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Some of you might remember this moment from September 2019, when I took my dad to a game, and he inadvertently did his best Dave Dombrowski moment during batting practice.
But there’s a special reason we were at this specific game together.
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Some of you might remember this moment from September 2019, when I took my dad to a game, and he inadvertently did his best Dave Dombrowski moment during batting practice.
But there’s a special reason we were at this specific game together.
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I grew up so close to Fenway that I could hear the concerts from my bedroom window.
My dad grew up in Boston, too, and so did his father. My grandfather and his brother, who is now 102 years old, used to go watch Babe Ruth play with the Boston Braves at the end of his career.
My dad grew up in Boston, too, and so did his father. My grandfather and his brother, who is now 102 years old, used to go watch Babe Ruth play with the Boston Braves at the end of his career.
My grandfather liked to take my dad to Red Sox games. And he was much cooler than my dad, because one day, grandpa actually let him skip school to go to a World Series game.
It was October 5, 1967.
It was October 5, 1967.
October 5, 1967 was Game 2 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It was also the only multi-homer postseason game of Carl Yastrzemski’s career.
My dad and grandfather were there to see it.
It was also the only multi-homer postseason game of Carl Yastrzemski’s career.
My dad and grandfather were there to see it.
I never got to meet my grandfather. He passed away suddenly, a few years later. My dad was 15.
He grew up, my parents had me, and my dad began telling me baseball stories at bedtime and taking me to Red Sox games. I became the 3rd generation of baseball fans in the Starr family.
He grew up, my parents had me, and my dad began telling me baseball stories at bedtime and taking me to Red Sox games. I became the 3rd generation of baseball fans in the Starr family.
Last year, the Orioles traded Mike Yastrzemski to San Francisco, and he finally made his MLB debut.
I realized that meant he’d be coming to play at Fenway, since the Red Sox and Giants were scheduled to face each other in September.
I realized that meant he’d be coming to play at Fenway, since the Red Sox and Giants were scheduled to face each other in September.
I told my dad that I was taking him and my sister to the game.
As we got closer to the day, we found out that Carl Yastrzemski was going to be there and that he was going to throw out the first pitch. To his grandson.
As we got closer to the day, we found out that Carl Yastrzemski was going to be there and that he was going to throw out the first pitch. To his grandson.
Fenway felt extra-special that day. Even before the game started, there was a buzz in the air. If you’ve been to Fenway before, you know what I mean. It’s that buzz of magic, of history, and anticipation. It’s the pulling of that thread that connects baseball’s past and present.
They had a special pre-game ceremony and introduction for Yaz, of course. But it wasn’t showy or ostentatious, because he isn’t the type. It was simple and special.
And then, in the 4th inning, in the ballpark in which his grandfather played his entire storied career, Mike Yastrzemski hit a home run.
And his grandfather was there to see it.
And his grandfather was there to see it.
I’m not a spiritual person. I’m the daughter of a rabbi, but I rarely feel moments of connection to God or a higher power.
But on this night, I did. I felt magic in the air. I felt my grandfather smiling down on us. It was pure joy.
But on this night, I did. I felt magic in the air. I felt my grandfather smiling down on us. It was pure joy.
All around us, other families were reveling in this Yaz family moment, too. They were there for the same reason we were: because their elders grew up with Carl, and they had come to Fenway to feel that way again, the way they felt as kids. And Mike made that happen.
I soaked it all in all night. My dad doesn’t get publicly emotional, but I could tell he was feeling it, too.
The Red Sox lost that game. 7-6. Mike Yastrzemski’s homer made the difference. We didn’t even care.
The Red Sox lost that game. 7-6. Mike Yastrzemski’s homer made the difference. We didn’t even care.
At the end of the night, I came across some that Carl Yastrzemski had said before the game about Mike’s first Fenway game.
“I think the only way that I can compare it to anything would be if I compared it to the '67 season. That’s what it means to me and being here.”
“I think the only way that I can compare it to anything would be if I compared it to the '67 season. That’s what it means to me and being here.”
I had chills as I read that quote.
I had brought my dad to the game because of his special 1967 memory with his father. And here was Yaz himself, comparing this moment to 1967.
It was the kind of perfect connection that only happens in baseball.
I had brought my dad to the game because of his special 1967 memory with his father. And here was Yaz himself, comparing this moment to 1967.
It was the kind of perfect connection that only happens in baseball.
Anyway, today is my dad’s birthday.
He taught me to love this game, and to appreciate its history. And even when baseball’s present is a mess, I’m so grateful for games like that game last September, and for players like both Yaz, who give families memories to cherish together.
He taught me to love this game, and to appreciate its history. And even when baseball’s present is a mess, I’m so grateful for games like that game last September, and for players like both Yaz, who give families memories to cherish together.
