Now that I have relaxed (some what) and let the entire experience sink in a little bit, I'd like to share with you a once in a lifetime dream come true that happened to me last night, November 4, 2009.
Around 3pm I get a phone call that includes an invite to Game 6 of the World Series. Not only was this an invite to a World Series game, but an invite to sit in a luxury suite for this potential World Series clinching game. How do you turn that down??? You dont!
Being the huge Yankees fan I am, I immediately left work and headed home so I could get ready for the game. Knowing it will take a while to get to the stadium, I am rushing around a bit. Making sure the dogs are taken care of before I leave, finding my Yankees mock turtleneck and Joba Chamberlain jersey, and finding a pair of pants.
Since I was going to be watching the game from a luxury suite, I did not want to wear shorts or even jeans. The person that was driving me to the train station had arrived at my house in the mean time. Rushing so I wouldn't make this person wait, I left the house without my belt. Lets just say the pants I was wearing did not fit exactly how I would have liked, and not having a belt could develop into a problem at some point. I think to myself, no problem I will just find a belt shop in New York.
I get dropped off at the train station that I was to leave from. After walking up and purchasing my one way ticket to NY Penn Station, I just missed the train. No problem, I waited about a half hour and got on the next train toward NY Penn Station. Thankfully this one was some what of an express train, skipping a few stops on its route. I am estimating that the train ride took about 45 minutes.
Once I arrived at Penn Station in New York, I looked around for a tiny shop that I thought might sell belts. Luckily one of the first places I noticed was a tie shop. They also had belts. I went in and quickly picked out a belt. $35 later, problem solved. Once I was comfortable, I left Penn Station and walked a few blocks to Herald Square where I was to get on the subway. I took the D train from Herald Square to 161st, Yankee Stadium. It was a crowded train, as expected considering the event that was taking place in the Bronx.
Ok, I have arrived. I walked to the stadium, taking a deep breathe. The hustle was over. Game time was approaching. As per my instructions, I waited outside the Suite Entrance to Yankee Stadium until the gentleman that had invited me arrived with my ticket. While waiting, I had the pleasure of watching an individual who was selling Yankees apparel get arrested by a couple NYPD officers. Not sure if he definitely had gotten arrested or not, but he was handcuffed as the police officers searched his bags.
Once my ticket arrived, I entered the stadium and immediately took an elevator to the Suite Level since game time was quickly nearing. The suite was a beautiful room with plenty of seating for many guests. I did not know many of the others in the suite, but on this night, we were all Yankees fans. The suite was filled with tons of food and drinks and the wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The outside seating area of the suite was very cozy and offered a great view of the playing field.
As I looked around like anyone would do when they enter a ballpark, I took in the atmosphere. I looked to one side, then to the other. Then right back to that side as I recognized a woman in the suite right next to the one I was occupying. That woman was Dorothy Jeter, Derek Jeter's mother. Looking further, I also saw Dr. Jeter, Derek's father and Derek's sister as well. Then to the front row of that suite was Minka Kelly, Derek Jeter's girlfriend and rumored fiance. No ring though, so they either continue to keep it a secret, or its simply a rumor. Wow, I am sitting in a suite right next to the suite that Derek Jeter's family is located. How could this get any better you might say? Oh, it does.
Yankee stadium was packed and energetic from the get go. Mary J. Blige performed an excellent version of the National Anthem. She got the crowd going immediately. Former World Series hero, Scott Brosius threw out the ceremonial first pitch to a loud ovation. Another former star Tino Martinez then walked to the mound with a young boy to deliver the game ball. The "Let's Go Yankees" chant was being sung throughout the stadium at this point as the Yankees took the field. You would hear that chant many times during the night.
The next loud chant would be when Pedro Martinez took the mound for the Phillies in the bottom of the 1st inning. New York fans love to hate this guy. "Who's Your Daddy?" could be heard loud and clear. The crowd knew that our Yankees had a chance to become World Series Champions and to do it against the hated Pedro Martinez would make it even sweeter. As I said, the Game 6 crowd was into this game. Minka Kelly and the Jeter family even got into the chanting a little bit. And by the way, they are a very nice family. I was able to say hello to some of them. Mostly just passing hi, how are you's or a smile, but that's all that was needed. Just in case you were wondering, Minka Kelly loves gummy bears and sunflower seeds. Enough about them for a while though, lets go back to the game...
