Monument Park

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For the first time I was able to walk Monument Park at the Stadium. I decided to get my photo taken in front of DiMaggio's plaque but could have chosen any number of places to stop.

I could have posed in front of Reggie's - three home runs on my 13th birthday to win a series.

I almost chose Ron Guidry's - he went 25-3 one year and I thought about sitting in the driveway at my parent's home and counting his strikeouts - 18 against the Angels.

Don Mattingly, of course was my all-time favorite player - day after day my brothers and I would rush to the set to watch Donnie Baseball come to bat.

Billy Martin's plaque was there too and I thought of standing next to it as I recalled wondering when he'd get fired again for punching someone out. Billy never took crap from anyone.

I finally chose DiMaggio because he bridged the gap between my grandfather and my father and perhaps if my father didn't find the love it would have never trickled down to us.

As for the game - the Yanks fell behind - and Jeter came to the plate with two on and two out - Matt (who is an A's fan) bowed his head. Even he knew what would happen.

It only took one pitch - Jeter lined it into center - Mariano turned out the lights -and I sat there - beer in hand, comfortable in my seat with the sun on my face - thinking of days gone by and thanking Jeter for one more memory.

As unimportant as it is in the grand scheme of things - it has a place. And yes, I did have a Heiny Light and a shot of Jameson's at Billy's Bar - it was the least I could do.

Comments

Gag said…
that's awesome buddy. You look thinner. Must be the pinstripes.
28 July, 2009
Carrie Lynn Fazzolari said…
You look dashing in those pinstripes! I'll be home SOON!!
29 July, 2009
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