News last week that the New York Yankees are gearing up for a new stadium in 2009 was followed by yet another piece of construction news in Boston about Fenway Park.

The two franchises have been going at it all these years, and New Yorkers seem to feel that a new stadium will once again put the Yankees over the top.

Built the year after Babe Ruth came to New York in 1921, the so-called “House that Ruth Built” opened up all kinds of winning possibilities for the New Yorkers, and has stood tall all these years as an intimidating presence for Red Sox Nation until 2004.

Boston’s latest addition to Fenway brings the total potential attendance in the old ballpark to 39,928. According to team officials, this final renovation will be the last as far as more seats go.

I couldn’t help thinking about Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park as regular season major league play began in earnest last week.

In 1977, I attended my first-ever game in New York at Yankee Stadium. To say the least, I was impressed.

We barely had time to sit down before Mickey Rivers, the Yankees center fielder, hit a home run into some guy’s lap, sitting in front of us.

Oh, oh. 1-0 bad guys.

Things didn’t improve much, but Red Sox fans endured – like they always do – and we were stuck with the ambience of the place in defeat.

My second sojourn to the Bronx involved a World Series game in 1977. What I remember most about that game was the rain and getting behind a woman in a wedding gown – I kid you not – who attempted to pay $100 for a hot dog, figuring to avoid having to pay for the dog if her $100 bill couldn’t be cashed.

The arguing bride was quickly escorted down the aisle by security, and I never saw her again.

Truth be known, my very first Red Sox-Yankee game in person occurred at beloved Fenway in 1961. Unfortunately, the Sox were pounded that day 8-0, but I came away with the unique experience of seeing my first game in Boston and staring incessantly at the Green Monster and all that bright green grass.

Oh my, what a spectacle that was for me and my sister.

Other early Fenway memories include seeing the Splendid Splinter, Ted Williams when he managed the old Washington Senators baseball team. What a thrill that was, and what a reception he received from a still-adoring Fenway crowd.

I will say this, however. Even if the Yankees and the Sox played their games in their respective stadium parking lots, the rivalry and all the action would still be exciting and intense.

As our beloved Red Sox play their home opener today at the aforementioned Fenway Park – wouldn’t I like to see the World Championship ring presentation in person – both Boston and Detroit limp into Beantown, following lackluster starts to their respective seasons.

The Sox and the Tigers are heavy favorites in their divisions, and the marathon 162- game season allows enough time for slow, but sure, recoveries.

I can almost smell those Fenway franks. And that mustard, oh my.

30-Second Time Out

I would be remiss as an editorial advisory board member of Winning Hoops magazine if I didn’t wish Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, who also sits on that board, best wishes in her NCAA title game tonight against Tennessee.

Go Cardinal!

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net