Hideki Matsui got this magical night started with a 2-run home run off Martinez. That was just the start of Matsui's historic night. In each at bat after that first one, Matsui was serenaded with chants of "MVP." An honor that he truly would eventually earn.
Another of the louder cheers was for Andy Pettitte. The veteran lefty did not have his best stuff this night, but he pitched well enough to keep the Phillies down and help the Yankees to their 27th World Series Championship. Pettitte would pitch 5 2/3 innings. When manager Joe Girardi went to the mound to relieve Pettitte, the Yankee Stadium crowd stood up and gave him a very loud ovation. Just before entering the dugout, Pettitte raised his cap to the crowd.
Former Yankees, Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill stopped in the Jeter family suite for a little while. They obviously have known the family for years. They said their 'hello's' and talked with the family for a few minutes before leaving. Tino would be back in the 9th inning to finish watching the game with them.
There are certain times when you get that chilling feeling. One of those times was during the seventh inning stretch. I can't remember the name of the person singing but she was so good, the entire stadium joined her. What a great sound.
The experience of this game as I have been describing it was enhanced by such an awesome crowd. Another example of this is in the top of the 8th inning when yet another pitching change was made. The bullpen doors swung open and 'Enter Sandman' started playing. The Yankees stadium crowd went nuts. Mariano Rivera was making his way to the mound to close out the World Series.
We were 5 outs away at this point. Chants of "Mariano" took over the stadium. You could feel this World Series Championship inching closer and closer. Rivera came back out for the 9th. The stadium crowd was ready to explode.
When the ground ball was hit to second base and Robinson Cano threw the ball to first baseman Mark Teixiera for the final out, the crowd and Yankees players finally celebrated. Everyone in the stadium was screaming, jumping and pumping their hands in the air.
Everyone in the suite I was in gave high fives or fist pumps. Then I got a high five from Tino Martinez who was still in the Jeter family suite at the time of the last out.
The Yankees are World Champions again! The team was jumping all around the infield, hugging, clapping, high fiving each other like little kids. Derek Jeter met Alex Rodriguez with a big hug. Then another hug between the two.
The Yankees walked around the field so fans in all areas could get a look at their World Series Champions. Joba Chamberlain who had been scrutinized so much this season was clearly excited. He was at home plate waving a World Series Champions flag.
Once the celebrating calmed down a bit, though not much, the onfield ceremonies took place. Many people spoke to the crowd, including Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, Joe Girardi, and Derek Jeter.
Hideki Matsui was named World Series MVP. This celebration seemed like it would last forever. Everyone that was in the suite with me shared a champagne toast. A champagne toast as "New York, New York" is played over and over again. Start spreading the news...the Yankees are World Series Champions!
The night had to end at some point. Eventually I had to catch the car that was booked to drive me home. I said my 'goodbyes' to the people that made this experience possible and then made my way out of the stadium.
Outside the stadium, mobs of happy Yankee fans were celebrating. The NYPD had streets blocked off, traffic was locked up everywhere you turned. Nobody seemed to mind however because their New York Yankees were finally champions once again.
I walked a few blocks and found the car that was waiting for me. A very friendly driver knew his way around the city and got us out in a decent time considering the circumstances.
Driving through the Bronx toward the G.W. Bridge, people were in the streets celebrating. It was after midnight but people were in the streets banging on metal pans and honking car horns, dancing and chanting. What a city! What a night!
I eventually got home. By the time I got home, settled down, showered and got in bed, it was about 3am. Yes, I had to wake up for work this morning but it was all totally worth it.
This night is still very surreal to me. I'm not sure its completely sunk in yet. I know one thing is for sure...I will never ever forget the 2009 World Series Champions! Thank you to everyone that made this magical night possible. You all know who you are. You each had a part in making the once in a lifetime dream come true!
GO YANKEES!!!!
2009 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!