Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 645 - 9: Bronx Impressions (Part 2)

Right across the street from the new Yankee Stadium stands the site of the old Yankee Stadium, founded in 1923, the first three-tiered stadium in American baseball history. Before its closure in 2008, it was the third oldest stadium in the Major League, only trailing Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field (1914).

Today, the site has been transformed into a baseball-themed park exclusively for children to play.

Today is the day Lin Guanglai officially signs with the New York Yankees. On this day, he arrived early at Yankee Stadium and was led by the staff to tour this magnificent stadium.

The first stop in their tour was the New York Yankees Museum within the stadium, housing all the historical heritage since the foundation of the Yankees:

Similar to the Koshien Museum, upon entering the Yankees Museum, the first thing that catches the eye is the iconic wall: this wall displays over 870 autographed baseballs and various trophies accumulated by the Yankees over the years, including replicas of 27 World Series trophies placed in order, dazzling Lin Guanglai to the point he couldn't keep his eyes open.

In addition, there are many items used by historical players, such as jerseys, bats, and gloves, occupying almost all the space and showcasing the frightening legacy of the New York Yankees.

"This jersey was worn by Babe Ruth during the 1934 Japan-American baseball exchange game," a museum staff member said, carefully displaying the jersey to Lin Guanglai, "Ruth's name is embroidered on the collar, which was a feature of the jerseys at that time. Even after 83 years, it is still preserved exceptionally well—this is undoubtedly one of the most valuable collections in our museum."

"So, it was while wearing this jersey that Ruth was struck out by Eijun Sawamura, who was still a high school student then at Koshien..." Lin Guanglai did not speak aloud but silently thought to himself.

Besides the jersey, the museum's curator also showed Lin Guanglai a bat once used by Ruth, specifically the one from 1922, now almost a hundred years old—that year Ruth hit 35 home runs in a single season and led the Yankees to the World Series for the second consecutive year, laying a solid foundation for the future Yankees dynasty.

Lin Guanglai donned gloves and accepted this bat filled with legendary aura and historical weight from the curator. As soon as he took it in hand, his first impression was the weight—even in today's era of increasingly strong player abilities, the bat used by Ruth can still be considered heavyweight.

According to the museum's curator, this bat weighs an astonishing 45 ounces, roughly 1300 grams, which Lin Guanglai found unimaginable:

Even the top hitters in the Major League today use bats weighing around 33 ounces to ensure enough bat speed to support their hits while maintaining power and consistency.

In a nearby glass display case, the jerseys of Yankee legends like Mantle, DiMaggio, Jeter, and Rivera shimmer brightly, arranged according to championship years, alongside the rings won by the team over the years—each one of which is something many players can never achieve; whereas in the New York Yankees, it is the goal for which players strive every season.

Having left the museum and heading towards Yankee Stadium's interior, Lin Guanglai and his group passed by a vast hall:

Within the hall, countless photographs of former Yankees players were displayed, each capturing moments of their World Series triumphs;

Moreover, numerous giant solo photos of players were hung here, reserved only for stars who have left a significant mark on Yankees history.

Entering the inner regions of Yankee Stadium, the scenery suddenly opened up: Unlike the domed Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka, all Major League clubs have open-air stadiums, with limestone and granite exteriors paying tribute to the old Yankee Stadium.

Beside the central field, beneath the big screen, is Yankee Stadium's Monument Park. Legendary figures such as Miller Huggins, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and distinguished owner George Steinbrenner… only those who have made extraordinary and irreplaceable contributions to the Yankees can have a plaque bearing their name, honors, and statue placed in this park, forever accompanying fans and generations of Yankee players in viewing the stadium.

Staring at those familiar yet unfamiliar faces, Lin Guanglai had a thought: One day, he too would have his jersey hung high above the Bronx; one day, he would have his figure placed into this Monument Park.

After touring the areas open to all fans, Lin Guanglai continued under the guidance of staff into the core regions accessible only to players and club personnel; arriving at the locker room entrance, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and Head Coach Joe Girardi were already waiting.

"Lin, welcome to your new home—though I've said this many times, I still want to say, joining the Yankees is undoubtedly the best choice." Girardi warmly shook hands with Lin Guanglai and hugged him, with visible satisfaction in his eyes.

The locker room door was gently pushed open by Girardi, and a new scene unfolded before Lin Guanglai: If he had to describe it, besides the word "luxurious," he couldn't think of another word apt enough.

"At the Yankees, all you need to do is maintain your physique and play well; everything else will be handled by the club's support staff." Cashman gestured for Lin Guanglai to approach his carefully prepared and personally assigned locker.

The nameplate had his surname written in English, the letters "LIN" simple and clear; inside the locker, the iconic black-and-white striped Yankees jersey was neatly placed, bearing the new number 13 embroidered—without a name, because it's tradition in the Yankees, symbolizing the Yankees spirit where the collective surpasses the individual.

Standing before his locker, Lin Guanglai used his peripheral vision to glance at the owners of the lockers to his left and right: to the left was number 99, and to the right was number 52.

He wasn't very familiar with the person named Aaron Judge, but the owner of number 52, CC Sabathia, was indeed a thunderous name: As the recipient of the 2007 Cy Young Award and one of the key contributors to the Yankees' 2009 World Series victory, Sabathia, now 37, is the biggest star and leader in the Yankees locker room post-A-Rod's retirement.

Placing his locker in this position clearly shows the Yankees' regard for Lin Guanglai: they truly hope Lin Guanglai can become the next era's leader of this prestigious Yankees team.

Beyond the locker room, Lin Guanglai, accompanied by Cashman, toured various player areas, including the gym, indoor batting cage, bullpen, spa room, cafeteria, and more—undoubtedly, the New York Yankees are indeed the world's premier baseball club, particularly in their infrastructure, which is impeccable, nearly all of which meets the highest standards of world baseball, even surpassing Japan's top Softbank Team.

"The media and fans are already waiting outside," Cashman's voice drew Lin Guanglai back to reality, "now, it's time to make your debut!"