CitiField New Yankee Stadium Archives

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — New York City and Major League Baseball welcomed two new cathedrals this week with the opening of Citi Field in Flushing and the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Now, fans can relive these historic openers with artifacts from both inaugural games in Cooperstown, scheduled to be on display by the end of April in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Today's Game exhibit.

Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson acquired the following items Thursday from the inaugural game at the new Yankee Stadium: the bat used by Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore to hit the first grand slam in the new park; a game-used commemorative Opening Day baseball signed by Indians winning pitcher Cliff Lee; and the spikes worn by New York's starting pitcher, CC Sabathia.

On Monday night, the San Diego Padres' Jody Gerut donated the bat he used for the first hit in Citi Field, a leadoff home run. The Museum also received the ceremonial first-pitch ball, signed by Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and Mets legend Mike Piazza, along with dirt from the batter's box.

These items will join the more than 35,000 items in the collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Throughout the season, the Museum will add artifacts from historic moments and achievements.