Ultimate Miniature Yankee Stadium Model - Coolest Thing I've Ever Made EP24

This miniature Yankee stadium model based on the original "House that Ruth Built" is very likely the world's most accurate. When John Meeks from Hillsborough New Jersey heard that the original Yankee stadium was to be demolished in 2007, he decided the original needed to be preserved in all its glory. After 4 years and thousands of hours, his masterpiece was complete. The model represents the stadium as it appeared on June 24, 1973. The Yankees swept a doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers and John and a friend were lucky enough to be there to enjoy it. "I have attempted to replicate every significant detail in perfect proportion. The model is more than a half million individual hand cut pieces of styrene plastic, medal and wood and is unique in every sense of the word. I've showed it to relatively few people but I have had them come from as far as Texas to see it." We filmed with John recently and were blown away by this attention to detail and amazing model. Enjoy the video! Cheers- Guy (Producer, Coolest Thing I've Ever Made)
Follow us on Instagram @coolestthing for behind the scenes and other fun stuff.
Producer/Director: Guy Georgeson
Editor: Mark Westburg
Additional Editing: Guy Georgeson
Director of Photography: Andrew Sheppard
Associate Producer: Laura Morris
Music licensed from: Pond5, Epidemic Sound
Stock Media provided by Marscott / Pond5
Additional photos licensed from: Getty Images
Big thank you to the Bell Fund for additional funding of this season!

[@online12plus]

imagine how many amazing things like this are in random basements around the world.

[@CoolestThing]

We've found a couple! But there are no doubt thousands of cool things still to see!

[@mrreef2450]

@@CoolestThingyou got your work cut out for you in finding them all ❤

[@LowdownBoy]

Like this? Not many! Get real.

[@fortyyearfitness]

Ask buffalo bob

[@TXnine7nine]

This should eventually be in a museum. The Yankees museum would be fitting. It deserves preservation.

[@stephenmoncrieff2056]

Or the Hall of Fame

[@Ram-2112]

Since they messed it up in 09 they really should

[@alexanderlugo6318]

This man's masterpiece should be purchased by the New York Yankees and placed in the front foyer of the stadium in a beautiful custom display case.

[@CoolestThing]

We agree!

[@brianbanfill6813]

Forget about the Yankees purchasing it, this should be somewhere in Cooperstown on display!

[@tedbell4416]

This model should be in a museum

[@CoolestThing]

We agree!!

[@wakcedout]

He inadvertently created a museum piece. The fact he worked hard to make it accurate down to the smallest detail makes it something that should be seen generations to come. Hopefully before he passed he donates it to a museum so others may enjoy this piece of history. Otherwise it will just end up in the trash.

[@CoolestThing]

Well said! It is truly magnificent!

[@rogercarlson6300]

This is a masterpiece of art & should be permanently shown at the new Yankee Stadium! very well done!

[@MrJohnnycage1985]

How much would this piece go for?! The hours and accuracy of this model is insane.

[@Crusader1815]

@@MrJohnnycage1985 This is one of those things one can properly call "priceless." You can see from his sketches and other works that this man is a true artist, and the love and dedication it took to build this thing are rare in the extreme, plus the accuracy is so great too. Wherever it winds up, I hope they will keep it under a titanium dome so nothing can fall on it and smash it.

[@55giantsfan22]

This needs to be in the hall of fame

[@CoolestThing]

Yes! Very much agree!

[@stevenwaldman1908]

This is truly amazing, your attention to detail is incredible. BRAVO

[@Alvious]

If they can get it out of the basement.

[@Aubreykrendale]

If you ever get divorced guess what your wife will do just before she leaves.

[@Freesavh1776]

WOW he's got some great talent on my mediums. OMG the amount of respect I have for this man is just overflowing.

[@AnimationArtWorld]

He probably now knows more about Yankee Stadium's construction and details than anybody ever has. A true artist in many ways. "It belongs in a museum"

[@kalashnakov0477]

The definition of work of art, modern day Michelangelo. This has to be one of the most beautiful small scale models I've seen, this guy should be recognized by the NY Yankees organization.

[@CoolestThing]

We agree, it's an absolute work of art!

