Oct 5, 2022·edited Oct 5, 2022Liked by Liza Donnelly
Great post! brings up a lot of memories here.
When I was a cameraman, I was sent on several occasions to Yankee Stadium (the old one) to cover pre game and post game activities. The thrill of walking through the tunnel to the dugout where the sign that read, "I want to thank the good lord for making me a Yankee. - Joe DiMaggio" hanged over head and was touched by every player as they headed to the field is still with me.
But standing behind the cage at home plate and watching Don Mattingly take BP and whack one ball after the next over the wall was mind-blowing and changed my perspective. 400 feet suddenly seemed miles away and gave me a new appreciation for the game.
I also ended up with a list of friends that hated me. ;-)
What is it about baseball?? When I was growing up, as a Senator's fan, we were taught to hate the Yankees. I guess all other fans for other teams are taught the same. My father was best friends with Doug Wallop, the man who wrote the book "The Year The Yankees Lost The Pennant" which became the the musical Damn Yankees. When I moved to NYC, I had to be a Mets fan, and I was...loving the 1986 Mets season. Then I met my future husband, a Yankees fan, and I slowly became integrated and now a Yankee devotee. I love your story. Thanks for your kind words about the post!
Oct 6, 2022·edited Oct 6, 2022Liked by Liza Donnelly
Trust me, you haven't experienced true hatred for the Yankees until you attend a few Yankee vs. Red Sox games at Fenway Park. It is truly one of the greatest rivalries in sports. I had a rental car with NY plates destroyed up there after the Red Sox lost to the Yankees. Good thing I took the extra insurance.
I too was a Met fan back in the day. My parents divorced and my dad moved back into Manhattan. I lived with mom on the north shore of LI. We were on the Port Washington branch of the LIRR and Shea Stadium was on the way to Manhattan. That was my first exposure to Major League Baseball. Me, dad, hot dogs and the Mets! The year was 1969 and I can still name that Mets lineup. I stuck around for '86 too, but then I moved into Manhattan, came to my senses and got sucked into the Yankee vortex. However, I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Mets. I'll also root for any team that can beat the Red Sox.
After the 2003 ALCS Yankees victory over the Red Sox, via Aaron Boone's 11th inning walk off home run, comedian and Boston fan, Dennis Leary, appeared on Conan O'Brien.
LEARY: Hey, you know what Connecticut is?
CONAN: What?
LEARY: The state the Red Sox have to drive through after losing to the Yankees.
A wonderful thread on baseball. It evokes many memories. I was an 8 year old a kid in New Jersey and can remember Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s HR record on the last day of the 1961 season. The anticipation leading up to it was as intense as the event.
Your time with the Yankees is very special and agree, Baseball remains a peaceful diversion in these times.
I remember going to a game (Orioles.vs Yankees?) with both Dad & your father. They had small bets going on EVERYTHING - which team would score in the 3rd inning, would draw a walk in the 7th, etc. Much needling between them....
I posted this last night on my fb page regarding the retirement of Red Sox announcer (and bb hof'er) Dennis Eckersley ....
Apple cider, foliage, crisp air, more foliage, playoff baseball - I love autumn
Speaking of baseball, the Red Sox season ended today. 1 year to the day I sat front row at Fenway Park with my friend Alex at the Sox / Yankees playoff game. It was an amazing evening, no such luck this year.
This season has been painful, but no matter how bad the team does (and for as many World Series wins, there has been an equal amount of last place finishes) there has been one thing that has had me tuning in …......... Dennis Eckersley.
Eck retired today and I am truly going to miss him. In the old days of baseball there was real comfort in listening to the great broadcasters spin a game on the radio. I found that same comfort listening to Dennis Eckersley.
Smart, funny, kind, honest, warm and highly informative, Eck made each game a joy. For close to 20 years I have loved listening to him as I would wind down the night. I am amazed how sad I am to see him go. I sure do wish him well. I am so grateful for all those nights together.
Baseball radio announcers are so great. THey bring the joy and love of the game to life, the good ones do. I know Eckersley's name, and probably know his voice. Thanks for the comment!
So great to read this post. The Seattle Mariners are in the playoffs for the first time in 21 years and our city is mad with joy and fear! Baseball!
And the Yankees too! Congrats to the Mariners and Seattle!
You going to give us a peek at Didi's drawing? Or is it just between you two? This is like a lost Michelangelo....
Ha! I don't know if I am at the liberty to publish it.....
