Let's Go Yankees, Let's Go

It just so happens that yesterday night I had the chance to attend a Yankees' game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. During the barbecue on Saturday, the TFA staff was handing out tickets that had been donated by Bank of America (a supporter of both Teach For America and the Yankees). I got a single ticket by sticking my hand out authoritatively when the passing out frenzy was in process. On Tuesday afternoon, after a short training day with the New York City Dept. of Ed. teaching mentors, I headed up to Yankee Stadium. It is actually three short express stops from where I usually get on the subway so it didn't take long to get there at all.
When I entered the stadium, I knew this would be an exciting experience. Instead of stairs, elevators or escalators, this mammoth ballpark has ramps everywhere that take spectators to the upper levels. I got to my seat, in the top tier of course, I didn't see any of my fellow teachers. At first I thought I was in the wrong spot, but quickly realized that I was the first one from my group to arrive. The view was spectacular from up there - blue sky, white puffy clouds and planes flying overhead from LaGuardia Airport every few minutes. Soon the sun began to set, the clouds and buildings took on the pinks and other pastels indicative of a gorgeous sunset. Some of my compatriots arrived and the game begin. I must admit the biggest disappointment of the whole night was when they played a recorded version of the National Anthem. Can you believe that? Nevertheless, it was great to see the stadium and experience New York baseball.
The best part of the game was Vinny. Vinny is from Jersey and absolutely loves Yankee baseball. He was sitting next to me throughout the game, sharing insights on the sport, chronicling the life story of several players and, most importantly, heckling the players all the way from the top deck. My favorite line, one that he continually shouted at the field, was, "You're a bum!" Vinny also had a 20 oz. beer in one hand and a 16 oz. in the other. He was quite a character.
I decided to leave at the top of the eighth, attempting to miss the crowds in the mass exodus at the end of the game. The first four innings had been pretty slow and I felt that my Yankee experience was already close to complete. Well, leaving early was a big mistake. While I was watching the news this morning, I saw the highlights from the game - all from the ninth inning. The Yankees pulled it off in the bottom of the ninth, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5 to 4. What a game!