending his streak to 388 games played.

GAGNE AILING: Dodgers closer Eric Gagne could be headed back to the disabled list with a recurrence of the right elbow problem that sidelined the All-Star for the first 35 games. Manager Jim Tracy said Gagne, who has converted 18 straight save situations dating to August, has a second-degree sprain in the ulnar collateral ligament.

PRESIDENT TABS LASORDA: Tom Lasorda is going to Japan at the request of President Bush. The former Dodgers manager was asked to represent the United States as a delegate at the World Exposition Friday-June 22 in Aichi.

CUBS: Right-hander Kerry Wood will make at least two more rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Iowa before returning to the rotation.

MARINERS: Third baseman Adrian Beltre was not in the lineup after straining his left hamstring over the weekend, but the team doesn't expect to put him on the disabled list.

ORIOLES: Left-hander Erik Bedard will probably spend another month on the disabled list with a strained ligament in his left knee, an injury the team thought would sideline its most effective starter for two weeks.

PHILLIES: Left-hander Randy Wolf may need Tommy John surgery after an MRI exam revealed ligament damage in his pitching elbow. Wolf was examined by team physician Michael Ciccotti, who recommended the operation. The pitcher will seek a second opinion.

RANGERS: Stanford first baseman John Mayberry Jr., the son of former major-leaguer John Mayberry and Texas' first-round pick last week, signed.

TIGERS: Shortstop Carlos Guillen, the AL's second-leading hitter at .355, went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 8 with a pulled left hamstring.

[Last modified June 15, 2005, 00:44:10]