New York Yankees Openers ― An Opening Day History of Baseball's Most Famous Team, 1903-2017

The New York Yankees—first known as the Highlanders—are perhaps baseball’s most storied team. They first played at Hilltop Park, then moved to the Polo Grounds, then Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium and back to the renovated Yankee Stadium. They also opened in historic Fenway Park, fondly remembered Shibe Park, Griffith Stadium, and all around the expanded leagues after 1961. This book details every opening-day celebration from 1903 to 2017, noting how each was affected by war, the economy, political protest and population shifts. The players are examined, along with the spectators, including President Eisenhower, who watched the integrated New York and Washington teams open the 1956 season.

Lyle Spatz recently stepped down after 25 years as the chairman of SABR’s Baseball Records Committee. He is the recipient of SABR’s Bob Davids and Henry Chadwick Awards, and among the books he has written or edited are biographies of Bill Dahlen, Willie Keeler, Dixie Walker and Hugh Casey.