I have been to both new stadiums this season, and I'm happy enough with both. After Old Timer day, I told my wife that this is it - no more baseball for the year. Unfortunately, I had told my son that I'd agree to go to the Red Sox game on August 9. Our cousins from the Upper West Side are Red Sox fans, and they asked if we could join them. Because of television, the game didn't start until 8, so I made arrangements to be off work the next day, figuring that I wouldn't be in bed until 2 AM.
We met the cousins at the main gate without a hitch. Since Wendee was wearing her full Red Sox regalia, she got a lot of attention but most of it was from other Bostonians. We warned them to expect a Yankees win. My son and I were at David Cone's perfect game 10 years ago, and we always wear the hats we wore to that game. During that time, we have only witnessed one Yankee loss. Would the hats work their magic one more time and bring on an improbable sweep of the Sox in the Bronx.
The game was a pitcher's duel for 6 innings. Then in the bottom of the 7th, A-Rod pasted one to the seats in front of us, and it was 1-0. We expressed ourselves but kept it dignified in respect for our cousins. Then in the top of the eighth, they hit a two run home run and it seemed like the end of the world. The 10% minority of Sox fans had their moment of ecstasy. Which lasted 5 minutes until the Yankees exploded in the bottom of the eighth. Two home runs followed by a base clearing double. I called my mother in Arizona who was watching the game, but I couldn't hear what I was saying, much less what she said back. The 9th saw Mo come in with a 3 run lead. He gave up a hit and a walk, so the game really went down to the last pitch. The walk to the subway station was verrrry long for our cousins. Some of the Bronx exuberance was a bit much, but Wendee admitted that if the tables were turned in Fenway, the fans would act even worse.
I found out that train service after midnight slows down considerably. If I had missed the 1:37, it would have been a 90 minute wait. I finally got so sleep at 3 AM after seeing the best baseball game in my life. The caps had worked their magic.
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