http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...across_st.html
Stars & teens move infield dirt across street to new Yankee Stadium
Bronx teens help Yankees move dirt from original Stadium across the street on Saturday.
BY VERONIKA BELENKAYA and KATHLEEN LUCADAMO
November 8th 2008
Some Yankee greats got down and dirty in the Bronx Saturday - digging up soil from the House that Ruth Built to haul to the new stadium.
Bronx teenagers joined players from the 1998 championship team Saturday for the ceremonial transfer of dirt from home plate and the pitcher's mound.
"There is so much history and tradition here," said former pitcher David Cone. "We are making a symbolic gesture of actually taking a part of Yankee Stadium...and using it in the new stadium."
The 60 teens, who are part of an after-school program affiliated with the Yankees, cheered and cried while they carried pails of dirt in pouring rain to the new $800 million ballpark.
"It's crazy. It's history in the making right here," said Jason Diamond, 15, of West Farms. "It something to be proud of, something I'm going to tell my grandchildren."
They also extracted the rubber home plate and transferred it to the Bronx Bombers' new home.
"This is like a dream come true," said Mabel Jimenez, 17, of Morris Park.
On hand for the big dig were ex-champs Scott Brosius, Jeff Nelson and Paul O'Neill.
Brosius said he was grateful for a last chance to stand on the famous field.
"Out with the old, in with the new. It's great to be a part of this."
Yankee exec Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal comforts emotional teen Darlene Mateo during Saturday's ceremony at the old Stadium.