Today was a magnificant day in many respects, but the most important was that I and a couple of buddies headed up to the Bronx to experience "Yankee-Nation." This was my fourth trip this season and hopefully will not be my last and after today things look good. Today my Yanks defeated the evil empire of the Boston Red Sox and completed a three-game sweep of their arch rivels!
It was a great day in that I got to enjoy the day with Eddie B, Nate the Skate and longtime, childhood friend Eric. Eddie has made the trip to Baseball Mecca once before. Even though he is a dyed in the wool Orioles fan, he does have a soft spot in his heart for the history surrounding the Pinstripes! For Nate this was his maiden voyager and the very first time at the Stadium that Ruth built! It was like a "bar mitzpah" of sorts. On the ride home I asked him if he "felt different." he wasn't sure what I meant -- which gives me cause for concern! Before the day began, he was a big Chicago Cubs fan - you have to feel bad for the guy. By this time next summer, he should convert and start feeling the pull up the NJ Turnpike each year!!
As for Eric, it was a sweet reunion. Eric and I have been friends for 41 years. Prior to experiencing today -- we had attended dozens of Yankee games as kids. Not to mention sneaking into MAdison Square Garden at 16 years old for Friday night fights! The last time we were at the Stadium with each other was the night after Yankee great Thurman Munson was killed in a private plane crash -- that was August 1979! Wow!! All these years later and back at the park!
That is what a place like Yankee-Nation does to you....brings people together....makes you declare your loyalties....you get to talk about great moments in sports and when you became conscience of sports in general....it makes memories....and brings to mind the good old days! Yanks are 5 games behind Bean-Town and 1/2 game ahead of the Marniers for the Wild Card. With any luck, I will be sitting in the same ones I was today for a play-off game or better the SERIES!
GO YANKS!