zero360/music

Old Friend

Sep 22, 2008 ramblings, sojourn

Yogi Berra may have said it best tonight, “I’m not going to miss it”, referring to Yankee Stadium, where the last game of its storied 85 years was played in front of over 74,000 fans. As a boy, I attended several games and got to see the likes of Pepitone, Mantle, Maris, Howard, play ball on the perhaps the most famous of diamond dust. Too young to really understand the history and lore, more than aware of the dreams it placed in my heart.

Baseball preceded my enamor with music, and very much remained during my stages of developing as a musician. I have childhood memories of oiling my glove in the latter days of each winter in anticipation of the season’s first game of catch. From then until the chill of October we played baseball, stick ball, whiffle ball — any and all forms of our great national past time.

I believe my father had hopes that all his boys would become players. Only my youngest brother and I really stuck it with any semblance of endurance and passion. I gave up softball a few years back because my competitive nature was turning nicks into bodily damage. There’s been a deep void in my soul since that day. My youngest son enjoys the game, but the jury is still out on whether he’ll give what it takes to make a run at college ball or the bright lights of the “bigs”.

Yankee Stadium is an old friend to New Yorkers and the extensive cast of players that graced its stage. I’ve stayed up way too late all too many times during playoff and series games to watch the Yanks, win or lose, and there have been many bittersweet moments.

I’m grateful to say I got to go to the stadium on more than one occasion with my dad; and though he got into the Mets when they came on the scene in the early 60’s, the Yankees were his first love as a New York baseball fan. I’m sure he would have enjoyed the game tonight, and maybe shed a tear like me when the last out was made and the broadcast was over.

I’ll keep Yogi’s words close to the vest and do my best not to miss Yankee Stadium. Jeter, too, said it well, “memories are made to be passed on to generations.” From Rizzuto’s “holy cows”, to Reggie’s three home runs in a single World Series game, to the countless other dramatic plays, hits, and pitching performances, thank you “old friend”. You won’t be missed… so long as you continue to be a part of me and everyone else who chooses to let you live on instead of saying good-bye.

Tags: baseball, dreams, memories, new york yankees