![\"SheilaRedSox.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/SheilaRedSox.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOkay. 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.<\/p>\n
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October 1 YAZ DAY<\/strong> And now – Yaz Fever is in!<\/p>\n 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?<\/i>], and they all started applauding and cheering with us. The whole bus waved banners at us, and the whole street went nuts!!<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/i>]<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I love Boston. I love the Red Sox. I love the people in Boston.<\/p>\n The game started. Cleveland was up first.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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!!<\/p>\n 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!<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Then – when he was up – and he started for the plate – I can’t explain it.<\/p>\n Or – yes, I can. [Hahahahaha I knew you could<\/i>]<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Oh my God, it was so beautiful the way he did it.<\/p>\n We all went bonkers!<\/p>\n Me and Brendan were screaming and waving, Jean was crying – then Yaz tipped his hat again – It was positively wonderful.<\/p>\n I almost cried. I wonder if Yaz almost cried.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The other amazing thing about the night was when we all stood up for “The Star-Spangled Banner”.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n America really is beautiful.<\/p>\n Baseball games make me realize that all over again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … Continue reading
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n