Call it Floruary: Florida in February.
Temps well into the 70s. A need for sun screen. A hint of a breeze. Cold beer. Hot dogs in their quintessential element. Lots of dads and sons. Plenty of guy sports-talk. An absence of cell phoneys and blue teeth. Eclectically fun, up-tempo music – from “Hava Nagila” to “Runaround Sue.”
An afternoon baseball game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
It isn’t, of course, the “House That Ruth Built” but the 10,000-seat, mini-Yankee Stadium replica that the Tampa Sports Authority built. And it’s totally cool – down to dimensions (318’ to left, 408’ to center, 314’ to right) identical with the original Bronx version. For one who hadn’t been to the erstwhile “Legends Field” before, it was a treat.
And a nostalgic bender.
Ogling the outside plaques that commemorate Yankees who have had their numbers retired. Trying to identify players from a large photo of the 1956 team – and succeeding with Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Moose Skowron and Elston Howard.
And, without warning, an odd mix of baseball memories comes cascading back.
Encountering the mystique that was going to a big league game at Philadelphia’s Connie Mack Stadium. And recalling that for the longest time, I had no idea that “booing” wasn’t anything but proper baseball deportment…Meeting my father’s friends from the Army, Ken Heintzleman and Eddie Waitkus. They would later play on the 1950 Phillies’ “Whiz Kids” team that won the National League pennant, but lost to the Yankees in the World Series…Having Phillies’ shortstop Granny Hamner live two blocks away on Magee Street. Introducing Hall of Fame Phillie Richie Ashburn to my mother in Clearwater and having her say, upon introduction, “Oh, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” And then, upon reflection, hearing her say: “I don’t believe I said that!”…Remembering when my father and I umpired American Legion and college games as a tandem around Philly. He’d be on the bases; I’d take home plate.
What a rush. “Play ball.”
Minnesota Twins up first. A quick look around the Yankee infield.
Alex Rodriguez at third.
End of reverie.