[@MosheFeder]

A masterpiece in every sense of the word. My admiration for John's skill and determination is boundless. The only possible reaction is awe. I hope he has a long life to admire and enjoy his accomplishment and I also hope he's provided for its disposition and preservation. Obviously, either the Yankees or the Baseball Hall of Fame need to acquire it and put it on display. In the meantime, Bravo John Meeks!

[@johnm8096]

Amazing detail. What a masterpiece

[@gljm]

You've made me cry, it is so beautiful and oh the memories!!!!!

[@leokimvideo]

This isn't a model, it's an amazing piece of art. Totally priceless

[@aaronvincent9827]

Nothing but admiration for his passion and patience. I'm a huge baseball fan, and this is a piece of history frozen in time. What a beautiful model.

[@CoolestThing]

Thank you for watching! We totally agree! John knocked it out of the park!

[@davidriel7805]

Absolutely amazing!! Love it.

[@gynandroidhead]

That's my friend of over 40 years. This stadium is unbelievable.

[@ronachten2902]

I gotta know... Is he the most detail oriented person you've ever known? Is he working on something else now?

[@gynandroidhead]

@@ronachten2902 Nothing close to that.

[@rstefanie2622]

Tell John to add the 1973 Datsun pinstriped bullpen car. The driver was known as Banana Nose...huge nose.

[@gynandroidhead]

@@rstefanie2622 I will let him know.

[@scubasleeve3497]

With the proliferation of 3D printing, if he wants to populate the stadium with fans relatively quickly he should reach out to that community and ask folks to send him a few 3D printed fans each. I think people would enjoy contributing and although this is his baby, if it was me, I'd also think it was cool to have others help out.

[@capone_rd_809]

This is amazing, especially in an era where you could 3d print everything.

[@theHAL9000]

Phenomenal! Stunning ... should be in a museum.

[@EzekielMessenger]

Incredible amount of work put into this. Building something of this magnitude to scale is insanely difficult.

[@CocoVonKokonut]

Such talent and dedication ... You, sir, created a masterpiece!

[@introaether937]

John has created a wonderful piece or work. Congratulations. Bravo!

[@pjwillsr]

Haven't read all the comments, but the Yankee marketing contact should know about this and find a home inside the "new" stadium. What an unbelievable accomplishment. Patience is a virtue.

[@Galaxiiee02]

This dude has so much talent wow

[@kurtissolberg7920]

This is awesome. Well done Sir!

[@mrlatino1964]

WOW.. COMPLETELY SPEECHLESS...

[@williamsignorovitch32]

Now it all makes sense, he said he had kids. That explains why he spent so much time on it. 😂 I’m kidding your model of Yankees stadium is by far the coolest model build I’ve seen. Keep up the passion.

[@carlsaganlives6086]

Cot (and bucket) in the corner, utility sink already there, slot for food tray in the door, ongoing exterior entrance project...

[@solless2504]

The most impressive part to me is how clean it is😂 there’s no dust on anything. It much be a pain to clean

[@glennmoreside787]

Simply brilliant, WOW!!

[@thestadiumguy]

Hi John…I just stumbled upon your video. I hope you remember me. Seeing your model presentation in this way makes me marvel at your work and ability as a model maker. If you remember me telling you this years ago…..I said that “your model is so good, I want to burn mine”. 😉 Well, I never burned mine… as a matter of fact, I recently passed the 51st anniversary of the day I started building it. And now, it resides permanently at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore. Yours is the best and most detailed model that I’ve ever seen and I need to congratulate you on your tireless dedication and I hope to see it in person someday! Brad Merila

[@ym61]

Incredible job and I WAS AT THAT JUNE 24 DH!

[@Sneaky_freek]

I built a 1/4" scale of a 40k sf house (yes, 40,000 sf) at my first job after college. Took me and another guy 3 months full-time. Chip board, foam core, and yes lots of styrene. I thought it was pretty badass, and it was. But this one is on a totally different level. Which is hard to admit as a red sox fan 😉

[@josephmaloney3140]

Magnificent!

[@vordt4139]

In the words of Indiana Jones: It belongs in a museum.

