All-Star Memories Captured in Yankee Stadium Legacy

Ysponder

http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?A=9730
Jul 14 2008 1:16PM


Among the 6,661 cards in Upper Deck's groundbreaking Yankee Stadium Legacy program is a trio of singles designed to commemorate three of the most noteworthy events ever held at the grand old ballpark.

Before this week's All-Star Game, Yankee Stadium had hosted three editions of the Midseason Classic. And each of these contests is captured in the YSL series, making for three of the most collectible cards in a set that continues to reveal new and exciting ways to enjoy it.

The fans in attendance practically were cheering for the home side in 1939, as six Yankees were among the nine American League starters at the first-ever All-Star Game held in New York. Alongside Joe DiMaggio, who is pictured on the commemorative YSL card, were battery mates Red Ruffing and Bill Dickey, infielders Red Rolfe and Joe Cronin and outfielder George Selkirk. Two more pinstripers were on the pitching staff and an additional duo was counted among the reserves, including first baseman Lou Gehrig. The team, which beat the Nationals 3-1, was even managed by Yankees' skipper Joe McCarthy.

The 1960 contest actually was the back end of a doubleheader, part of a short-lived experiment that saw each league host a game at the break. Though the AL was mowed down 6-0, the home fans were treated to a lineup that featured seven Yankees, including Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Roger Maris, Bill Skowron and starter Whitey Ford, who is seen on the YSL single.

The Midseason Classic returned to the House That Ruth Built in 1977, and again, the home side fell short, but they were treated to appearances by some of the finest ever to don the uniform, including YSL honoree Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Sparky Lyle. Each of these cards holds a special place of honor among the list of Yankee Stadium Legacy singles.

Fans attending this year's event, the record-tying fourth to be held at the stadium, will be treated to more than just a game for the ages. As a prelude to the Yankees move to their new stadium next year, Upper Deck has built a beautiful new home in which to display the entire 6,661-card Yankee Stadium Legacy insert set. The set is now on display at Upper Deck's corporate booth at the 2008 MLB All-Star FanFest show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

If UD's employees didn't realize the full scope of what they'd created, they certainly do now.

"It took nearly three days for a staff of four to pull each of the cards and then another two days for a staff of four to collate them in the proper order," said Terry Melia, Public Relations manager for Upper Deck. "The display is an impressive way for us to showcase the enormity of the set. We had nine decades to cover, so each of the 18 drawers contains approximately half a decade's worth of games. If placed end-to-end, the set would measure 1,943 feet long."

A final decision on where the Yankee Stadium Legacy Collection display case will ultimately reside has yet to be made. "We've been approached by the Yankees, so this could make a nice addition to the new stadium," said Melia. "But we've also received inquiries from the Museum of the City of New York. It's important that the display case reaches a final destination where baseball fans and historians alike can appreciate its historical significance. That's what makes card collecting fun and that's what this set is all about."

Now that all 6,661 cards have been released, it is possible that some collectors will be able to put the entire set together. The collection features one card for every single Yankee home game ever played at Yankee Stadium since its doors opened on April 18, 1923. Collectors already in pursuit of the YSL collection have been using a special website, that Upper Deck designed that allows them to archive the cards online and track their progress against fellow collectors.

Representatives from Major League Baseball recently paid a recent visit to Upper Deck headquarters to see the complete set. To view the video highlights, click on the link and search for Upper Deck Releases the Yankees Legacy card series.