What a Deal! These 1976 New York Stadium Menu Items are So Cheap

1976 was a simpler time in our country. Or, at least, that's what people tell me.

No, I was not alive at the time, but I have relatives, co-workers and friends who were, and I love hearing stories from the past, and reading about the history of the United States and beyond. More than anything, however, I love reading about sports history, and comparing the wide world of sports we live in now, versus then.

So, when I happened upon a snippet from The New York Times' sports section from 1976, I was fascinated. The section in question broke down the food and beverage offerings at New York's baseball stadiums, and painted a vivid picture of simpler days spent at the ballyard.

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How Much Was Food, Beer at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium in 1976?

Twitter user Todd Radom posted a photo of a 1976 sports section from The New York Times, in which they compared the prices of ballpark items in New York. Here's how the list broke down:

At the time, apparently, it was no bargain to go to a game at Yankee Stadium with the family!

This screenshot illustrates a much simpler time in the country, and a simpler time in the world of sports. Yankees' fans were paying a whopping $1.35 for a ham sandwich, and $0.40 for peanuts and potato chips. Mets' fans were paying $0.75, $0.35 and $0.25 for those same items, and generally, were paying less across the board.

Of course, these prices were average for the time period, but it's legitimately hard to imagine going to a game with these types of prices. It's nearly impossible to find an alcoholic beverage at a stadium for less than $10, and even a hot dog and/or sausage and peppers are $5 and up.

You want an ice cream sundae? It'll come in a souvenir cup, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg, so make sure you take your glove off.

Sadly, we're likely at a point where prices for tickets, and concession items, will continue to grow exponentially. So, when we have a moment, it's fun to reminisce about a world where you could go to a game, and buy the whole family a spread of food without taking out a second mortgage on your home.