[@cuda426hemi]

Would be cool to make and hand paint tiny Babe, Joe, Lou, Mickey and Roger figures posed as if they hit a famous dinger and attach wire to the figure that represents the trajectory of one famous HR for each. You could pop 'em on and off the field when and if. ⚾︎

[@clifford7594]

Your Yankee Stadium model is the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[@BostonSteve922]

As a Red Sox fan this is the coolest thing about the Yankees I’ve ever seen. Excellent job sir very well done 👍

[@johnf7683]

Hopefully someone will do the same with Fenway and Wrigley.

[@dom_mld]

I see what you did there... June 24...

[@CoolestThing]

Was going to release last week, but we figured might as well as timing all lined pretty perfectly!

[@Patrick94GSR]

unreal! And please, someone buy this man new architectural and engineering scales! Preferably the aluminum kind that won't break! I know I've had mine since architecture school 25 years ago.

[@danielpruitt8550]

This guy is my favorite type of person with the passion for this project he is doing, I'm doing something similar with Pokemon Maps.

[@robbruno6713]

a true craftsman... the amount of detail is unreal! well done sir!

[@Cornpop69]

This is really cool

[@inseatmarketing2443]

He should do Shea next...

[@salvatoredestefano439]

Astounding work!

[@roxstix]

Amazing work of art! CoolestThing, how do you search for amazing work like this?

[@CoolestThing]

Usually we have a research team, but in this case, John actually contacted us as he liked the way we film and edit our videos. It’s an amazing project for sure and this is the only video on it so far that exists!

[@DaM.1]

The fact that it's not done with 3d printing is incredible. That would also take a lot of time thought. Moddeling every part with outstanding detail, printing, paiting... just imagine 40 thounsand seats by hand

[@CoolestThing]

It’s quite the feat indeed! His dedication is unbelievable! Glad there are people like John out there!

[@mulemule]

6:20 60,000 seats, s'il vous plait! *_60,000!_*

[@dukem991]

Amazing I am blown away by this model congrats this should be in the hall of fame

[@triple7marc]

I bet the Hall of Fame or new stadium would pay a pretty penny for this.

[@CoolestThing]

That would awesome! It deserves it!

[@mulemule]

Seems like the type of guy who'd never sell it (esp. given its deep connection to his youth) but he'd likely let them display it.

[@oldguysrock2170]

The Yankees should display your stadium in their front office or where it can be viewed by the fans! But behind glass. Fantastic work! You are a true artist, and a patient one!

[@flyboyadventures777]

A true Artist that never got the credit they deserve! Should be in glass at the new stadium for all to admire!!!😎😎😎

[@ChuckMound]

Too Bad its all about the Money and the Merchandise, otherwise that Stadium and all it's history would still be standing. The New Yankee Stadium is just a Mall with a Field. Not about the game anymore.

[@wyit7172]

I live in the same country, probably no more than 20 minutes away from this guy. Crazy the amount of talent that’s right next to you that you may never know existed.

[@thecoolcreativebuildchanne2613]

Simply amazing! This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my 60 years!!

[@jmua8450]

Not a Yankees fan but will not deny they are the standard. Sad day when they tore down the house that Ruth built.

[@bobbowie9350]

Its incredible! Round of applause!

[@cameroncannioto5171]

holy crap. congrats man you have more patience than anyone i ever met or know of. deserves to be displayed at a museum

[@Slapjabber]

WOW! That’s cool. Especially, since the new stadium is just a little league field on steroids. History preserved!

[@GeorgeH.WillisJr.-jj8ox]

This should definitely be in the ⚾️ HOF! Unbelievable!!!

[@quicksandsavior]

This is a national treasure, it must be protected.

[@CoolestThing]

We agree!!

[@jeffbunnell]

They should put it in Yankee stadium, in the museum

[@ScreengageLLC]

I felt the same way the first time I saw the Yankee Stadium in person. That shape and the Victorian-style details...it was the coolest thing to me. Been there several times in the late 1970's. Love this model!

[@stevejames9167]

As a person who replicates sailing ships, I can really appreciate this. Oh, and a Yankee fan 😀

[@jermainewashington7447]

Everyone needs a hobby. What an incredible model. Nice job.