Better to ask forgiveness than...risk copyright infringement. But I'm sure Didi would be THRILLED to be included in the 'stack of a Top Cartoonist!
Aw, that's nice of you to say, Peter. I'm not so sure he would!
Great post! brings up a lot of memories here.
When I was a cameraman, I was sent on several occasions to Yankee Stadium (the old one) to cover pre game and post game activities. The thrill of walking through the tunnel to the dugout where the sign that read, "I want to thank the good lord for making me a Yankee. - Joe DiMaggio" hanged over head and was touched by every player as they headed to the field is still with me.
But standing behind the cage at home plate and watching Don Mattingly take BP and whack one ball after the next over the wall was mind-blowing and changed my perspective. 400 feet suddenly seemed miles away and gave me a new appreciation for the game.
I also ended up with a list of friends that hated me. ;-)
What is it about baseball?? When I was growing up, as a Senator's fan, we were taught to hate the Yankees. I guess all other fans for other teams are taught the same. My father was best friends with Doug Wallop, the man who wrote the book "The Year The Yankees Lost The Pennant" which became the the musical Damn Yankees. When I moved to NYC, I had to be a Mets fan, and I was...loving the 1986 Mets season. Then I met my future husband, a Yankees fan, and I slowly became integrated and now a Yankee devotee. I love your story. Thanks for your kind words about the post!
Trust me, you haven't experienced true hatred for the Yankees until you attend a few Yankee vs. Red Sox games at Fenway Park. It is truly one of the greatest rivalries in sports. I had a rental car with NY plates destroyed up there after the Red Sox lost to the Yankees. Good thing I took the extra insurance.
I too was a Met fan back in the day. My parents divorced and my dad moved back into Manhattan. I lived with mom on the north shore of LI. We were on the Port Washington branch of the LIRR and Shea Stadium was on the way to Manhattan. That was my first exposure to Major League Baseball. Me, dad, hot dogs and the Mets! The year was 1969 and I can still name that Mets lineup. I stuck around for '86 too, but then I moved into Manhattan, came to my senses and got sucked into the Yankee vortex. However, I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Mets. I'll also root for any team that can beat the Red Sox.
After the 2003 ALCS Yankees victory over the Red Sox, via Aaron Boone's 11th inning walk off home run, comedian and Boston fan, Dennis Leary, appeared on Conan O'Brien.
LEARY: Hey, you know what Connecticut is?
CONAN: What?
LEARY: The state the Red Sox have to drive through after losing to the Yankees.
I know! My husband, Michael, went once to Fenway and was afraid to wear his Yankee cap!
If I had more time in my day, I would be a Mets Fan too. My second favorite team. Then the Phillies!
A wonderful thread on baseball. It evokes many memories. I was an 8 year old a kid in New Jersey and can remember Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s HR record on the last day of the 1961 season. The anticipation leading up to it was as intense as the event.
Your time with the Yankees is very special and agree, Baseball remains a peaceful diversion in these times.
Thanks, Paul. That's so great that you recall the last record by Maris!
You are the best! I feel the same about my dad and baseball.
I didn't know Uncle Fred took you to games! That's great, Kate. We had good fathers.
I remember going to a game (Orioles.vs Yankees?) with both Dad & your father. They had small bets going on EVERYTHING - which team would score in the 3rd inning, would draw a walk in the 7th, etc. Much needling between them....
so great, I didn't know that, Kate!
This was so awesome!!!
I posted this last night on my fb page regarding the retirement of Red Sox announcer (and bb hof'er) Dennis Eckersley ....
Apple cider, foliage, crisp air, more foliage, playoff baseball - I love autumn
Speaking of baseball, the Red Sox season ended today. 1 year to the day I sat front row at Fenway Park with my friend Alex at the Sox / Yankees playoff game. It was an amazing evening, no such luck this year.
This season has been painful, but no matter how bad the team does (and for as many World Series wins, there has been an equal amount of last place finishes) there has been one thing that has had me tuning in …......... Dennis Eckersley.
Eck retired today and I am truly going to miss him. In the old days of baseball there was real comfort in listening to the great broadcasters spin a game on the radio. I found that same comfort listening to Dennis Eckersley.
Smart, funny, kind, honest, warm and highly informative, Eck made each game a joy. For close to 20 years I have loved listening to him as I would wind down the night. I am amazed how sad I am to see him go. I sure do wish him well. I am so grateful for all those nights together.
Baseball radio announcers are so great. THey bring the joy and love of the game to life, the good ones do. I know Eckersley's name, and probably know his voice. Thanks for the comment!