YankeesRedSox.com

Today was a very special day for me because today was the day I took my five-year old daughter to her first Yankee game. The memories flooded back as she strained to see the Stadium out the window of the subway, just as I remember doing as a kid. 

But, I could see that there would be some differences from the way my first game went immediately. On the way to the Bronx I had promised her a hat.  So, when we went to the store she picked out a shiny Yankee hat, totally pink. 

As she ate her hotdog she asked me who my favorite player was. I told her Mariano Rivera and she thought a minute.  Then she pointed at the field and said, "that's my favorite".  Unclear on who she meant, I started saying names.  "A-Rod" I asked, hoping the answer would be no.  "Not him came the reply" "Ramiro Pena," I asked trying to figure out how I would explain that her favorite player wasn't going to play very often.  "No, him" came the insistent shout which could be translated as "Dad, smarten up and look where I am pointing."  It then became clear to me that she was pointing towards first and so I said, "Mark Teixeira?" and a smile came to my face as she said yes and I reflected on the symmetry of the moment.  Her favorite player wears #25 and plays a great firstbase, mine wore #23 and did the same. 

There were some questions that made me laugh like "Why did they paint those yellow poles yellow?  Why didn't they paint them pink?"  

There was the joy in seeing a young fan take in the whole experience and walk away from it wanting more.

Thanks Ellie for giving your Dad a day he will never forget and I can't wait until we go again.