could n't sleep and I drove in from my parents ' house in New Jersey at 7 in the morning . After introducing myself to a skeptical guard , he led me down two flights of stairs and through a hallway , where I was greeted by the clubhouse man Pete Sheehy -LRB- who died in 1985 and for whom the room is now named -RRB- . The Yankee clubhouse in 1962 was like a large subterranean living room . A wall-to-wall grayish green carpet muffled all sound , and the overhead lighting was subdued . Three walls of walk-in wood lockers faced a wall of large frosted windows that cast shafts of light from the street above . Everything was painted a muted gray green to match the carpet , including the exposed ductwork in the ceiling above . A cleat-dented wooden stool sat in front of each locker . And hanging in the lockers , with military precision , were the classic Yankee uniforms . `` Your locker is right here by the door , '' said Pete . I could n't help smiling when I saw Whitey Ford 's nameplate just one locker away . I asked
Editor 's note : For 85 years , Yankee Stadium has hosted some of the greatest moments in sports . On Sunday , the Yankees will play their last game before the stadium is torn down . Former Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton played on the 1963 American League All-Star team and in two World Series . He wrote the classic baseball book , `` Ball Four , '' named as one of the `` Books of the Century '' by the New York Public Library , and has been a sportscaster and actor . For Bouton 's web site , click here Jim Bouton was photographed as a rookie in 1962 at Yankee Stadium , before the renovation of the ballpark . EGREMONT , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- I 'll never forget my first day in The House that Ruth Built : April 9 , 1962 , the day before opening day . I made the team that spring as a non-roster player , having pitched in the Texas League -LRB- AA -RRB- the year before . And I had just turned 23 . The Yankees had scheduled an afternoon workout , but I was so excited that I