NEW YORK, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Ground was broken Wednesday in New York for the Yankees' new $800 million stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2009.
The new facility, with a capacity up to 53,000 seats, is near the current Yankees Stadium, where the team has played since 1923.
"I'm very happy for everybody that we're all here to celebrate the new Yankee Stadium," said Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner. "It's a pleasure to give it to you people. This is for you people. We think very highly of all of you and I just want you to know it."
The groundbreaking came on the anniversary of the death of the legendary Babe Ruth. Those attending the ceremonies included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. George Pataki and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.
The stadium will be financed by the team, while the city and state will offer about $200 million for a new train station, and other facilities.
