Dec. 9, 1963 - More night games than ever before (34) and an innovation aimed at suburban trade — six games starting at 6 p.m. — mark the 1964 home schedule of the New York Yankees, which was announced today by General Manager Ralph Houk (pictured with new manager Yogi Berra). The pattern represents a major shift in schedule policy by the American League champions, who were openly disturbed by their failure last season to draw as much as they believed they should have in comparison with the last-place New York Mets. The Yankees drew 1,308,920 in 1963, their smallest home attendance since 1945. The Mets, in the second year of their existence, drew 1,080,104. Traditionally, the Yankees have resisted the trend toward unlimited night baseball. For many years, they restricted themselves to 7 and then 14 night games a season at home. In recent years, the pattern has been 21 or 22. Last year, 26 were scheduled. The 34 night games in 1964 are listed for 31 dates. The breakdown is three twilight-night doubleheaders, 22 regular night games, and the six “Suburban Nights,” all Thursdays. The Suburban Night is the brain child of Yankee owner Dan Topping. It is intended to allow fans to leave the Stadium after a game before 9 p.m. to reach home at a reasonable hour. The example of the New York Rangers, who have had great success with hockey games starting at 7 and 7:30 p.m. in recent years, undoubtedly influenced this experiment. Opening day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14. The Boston Red Sox will be the opposition for the debut of Yogi Berra as manager.
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