D-Lite
New member
Back in 1995, the Yankees made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. I wasn't missing their first game, but being in Worcester, MA for college, I had to do some finessing of my time, money, and transportation to make it happen. I managed to score 4 bleacher tickets by phone (going to operator hell to make that happen) and we were set for Game 1.
4-5 hours drive and we get there about 90 minutes early and decide to hit Monument Park. But with little time to spare we end up getting shuffled out, but through the regular grandstands entrance as it happens. We're in, and totally by accident. So now we hunt for 4 seats during the maddest rush of attendance they had in years.
Somehow we get four seats about 25 rows back behind first base and everyone around us knows we're watching everyone that walks up and down the aisles as if they're going to pounce on us. sending us back to the bleachers.
And then it happens. Getting close to first pitch, the field is mostly empty before the lineups are to be introduced and two figures emerge from the dugout, hit the right field line, and wind sprint away. Don Mattingly and the other I can't recall. The crowd notices as the field is mostly his at the moment and of course this being Donnie Ballgame's first and only playoff appearance. The standing ovation rose like thunder and persisted for what felt like somewhere between mere moments to eternity. He realized what was happening and gave what had to be one of the most heartfelt acknowledgements to the crowd I've ever witnessed. It was both the beginning and the end that day and for a lot of us in attendance a purely magical moment.
We made it through the 5th inning in those seats, everyone around us watching our plight as well. And of course that was when the real ticket holders showed. Amazing. Griffey's line drive off the Utz sign, multiple lead changes, and eventually a Yankee win made that 5 hour car ride home more of a dream.
4-5 hours drive and we get there about 90 minutes early and decide to hit Monument Park. But with little time to spare we end up getting shuffled out, but through the regular grandstands entrance as it happens. We're in, and totally by accident. So now we hunt for 4 seats during the maddest rush of attendance they had in years.
Somehow we get four seats about 25 rows back behind first base and everyone around us knows we're watching everyone that walks up and down the aisles as if they're going to pounce on us. sending us back to the bleachers.
And then it happens. Getting close to first pitch, the field is mostly empty before the lineups are to be introduced and two figures emerge from the dugout, hit the right field line, and wind sprint away. Don Mattingly and the other I can't recall. The crowd notices as the field is mostly his at the moment and of course this being Donnie Ballgame's first and only playoff appearance. The standing ovation rose like thunder and persisted for what felt like somewhere between mere moments to eternity. He realized what was happening and gave what had to be one of the most heartfelt acknowledgements to the crowd I've ever witnessed. It was both the beginning and the end that day and for a lot of us in attendance a purely magical moment.
We made it through the 5th inning in those seats, everyone around us watching our plight as well. And of course that was when the real ticket holders showed. Amazing. Griffey's line drive off the Utz sign, multiple lead changes, and eventually a Yankee win made that 5 hour car ride home more of a dream.
