Joyriding Through October With the New York Yankees
November 7, 2009 · Mike Salvatore · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
On Sept. 27, 2009, I was fortunate enough to be in attendance when the New York Yankees wrapped up the American League East Division Title.
Perhaps what I will remember most about that day was a conversation I had with my dad on the way to the game.
We had gotten on the subject of the Yankees’ playoff chances, and how this could be a big year for them. I then told my dad I would want to go to a World Series game at some point, because I wanted to experience the excitement firsthand.
He then non-chalantly told me that he has been to a World Series before. In fact, he was at Game Six of the 1977 World Series when Reggie Jackson launched those three home runs into the October night.
He then smiled and said he got to witness history for only $30.
After hearing his story and how much excitement and passion he told it with, I made a promise to myself that I would make the most of this upcoming postseason and make it to a World Series game myself.
Little did I know that promise would lead to an odyssey throughout the month of October.
It’s never smart to assume the best team will make the World Series, and being a Yankees fan I had grown accustomed to recent disappointment over the last several seasons.
Knowing I wanted to take in the excitement of October baseball, I was fortunate enough to be offered tickets to Game Two of the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins.
Now I had planned on getting tickets to Game One of the ALCS, but of course I jumped at the offer.
The atmosphere in the Bronx was electric. The stadium was loud and the Bleacher Creatures were out in full force.
I watched the Yankees come back to win Game Two after a game-tying home run by Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth and a walk-off home run by Mark Texiera in extra innings. I knew this Yankee team was going to be special, and I wanted to go along for the ride.
You better believe I was more then ready to go back to the Bronx for Game One of the ALCS.
Save for that big error by the Angels in the first inning of Game One, I saw a well-pitched and well-played baseball game and a solid Yankee victory.
After Game One, I assumed that my trips to the Bronx would be put on hold until the team made it to the World Series. I was mistaken.
I received a call from a friend of mine the day of Game Six. He asked me if I wanted to go and I readily accepted his invitation. For the first two games I went to, there was a buzz in the stadium, and of course there was an air of excitement.
When the Yankees recorded the last out of the ALCS, the stadium went absolutely crazy. Everyone was high-fiving and hugging complete strangers, “New York, New York” was sung repeatedly and never once got old, and I was there to soak it all in.
Come hell or high water, I was going to make it to a World Series game.
Then I looked up ticket prices…
Tickets for Games One and Two were going for around $450 each, and as devoted as I am, that would have been a hard pill to swallow. My friend told me he found tickets for $200 in the bleachers for Game Six; since we thought the Series was going to at least six games, we took the risk.
To put it mildly, Game Six was unbelievable. We got rowdy with the Bleacher Creatures, took part in the Yankee Roll Call, and proudly did the “Swisher Salute”.
Anyone who thinks baseball is slow, dull, and boring has never been to a playoff game. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game, and by the time the ninth inning rolled around I was full of nervous excitement. The stadium was literally shaking, and I had the chills the entire time.
After the Shane Victorino grounded out to Robinson Cano, it was bedlam in the Bronx. I was so excited I was shaking (I had trouble keeping the camera steady). Celebrating your favorite team win its championship with 50,000 of your best friends is THE most amazing thing I will ever take part in.
We were high-fiving cops, ushers, attendants, and even MTA workers. Everyone was on cloud nine.
If you ever get a chance to go see your favorite team play in the postseason, you should immediately jump at the chance to go. Amazingly, for going to four postseason games, I didn’t spend an arm and a leg (which is good because I still have some college loans to pay). My one piece of advice would be to utilize StubHub and Craigslist, and check both often.
Transportation: $100
Playoff Tickets: $550
ALCS & World Series Programs: $10 each
Being in attendance when your favorite team clinches a championship: Priceless
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