Final Trip To The House That Papa Built

On Tuesday night, Staci, Mary, Jimmy & myself took the trip out to the Bronx one last time for old Yankee Stadium. The three of my road-mates were happy with an 8-2 Yankee win over the Twins. The trip was nostalgic, as Mary and I spent many Sunday afternoons in our childhood at Yankee Stadium. Our grandfather ran bus trips from Scranton out to the Bronx, and they were always entertaining and some of the best memories of our childhoods. Our last trip was in 1994, as the rising ticket prices and the horrible strike finally made my grandfather decide it was not worth it any longer.



In the 15 years leading up to that, though, Papa always got great seats and tried to find the most entertaining weekend- we were there for Bobby Murcer Day, Phil Rizzuto Day (when they brought a cow out on the field for him), Billy Martin Day. We also got to see Tom Seaver throw his 300th win against the Yankees, to this day the only true milestone I have witnessed live.



So, Mary and I remembered all this and more, from "iced tea" to lucky numbers. Mary even made me a pepperoni and butter sandwich, just like Grandma used to (we were not allowed to eat at games- "why would we spend $2 on a hot dog when we can make 20 sandwiches for the same amount?" HA!). We were able to get seats right behind where Papa always got his seats, so we had the same view as the old days. Another sign of changing times- seats that cost $7 in 1987 are now $75. Some things remain- Bob Sheppard's amazing voice still echoes from the PA system, and the outfield bunting and scoreboard are the same. But the days of Mattingly, Winfield, Guidry are long gone. And so are the days of $2 hot dogs, $7 seats, and Papa's bus trips. But somehow, 10 years after he left this planet, Papa was there Tuesday night, ensuring one more win for his Yankees in front of his two eldest grandchildren. And he was smiling as the strains of Sinatra played one last time for us in Yankee Stadium.