Red's day off

Even I need a day off. How convenient that my first day off in a loooooooong time be spent watching the Yankees play the Angels in Yankee Stadium. The sky was dark with looming rainclouds just beyond the horizon, but it seemed like the brightest day I've had in weeks seeing the people gather towards the entrance with such anticipation. I've never gone to a baseball game so the entire vibe was new to me. I'm glad that Alison was there to introduce me to the experience. Alison is a die hard Yankees fan and all of her rah-rahness started to rub off on me. I heard that Yankees fans are something else, now I know for sure. Stepping out into the box seats overlooking home plate and first base, I took my first look at the plush green field marred only by the baseball diamond and entrenched by a sea of people. It was beautiful. If I were a lesser man I might have shed a tear. (Thanks mom.)


I'll never forget the sound of the Star Spangled Banner being played by the Marine marching band echoing across the field and into the stands. It seriously made the hair on my arms stand up. How much more American can you get? Baseball at Yankee Stadium with the Marines playing the national anthem, followed by a gourgefest of hotdogs and beer and screaming a slew of profanities at the visiting team. It was seriously a patriotic good time. Early in the 5th inning with the Yankees down 4-1 the storm clouds gave way to an outpour of which I've never seen in NYC. It rained like a typhoon from Manila. Fierce, unforgiving, and relentless the water came rushing down upon everyone forcing a rain delay that left everyone scrambling for cover and soaking wet. Luckily, Alison bought us official Yankee ponchos to keep us dry during the downpour. It worked to some extent. And so like the diehard fan that I was for the day I sat in my seat through the rain soldiering on patiently for its' finish so that the game could continue.

That was not to be. It rained like it was its' job for about two hours. Finally Alison and I decided to call it a day and head back to the city, but not before taking a photo opt behind home plate.

Overall it was a wonderous experience, one I'll never forget and will partake in regularly in the years to come.