"The best stadium, the best clubhouse, the best everything," a beaming Johnny Damon told reporters by his locker. "You can tell by the looks on our faces that Christmas came a little bit early this year."
Outside, more than 20,000 fans watched the team practice on the new diamond across the street from the Yankees' previous home in the Bronx since 1923 that had been dubbed "The House That Ruth Built," after famed slugger Babe Ruth.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter raved about the amenities, ranging from a spacious clubhouse and workout facilities, and new first baseman Mark Teixeira, signed to a eight-year, $180 million free agent deal, gushed about his new address.
"This is going to be considered the greatest sports venue in the world," he said.
The new stadium echoes the old park on the field with the same outfield dimensions and many of the same architectural touches, including the ornate frieze, commonly known to fans as the facade, overhanging the top of the upper deck.
While the multi-tiered stands and the field bring back memories of the old home, the rest of the complex is state of the art with plush seating, broad concourses and a grand buffet of concession choices.
Subtle Differences
Yankees manager Joe Girardi, starting his second season with the club after a disappointing opening campaign in which his team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994, noted there were a few subtle differences.
The distance from home plate to the backstop was shorter, and there was a bit more foul territory wide of each base line, he noted before giving the new stadium a vote of approval.
"Fabulous," he said. "Last night when we walked in it, it felt like Christmas morning. It's an unbelievable building."
Girardi said he thought it was fitting that hurler Wang Chien-ming, sidelined by injury much of last season, would start the team's first exhibition game at the new park on Friday against the Chicago Cubs.
"What he's done here already over the years is something special," Girardi said about Wang, a 19-game winner in 2006 and in 2007.
"It was very unfortunate he got hurt last year. I think it's great that he gets this opportunity and gets to throw the first pitch on the mound."
Stoic closer Mariano Rivera, who has played a critical role in four World Series titles since joining the team in 1995, appreciated the new venue but was mindful of the task at hand.
"I think there's excitement," Rivera, 39, told Reuters. "I'm impressed by how big the facility is, the lockers and everything. It's gorgeous.
"But I hope we don't just come to enjoy this, but come and do what we're supposed to do and play the game."