[@djsandvig1]

I am VASTLY more impressed with this scratch built masterpiece than ANYTHING “printed”…..and being a Detroiter I love the Tigers nod. Good on ya’ dude , good on ya’

[@SummerlinRealtor]

What an amazing work of art! He truly is a gifted person! This is beyond beautiful! 😊

[@authorharryswanson]

I authored a book that largely covered the 1922/23 construction of Yankee Stadium taken from the original construction documents of Osborn Engineering and White Construction entitled "Ruthless Baseball, Yankees Purified by Fire / Stadium Construction". John actually used the same process as White Construction, to determine seating capacity. Wood for the seats were custom cut on site. Each seat cost $1.50 including installation. John's detail work is awesome.

[@aljon5947]

Interesting, always curious about the costs of building stadiums. I live in a country where there is basically only 1 ballpark. I’ll definitely build one when I become rich!

[@jamesdickinson1397]

Amazing job. I've never been to NY living out in California, but I always admired the great history of the Yankee teams and Yankee Stadium. I applaud your effort in building this. To cool for school is all I can say. GREAT VIDEO. 😁👍

[@Philtration]

Incredible... Just mind-blowing how accurate this is.

[@kerlyn3582]

There is no comment that can adequately describe this labour of love ... so I will just have to use one word - WOW!

[@alanb287]

It belongs in Cooperstown AND the Modeling Hall of Fame, wherever that is

[@alschoch5862]

Very good.. the logo on top of the big scoreboard was simply a white circle and did not have baseball stitching, with the tail of the Y extending out of the circle.

[@barkeater123]

Could only be cooler if the orig stadium dirt was incorporated. Would also hide speakers underneath and pipe in sounds of the stadium organ.

[@devdeque7846]

This is a museum piece.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Amazing!!! Most detailed model I’ve ever seen!!!! Thank you!!!! I was in this version of the Stadium once. I remember the columns blocking my view of right field and climbing all the way up the upper level to look out one of the slatted windows.

[@CoolestThing]

Awesome! It’s an incredible model for sure! So happy to have the honour to have filmed it!

[@moboutmen]

I cannot believe I get to say this....I was there! Upper deck, 1st base side. Tickets from S&H Green Stamps.

[@rstefanie2622]

Also attended. pennant fever if you remember, but the NYY faded as the A's head to the WS in '73.

[@RobbyTheGlitch]

Should have peed on it to give it that authentic NYC aroma. Go Sox.

[@TwiceEvery14Days]

Imagine this being recognized and going to a museum... But the museum burns down with everything in it.

[@paulbuchwald198]

Should be in either Coopers Town or Yankee Stadium

[@carlosmarin4377]

this is a museum peace of art.. good work..impressive

[@mongolikechewchew2475]

It took 284 days to build the original Yankee Stadium. Michael Kay talked about it on the broadcast Sunday, May 5th, saying that they broke ground on that date in 1922 & the Stadium was finished for opening day 1923. Amazing, just as your model is just incredible!

[@brianhansen106]

Wow! What an amazing model. I wish the new Yankee Stadium captured more of the original stadium's personality. Especially the outfield dimensions. Great Job!!! And I remembering seeing the doubleheader on TV: Sunday, June 24, 1973. My friends and I were so happy that the Yankees were in first place at the time. Unfortunately, after the All-star break they fell off the cliff.

[@jamesdavis6036]

Thats amazing! Dont let the Steinbrenners get hold of it. So why did they tear down the original? I'll tell you why. The most evil owner in all of sports history. George Von Steingrabber. The Roman Coliseum still stands for over 2,000 years. "The House That Ruth Built" for less than a hundred. The history not only with the Yankees but the N.Y Giants. Also great Heavyweight Championship fights with Joe Lewis & Rocky Marciano. Makes sense doesn't it? Let's demolish a stadium that held close to 70,000 & build a baby ballpark that holds only 47,000. All in a city that has 9 million. Do all this just so his rich friends could have luxury boxes. The destroyer of baseball got his way. Funny, never heard a peep from Yankee fans when the wrecking ball arrived.

