Submitted by Fred on

Yankee Home Opener!

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Games

This blog is dedicated to Paul Napolitano who invited me to be his guest at the Yankee home opener this past Monday.

Like a little boy, Sunday night, I was all excited in anticipation, but Mother Nature conspired to frustrate me as there was an unusually heavy Spring snowstorm in the night.

When I awoke Monday I found that everything was blanketed with heavy snow. As no decision had been made by the Yankees at that time with respect to playing or calling the game, I left all bundled up for the city intending to meet Paul at the Stadium. However, during my commute I learned that the game had been postponed until Tuesday at 4 o'clock.

Monday night the situation got worse as the next day's forecast was a 90% likelihood of cold rain at the 4:00 start.

On Tuesday morning with this forecast hovering, Paul and I agreed not to go on a fool's errand (to the game) and sit in the cold rain and await the unlikely removal of the tarp from the field.

We agreed the Yankees should have played Monday after the snow stopped and the sun shone.

But a while later, I had a change of mind and texted Paul asking him "Want to go and have an adventure?"  I added that my blog would be about our experience and he quickly responded "LOL. Then we've got to go!"

Then, mid day, the rains came in sheets and Jo railed we were "Nuts!", but Paul checked in that he would pick me up and we would head to the Stadium until we heard whether the game was cancelled. He arrived and we were off on our adventure peering through the cold rain and beating windshield wipers (pictured).

Fast forward to the end and it was one of those rare happenings which one approaches with trepidation and ambivalence and, to use a baseball analogy, it ends up being a Home Run!

It was so right and so good and in all my many years of Yankee fandom, my first Home Opener win!

Thank you Paul, thank you weather gods and thank you triumphant adventurous Human spirit!

Comments

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Thu, 04/05/2018 - 22:39

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Marilyn Genoa

Very cool and the lesson for us all

Submitted by Fred on Thu, 04/05/2018 - 22:44

In reply to by MarilynGenoa

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Fred Klein

I was a marathon runner
Paul Napolitano

Sometimes you just have to have faith that things will work out... Thanks for the push Fred!

Life is all about the adventure and the experiences we have with family and good friends.

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 04/05/2018 - 23:18

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Judy Mauer

Never turn down the opportunity for an adventure - we’ll done . Well done!
Victoria Drogin

Carpe Diem!!!! Love that you guys seized the moment and had an amazing time! Xo
Rona Gura

My friend's daughter's now fiancée was supposed to propose at batting practice at the opener that Monday. Apparently, he didn't want to wait until Tuesday so he found a different way. People plan. . .
Corey Bearak

Nice of Paul to take you. Had to miss Mets opener this year to visit Marisa and not risk being late for our flight. Watched it and kwelled. I've attended Mets openers in the worst conditions, including at Shea. Glad you braved it out. May you enjoy further home openers and wins (just not v my team!).
ODEY RAVIV

Knowing your win or bust approach, the Victory made the Freeze worthwhile!
When will baseball weather arrive!

Submitted by NeilHollander on Fri, 04/06/2018 - 06:27

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Neil Hollander

BRAVO YOU TWO ! The passion of the Boys of Summer . It keeps us going Brother ! The annual renewal that opening day provides . THERE IT GOES ! SEE YA ! The pinstripes literally jump out at ya . Visions of those Dog days in a long pennant race . GETCHA COLD BEER HERE !! " Now batting the centerfielder number 7 " Bob Sheppard's ghost echoes through the stadium in the Bronx . Ballantine Ale. The Three Ring Sign . The Boys of Summer are back . Mel Allen and his fedora . Holy Cow . The 4 train . The Monuments . This is why you challenged the elements . Tradition . Karma . The Iron Men . You and Paulie ! TRACK - WALL - SEE YA !

Hollander Sends

Submitted by Fred on Fri, 04/06/2018 - 07:57

In reply to by NeilHollander

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Fred Klein

You have a gift and as long as it is channeled it is perfect!
Paul Napolitano

As long as all the Bomber’s home runs go to RIGHT field, Neil and I are good!

Submitted by Steven_Lichtenstein on Fri, 04/06/2018 - 13:55

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Steven Lichtenstein
Kelly Welles

Ambivalence is a curious thing. When in doubt, I usually don’t. But I must admit there have been times when bucking resistance has yielded home runs. Hooray!!!

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