Some visit Mecca...Medina....Jerusalem...or Hollywood for inspiration -- I go to the Bronx and visit Yankee Stadium. Kris and I went up with a couple from church and experienced another glorious Spring day at the "House that Ruth Built." Yankee Stadium was built over 75 years ago and still stands as the premiere sports arena in the country. I think it is because of the history. More Hall of Famers ran the bases on that diamond then anyother ball field! The memorial in centerfield indicates that Ruth, Gehrig, Dimag, Ford, Berra, Mantle, Maris, Murcer, Mattingly and Munson all played here! What is fascinating is taking non-Yankee fans to the stadium and watching their attitude change as they experience one of the great athletic events any where. You get captured by the aura of the place and even the most anti-Steinbrenner opponents melt in the Bronx Zoo!
The Boys of the Bronx got bombed by the Texas Rangers - 14-2. It was second loss in 16 visits to the stadium sitting in those seats. But it doesn't matter if they won or not (yes it does but sounds virtuous saying that) -- I just love being there and watching a game. By the way, we almost got impaled by a broken bat flying some 70 yards through the air like a broken plane propeller and landed two rows in front of us. No one hurt!
I got infected with Yankee fever when I was a boy and Dad would get tickets from his friend Dave Swanson. Dave owned
Thomas' English Muffins and had box seats. It was quite a treat. Then in 1966 Dad was asked to be a part of Bobby Richardson's retirement celebration. Richardson was one of the first Christian ball players to be vocal about his faith. In September of that year the Yanks had a retirement acknowledgement game and Dad and other Christian businessmen to head up the planning. He was on the field to present Bobby with a retirement gift. That day I got to walk thru the locker room and out thru the dug out with my father. Dad introduced me to a big strapping guy. I did not who it was -- later Dad told me it was Mickey Mantle. He said, "Someday you will realize who he is..." My fate was sealed. Fan for life!
There were other memorable moments....I was at the memorial game for Thurman Munson who was killed in a plane crash in 1979. I saw Ron Blomberg - the first designated hitter in baseball history play. I attended a couple of the 1990's World Series. Next year the All-Star game comes to the Bronx and Lord willing I will be there! And then we say good by to the old lady...the new Yankee Stadium opens in 2009 - the house that Ruth built is put to rest -- 80 years old! Again it sounds like a 40-something recalling boyhood memories -- I am!! But it was a wonderful memory -
baseball -- with your dad --- at Yankee Stadium!!! How much better does it get??