The New York Yankees: The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews

Available at Amazon.com

There is no major league ballpark that dominated the post-season more than Yankee Stadium. In the 85 years since the construction of “The House Ruth Built,” it’s been a playoff destination nearly half of those seasons. Twenty-six World Series titles have been claimed by the Yankees. The dominating structure meets the wrecking ball after this October since it doesn’t have enough luxury boxes. Next season a new and improved Yankee Stadium will open its doors. The New York Yankees: The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium lets fans remember the glory of the Bronx Bombers from Thurman Munson to Reggie Jackson to Derek Jeter. There’s also plenty of nightmares for players and fans that despised pinstripes. The six games presented in this box set are from Yankee Stadium after the major renovations that took place in the mid-’70s.

1976 ALCS Game 5 vs. Kansas City Royals was a return to glory. It had been over a decade since the Bronx Bombers had played in the post-season. The upgraded ballpark proved a good luck charm for the team. For fans of the game, it’s nice to hear Howard Cosell and Keith Jackson calling the game for ABC. What makes this game interesting is that Reggie Jackson is a guest in the announcer booth. A year later, he would prove to be the missing piece. 1977 World Series Game 6 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers was their true return to glory. The game starts with Joe DiMaggio throwing the first pitch to Thurman Munson. This was also during the era when Joe pitched Mr. Coffee to America. Even though Reggie Jackson had won three World Series rings with the Oakland A’s, his heroics in this game made him an American superstar. He destroyed the Dodgers in three thrilling plate appearances. The most thrilling highlight is his dash from the outfield into the dugout before rabid fans tear him apart. That run should have won him the Heisman.

1995 ALDS Game 2 vs. Seattle Mariners is a 15-inning thriller. Unfortunately after this game, the Yankees lost the American League Pennant to Cleveland. This was Don Mattingly’s final season as a player. 1996 World Series Game 6 vs. Atlanta Braves has the Yankees coming back after losing the first two games to win their first title in nearly two decades. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver called the game. You might want to turn the volume down. The fans don’t storm the field this time around.

2001 World Series Game 4 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks is a dramatic game. For most of the game Curt Schilling had shut down the pinstripes. But then Diamondbacks closer Byung-Hyun Kim got torched. But the Yankees couldn’t seal the deal and Schilling got his revenge when Arizona won the title in Game 7. 2003 ALCS Game 7 vs. Boston Red Sox used to hurt my stomach whenever the highlight of Aaron Boone’s homer ran. It felt as if Boston would never ever win the World Series. This hurt as bad as Bucky Dent’s homer in 1978. Recent history has made this moment seem insignificant since the Redsox have won two World Series titles and Aaron Boone has kicked around the league on various teams.

The only downside of these games is the lack of original intros from the network broadcasts. The video footage cuts straight to the field action. We don’t get to see the ancient “cutting edge” opening graphics from ABC sports.

There won’t be an updating of this box set since the Yankees are about to be eliminated from the playoff picture. There will be no final World Series spectacular in the Bronx Zoo. Once the lights go off after the Baltimore game, the history of Pinstripes moves across the street. The New York Yankees: The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium captures the final decades of a venue that put as much fear into opponents hearts as titles on flagpoles.

The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The video transfers vary with the age of the master tapes. Die-hard fans will see around the imperfections. The audio is Dolby Digital stereo although the early games are in mono. The sound is from a live source so there are iffy moments.

Chris Chambliss on his 1976 ALCS Game 5 home run (6:01) is an recent interview with the highlight footage.

Ron Guidry 18 Ks – June 17, 1978 (4:23) is a montage of all the final strike out pitches to the Angels.

Bobby Murcer hits the game-winner – August 6, 1979 (4:53) also features footage of Thurman Munson’s funeral that was earlier in the day. Howard Cosell gives a eulogy for Munson before the game along with a clip from their final interview.

1996 ALCS Game 1 hometown fans aid Derek Jeter’s home run (2:00) is pure robbery. A kid reaches his glove over the wall and snags a ball. The ump rules it a home run instead of fan interference. The ump was blind.

1999 ALCS Game 1 Bernie Williams’ walk-off home run beats Boston (1:36) is another formerly painful moment for Redsox fans.

2000 World Series Game 1 first Subway Series since 1956 (5:10) are highlights from their series with the Mets.

2001 World Series Game 5 Scott Brosius repeats the impossible, Alfonso Soriano wins it (3:05) has Byung-Hyun Kim thinking he’s throwing for the home run contest.

“The Dive” by Derek Jeter – July 1, 2004 (3:01) has the captain catching a ball, fly into the stands and faceplant in the stadium seats.

1999 World Series Game 3: Chad Curtis’ Walk-off Home Run (2:23) is another bad moment for Braves fans.

1978 ALCS Game 3: Munson’s Clutch Home Run (2:47) has Thurman nail the Kansas City Royals again.

1978 World Series Game 4: Piniella Wins It in Extra Innings (2:45) has Sweet Lou stroke it.

Interviews on Reggie Jackson’s 3 HRs (4:37) has folks discussing Mr. October’s clutch night.

2003 ALCS vs. Boston: Player and Celebrity Interviews (5:31) is post-game chats. Reggie Jackson gets microphone time.


The New York Yankees: The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium allows fans of the Bronx Bombers a chance to remember those seasons when winning seemed so easy. This is a great chance to show the kids what baseball was like back in the ‘70s when the polyester uniforms clutched all the wrong places.

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A&E Home Video presents The New York Yankees: The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium. Starring: Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson & Derek Jeter . Boxset Contents: 6 games on 6 discs. Rating: Not Rated. Released on DVD: Sept 23, 2008. Available at Amazon.com

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.