Okay. Get ready for some sappy Americana, teenage-girl-diary style! Sheila, circa age 13 or something, going with her family to see Carl Yazstremski’s second to last game with the Red Sox. It is a propos today, of all days. Just cause. Afraid to say more. Let’s just put one foot in front of the other, people. And remember where we came from.
October 1 YAZ DAY
We got home so so so late last night. It was SO FUN. I love baseball. I always have. And Fenway Park! All of Boston. The people in Boston are so nice. So friendly. Very down to earth. Boston really comes alive on home games.
And now – Yaz Fever is in!
As we came down the little narrow street towards Fenway Park – it was packed with screaming people waving Yaz banners. And as we were driving up, we passed this schoolbus full of kids, they all had on Yaz hats – and were really rowdy. We started waving at them – I whipped off Jean’s Yaz hat [Sheila: did you ask your sister if you could steal her hat?], and they all started applauding and cheering with us. The whole bus waved banners at us, and the whole street went nuts!!
Inside Fenway Park, it was a mad house. And coming out into the stands, with the lights, and the sizzling excitement, and the teams right there warming up … Our seats were really good. Right along the third baseline.
We looked for Yaz but couldn’t find him. I felt like I was waiting for the curtain to open on a big show or something. [What a penetratingly original analogy]
At 7:30, they announced the line-up. Yaz was fifth. We all went wild when they called his name. The crowd was screaming and screaming and screaming – we just would not stop. It was great.
I love Boston. I love the Red Sox. I love the people in Boston.
The game started. Cleveland was up first.
I wish we could have seen Yaz play first, but he was the designated hitter. When they announced Dennis Eckersley, Brendan went, “Oh, don’t boo!” Everyone did, anyway.
And Jim Rice was right out there. I LOVE JIM RICE. It was so amazing to see all these stars and players I have idolized since I was 8 years old! They were all right there!!
When the Red Sox were up, you could just feel the anticipation. Just waiting for Yaz. He was up 5th. But everyone went hysterical whenever anyone made a hit. I got so worked up!
Then – oh God – when Yaz was on deck – all these camera flashes went off – everywhere across the Park – blinding! All I could do was just stare at Yaz warming up. He is such a hero to me. I swear that nobody was watching the actual game. They were just watching him.
Then – when he was up – and he started for the plate – I can’t explain it.
Or – yes, I can. [Hahahahaha I knew you could]
All of Fenway Park immediately stood up and cheered and cheered and cheered – I was leaping, waving my arms, SCREAMING. This went on for about five minutes. Or longer. Really! No one got tired, no one could stop.
Yaz just stood there with his bat – and stood there – as the whole Park went NUTS – and after a while, he turned to us, and tipped his hat.
Oh my God, it was so beautiful the way he did it.
We all went bonkers!
Me and Brendan were screaming and waving, Jean was crying – then Yaz tipped his hat again – It was positively wonderful.
I almost cried. I wonder if Yaz almost cried.
Finally – FINALLY – we all sat down, still all revved up. Then – he took his stance – and on the first pitch – you could hear this CRACK – the crack of the bat – and everyone JUMPED UP again – yelling, screaming, going positively crazy – I almost had a coronary. It was a single, but we got to see Yaz hit. We got to see Yaz hit. This will be the last time we ever get to see Yaz hit.
I have always loved Yaz. He seems like a really nice guy – or something. Like he has kept his feet on the ground. And the way he tipped his hat to all of us – to all of Boston – I still feel like crying, when I think of it.
The other amazing thing about the night was when we all stood up for “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
It is very hard NOT to feel patriotic – with the flag waving in the wind against the dark sky, and everyone around you, hands on their hearts, singing LOUD.
America really is beautiful.
Baseball games make me realize that all over again.
Captain Carl, last of the Working Class Heroes.
Tomorrow night seems abn awfully long time to wait, eh?
What a memory. I remember when his last game came around and he circled the field hi-fiving all the fans he could reach. Players do that kind of stuff now after a clutch hit, but at the time it was unheard of. It was really touching in that he ran ALL THE WAY AROUND FENWAY. Almost like he’d started and then realized he had no choice but to go all the way around. He went by the parts of the stands where he couldn’t reach (centerfield, behind the bullpens) and he took the time to wave to all those people that he couldn’t touch.
i’m gonna cry. YAZZZZ!!!
Bring on game 6 bitches!
Damn, Brendan. I’m not a Red Sox fan(I know, sacrilege), but your comment brought up memories of so many sporting events that I used to attend with my Dad. He’s in the grip of Alzheimer’s now, and his interest in sports, and most else, is minimal. But, I remember a better time, and all the great moments his interest led me to witness. The heroes of that time just seemed Bigger, didn’t they?
Forgive me for sounding judgemental towards todays ballplayers, but none of them have the class the old timers had. Would Yaz have said what Manny was quoted as saying this week? No way. Jim Lomborg, Capt’n Carl, Tony C. Rico Petrocelli, Carlton Fisk, and Jim Rice, Ken Harellson and so on were true to the name on the front of the uniform.
Godloveya Sheila. If you had known when you were 13 that your diary would timetravel to 2007 and be read by people electronically, what would you have thought?
I love Diary Friday.
Susan
Sheila–I just read the whole post. I am at work. I had just gotten to the part about patriotism, and I got a call from a broker. I was so choked up, I could hardly speak. I am a sucker for such things. You were one lovable little girl–still are.
I think this is my favorite Diary Friday you’ve ever posted. “I love the Red Sox!!!” That is so adorable.
/I almost cried. I wonder if Yaz almost cried./
Hahaha! Sheila, that is so funny and sweet.
tracey – hahaha i know. It’s alllllll about the emotion. What was Yaz FEELING???
DBW – smooch!!!
You knew it all at 13. You’re pretty amazing Sheila-
Enjoy the game tomorrow-
I love that you use the word “coronary” — as if “heart attack” simply won’t do. Hahaha.
How wild that they were playing Cleveland!
Go Sox!!!
There is nothing like the singing of the Star Spangled Banner in a baseball park. I mean, basketball games, football games, etc. are not the same. The national anthem gives me goosebumps but in a baseball park it chokes me up. It’s magical, almost spiritual mixed with shared excitement.
Sweet memory, adorable pic.
I know this feeling exactly. When they won in 2004 and when they won last night. It doesn’t matter what the game is. They make me so happy.
OK, I’m an idiot… but…
Kitty!
And that being said, yes, Yaz was awesome. (And a Long Island boy.)