Emery's Island: P52 Week 43: The Love of The Game

Old Timey

I've always had a love of the Game. What Game? Baseball of course! And this is a fitting week for me to ramble on about it, following the BOSTON RED SOX WORLD SERIES WIN!!!! Ya-HOO!
My dad was a big Red Sox fan, and that coupled with growing up in Red Sox Nation, made me the fan that I am today.

Part of My Ward-drobe..

I remember as a little kid, my dad taking me to that hallowed Museum known as Fenway Park. I remember the smells of the food coming from sidewalk vendors, especially the Peanut vendors. Same guys every year with their "Peanuts, Pistachios, Cashews!" chant. I remember these 2 guys in particular. If you're a local, you know who I'm talking about. One guy may have been Italian. A short guy with a strong accent and a small mustache. Another guy never said anything, but he had a curled up old cowboy hat, and smoked a Sherlock Holmes-type pipe, and had wizened, smiling eyes. They were part of the culture and helped instill the love of the game in me.

Red Sox

I'd always have to get a score book, and check the latest stats of my favorite players, and keep stats on every play. I was a Big Fan of Yaz, and Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson.

YAZ!

I'd bring my glove to the game, in the hopes that I'd be one of the lucky few who would catch a foul ball. The only time a ball came close, I was looking at my score book writing in the last play. The ball went sailing over my head, just out of my dad's reach..Dang...Not sure if I ever kept score after that!

Lucky Bandana

I always loved playing baseball too. From playing catch with my dad, to pick-up games with friends. I played softball all through my teen years with DeMolay. Great memories. I tried out for the Northeastern University Baseball team. Didn't make the cut though, but at least I tried out. I was good at 3rd base, but I've always had a mental problem with throwing. If a ball came at me and I just threw it, I was ok. But if I had too much time to think about it, there was a very good chance that the ball was not going where it should. I made the Wentworth Institute baseball team. Can’t remember much about those days though. I was stuck out in Center field, and was just an average hitter. Nothing exciting to report.

On my Left Leg

Once I had my own kids, I shared my love of baseball. From playing catch, or signing them up for T-ball or town leagues. Most of the time, they were just picking daisies out in the field, but I tried to give them a taste of it. I enjoyed taking them to a couple of Red Sox games, and AAA games. Trying to pass the torch as it were.

My Papelbon Shirt.. (Remember Him?)

I can remember my son Jordan (Sorry girls, your brother is just a natural athlete), when he was about 14. That was the summer that he burned his first fastball into the palm of my glove. It was a mix of complete pain, and utter joy, at what just happened… He had grown about 8 inches over the winter, and was now able to play an awesome game of catch. He developed a fine curve ball and Knuckle ball too. He could have played HS baseball, but just liked playing with the ol' man. And I’ll admit, I’m not as young as I used to be. The last few years, I've had to ask him to hold back a bit because my reflexes aren't as quick as they used to be. I was seriously afraid he was going to kill me out in the back yard.

The Lucky Head-Toppers

Anyway, I digress, but I’m trying to explain the love I have for the game of baseball.
Now, down in North Carolina, I didn't get to see the Red Sox play very often. Just when they played the cursed Yankees on the game of the week. But I followed their stats this year. And when they made the playoffs, it was a whole new season for me. Getting to watch every game. Up til midnight almost every night for 3 weeks. And making it to the World Series again. And Winning Again! Gosh!

Big Curt

And despite the funny looks I got from Sue, I know deep down that I had played an active part in them winning…Back in 2004 and 2007, the Sox won because I started wearing my Carl Yastrzemski shirt. This year though, it wasn't working…I had to switch to Curt Schilling. Yes, that helped them. And there were a few times, I Sh$t you not, when I would plunk my Sox scally cap on my head, and also my upside-down inside-out Sox baseball cap, and Lucky Bandana and someone would hit a home run.

More of the Uniform

That David Ortiz grand slam in the playoffs-Yup, that was thanks to me.You’re very welcome! Sue would shake her head in amazement at me. Remember, as the Bud Lite ad says “It’s only weird if it doesn't work”. But that is what a fan of the game will do. Whatever it takes.

It's Only Weird if it Doesn't Work

Before the Sox won last week, I had to admit, that win or lose, if you were a fan of the game of baseball, it was a great series. It’s America’s favorite past-time and I’m happy to be a Red Sox fan.