Diary Friday

Today’s entry is from October 1, 1983. I think I’m 14 years old. Something like that.

It seems a propos to post this today.

October 1, 1983 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, 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.

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.

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.