When my dad woke me in 1962 to tell me that we were going to the World Series I sat at the end of his bed and cried with joy. We sat in the stands through a rain delay and a cancelation. We returned the next day and watched Tom Tresh hit a three run homer in the bottom of the 8th as he lead the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the SF Giants. We sat in the upper deck in the last row of section 27.
A year later, Dad got tickets for Game 1. We met a friend of dad's at the Old Homestead, one of America's great steakhouses on 9th Ave in the meat market district. His friend, who was not much of a baseball fan, gave us tickets in section 3 behind home plate and near Commissioner Ford Frick tickets. Tom Tresh hit a HR that day too, but it was not enough to stop a new World Series record of 15 strikeouts by Sandy Koufax. 5-2 Dodger win.
We returned in 1964 for game 5. Tom Tresh hits a 2 run homer to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th. Tim McCarver hits a 3 run homer in the 10th and Bob Gibson pitches a complete game as the Cards beat the Yanks 5-2
Imagine walking up to the ticket window and purchasing a ticket. My sister called my dad from Baltimore and said I have tickets for you. Dad and I drove to Baltimore with my Uncle George and my cousin Jay to see the Orioles beat the Red 6-5 in Game 4 of the 1970 World Series. Future HOFers Pete Rose and Brooks Robinson each hit a home run.
1981 was a crazy strike stortened season. My particular dear friend Anita, who was Mark Santangelo's 4-star nurse secured tickets to game 1 and the Yanks won 5-3. Guidry got the win and Goose Gossage got the save. Our tickets were at the will call box. We arrived at the same time as Cary Grant. They waived Mr. Grant in and we followed. I still have the uncut ticket. We then attend a pre-game party in a luxury box with Bucky Dent.
Wondering how I ended up watching 2 games in the 1986 World Series? I have been a Red Sox season ticket holder since 1979. Saw game 3 with Jim LaBrecque and game 5 with Kevin Murray. The Mets beat Oil Can Boyd 7-1 in game 3 and Bruce Hurst pitched a complete game 4-2 vistory in game 5.
If game 5 in 1962 was my favorite baseball game as a child, then game 4 in 2001 was my favorite as an adult. Life came full circle as I took my son Lou to the Jeter Game. Tino ties the game with a 2 run HR in the bottom of the 9th and Jeter wins it 4-3 in the 10th. I hugged dad in victory in 1962 and Lou in 2001. Mo got the win in relief.
Lou, Jay, G and I saw the masterful Andy Pettitte win game 2 in 2003, 6-1. Matsui hit a 3 run homer in the first and Soriano added a 2 run HR in the 4th. Noreen and I attended game 6. It was great to be with her, but very difficult to see the Marlins win 2-0 and celebrate their World Series championship in our house.