[@12345682900]

Amazing of course and certainly worthy of museum consideration/presentation. I too have crafted a few replicas (although nothing like this) that I hope find their way to museums one day. What's interesting, and unbelievable, is that nothing was "mass produced," 3D printed. This replica is a true, hand-crafted work of art & labor of love. The effort expounded in research alone is also something that should always be noted. Well done, John. Well done!

[@freesoul3371]

I used to do the models as a kid in the 60"s and 70's growing up in Jersey. The kits in the box of cars mostly, I remember I did the Red Baron car if anyone remembers it. They actually have a real world full size version I guess the model was based on which looks real cool, you can google it if interested. Well what I wanted to say is this guy is one hell of a model builder. Seriously talented. Kudos to him.

[@lyleshoostine1683]

I wonder if someone has made a combined recording of Bob Shepards' introductions of all Yankee Legends over the years? One could play these recordings beside admiring this unbelievable, amazing model of Yankee Stadium.

[@Charlielizard]

Absolutely phenomenal! Happened upon a short video and had to watch this. Everything is so perfect. The most miniscule details have been reproduced. This definitely needs to be shared with the rest of the country; and not just on KZbin. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@carlosmarin4377]

i miss the old stadium.. it was louder than any stadium in mlb

[@lyleshoostine1683]

This model deserves preservation either in the new Yankee Stadium or Cooperstown for all Yankee fans to see and appreciate. One question I have: Did you ever consider a phase 2 where somehow small LED lighting is possible for scoreboard and light structures or is the scale too small for hiding wiring and lighting that small currently doesn't exist?

[@dekelpolak4190]

How Human Nature Works Human nature is the desire to receive, also called “desire to enjoy,” and it functions by receiving what is beneficial to itself and rejecting what is harmful. Everything in our lives is built upon this calculation where we first try to distance ourselves from harm, and then seek how to draw ourselves closer to what is beneficial. Human nature also includes a multilayering of systems that work simultaneously on still, vegetative, animate and human levels. One of those systems is our bodily one, which operates involuntarily. If our bodies are healthy, then they know what is good for them and draw that goodness to themselves. After the bodily system, there is the emotional system, which also functions relatively according to instinct. From the emotional system, we move to the mind, and from the mind to the intellect, and so on. That is, we have systems over systems that concurrently work on receiving what is beneficial and rejecting what is harmful. Such is human nature and the essence of our lives. Our every desire, thought and action operates according to the calculation, “How can we receive what is most beneficial to us and reject what is harmful?”

[@anthonydifabio4848]

John! I’m blown away as I’m in Clinton and grew up in North plainfield on Belmont! Small world. I want to build a baseball field as I’m a beginner. Searched and found this! When did u graduate?

[@detcordxxxi]

Human ingenuity is an amazing thing to behold. This belongs in the baseball Hall of Fame!

[@jp783]

I just wish he had made the version of the 1950's instead of the mid 60's to early 70's , which this is. The seafoam would have looked nicer.

[@elizabethboriszek9895]

That is an awsome replication. I've made models but not as good as this. Definitely talented

[@jerseyjoe1677]

Beautiful job. I would definitely keep it covered in plastic or put plastic on the ceiling. I hate to see you get a water leak in that house and that get ruined. If the Yankees knew about this, they may purchase it and put it on display good job

[@timfremstad3434]

It's an outstanding piece, but with all the time and money in it, you want it in a museum, you better have a big check ready.......I wouldn't be donating it

[@chickerd4928]

Maybe for his next project he can add LED’s to those light towers and light it up. That would be really cool to see.

[@michaelguadiana5018]

You pretty much got it perfect I myself also realized that one fasad was a different size but one thing you did miss is the poles that hald the dugout roofs were replaced with brick and were painted gray also the fence from the left field foul pole to the bullpen was just that, just a fence, I don't know why the difference from the fence from the right field foul pole but that is exactly how it was

[@garykorzelius5930]

All I can say is WOOOOWWWW!!! Thanks for the memories of sitting the old stadium looking around the stanchions of the loge section.

[@OlympicProjectMC]

super underrated vid although im a cardinals fan this is AMAZING!

[@TheThinkinGuy]

wow... talk about a hobby. the cool thing would be to watch Yankee games while working on miniature Yankee stadium.