Yankees Face Cubs for First Exhibition Game at New Stadium

NEW YORK (WCBS 880)  -- Who will be the first team to play against the New York Yankees in the new stadium? The Cubs.

The Yankees announced today they will play the first-ever exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, April 4 at 1:05 p.m.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marks the Yankees’ first preseason exhibition game played in the Bronx since a two-game, split-stadium series against the Mets in 1993. 

“The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium,” said Yankees co-Chairperson Hal Steinbrenner.  “As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of Baseball’s greatest and most historic franchises.”

“We are thrilled to have such a great organization in the Chicago Cubs agree to play the first-ever exhibition games as we unveil Yankee Stadium,” said Yankees President Randy Levine. “It will be a symbolic event for the fans of two iconic teams while we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in this proud franchise’s history.”

The Yankees will play their first regular season home game in the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday, April 16, 2009, vs. the Cleveland Indians.