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Play Ball! A Farewell to Yankee Stadium

July 15th, 2008 category: People and Places, Real Estate News

I know this is a Real Estate Blog-(here comes the “but”)- but…allow me to ramble on a bit about America’s Game.

We are fortunate to have Mark Stark on our real estate team- he gets us into Yankee Stadium. As an esteemed umpire with years of Little League experience, Mark was chosen in one of these final “hurrahs” for Yankee stadium to attend a Little League game sponsored by, and for, White & Case, llp.

I tagged along with Mark to this event- an afternoon of baseball played by just, well, us and others, on the magic grass of Yankee Stadium- the shadow of “greats” encompassing us in awe. Their “dirt”.

Little did I know that the 1978 World Series MVP, Bucky Dent, was to be there also.

Well, we ended up having Bucky Dent pitch for us.

I was catcher and Mark called the balls & strikes. A “picnic” pick up game of all ages and skill levels. Just like that.

I never thought that I would be standing on the field of Yankee Stadium having a catch with one of my baseball heroes- only in a dream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbjT8RcOeEU

I have been to watch many games in Yankee Stadium. I’ve sat in the bleachers; nose bleed seats, and even behind the plate in the front row.

I’ve dined on both Filet Mignon at The Yankee Club and also polished off a quick dog under the bat before the first pitch. Many more dogs than steaks, relished.

I found myself standing with others in the flashing eclipse that contained bright lights that could be celebrated- where both giants & Giants have stood and played.

If there is any building that has a spirit to it, it is Yankee Stadium.

I only hope that some of the kids we were playing with appreciate the day as much as I did, now and as they grow older enjoying the fun and lessons that baseball and being a witness to greatness can offer. I don’t believe that there will ever be a stadium built again that has been host to so many historical and memorable moments. And yet…I look forward to the moment of being proven wrong.