A Personal World Series Dedication

Vito came to the United States from Italy in 1903, eager to grasp the brass ring and all the benefits that came with this great country. He was brave, he was curious, and most of all full of the hope that a new life and opportunity would bring. He was my grandfather.  “Pop” quickly fell in love with his new country. He learned English so he could read the newspaper and keep up with current events. He insisted that his family do the same. He became an American in every sense of the word, and, as if to complete the process, he discovered baseball and the New York Yankees.My earliest recollections of Pop were of sitting on the floor next to him, watching the Yankees on a black and white TV. These were the Yankees of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, “Whitey” Ford and Yogi Berra.  They were powerhouse teams, and we never missed an opportunity to watch them destroy the enemy. After a win, Pop would turn to me and say “They’re pretty good!”   Pop would explain the game to me; tell me what went right but, like most fans, more about what went wrong. As he did of his family, he insisted that the Yankees perform to their full potential at all times. He could never understand why they would lose a game. When they did, he would turn off the TV, look at me and say “They stink!”Last week’s World Series, more than any I can remember, brought those memories rushing back. I watched the games, posted and chatted on the internet, and enjoyed the comments and humor of my cyberspace friends. There was, however, another presence, a memory of long ago, of sitting next to Pop and learning about baseball. Oh yes, and thrashing the Yankees when they were not perfect. Pop did not see CC Sabathia or Phil Hughes pitch as the Yanks went down to defeat in Games 1.  Pop never saw A J Burnett lose in game 5. Yet at the end of each of those games I could swear I heard Pop say “They stink!”Well, for Yankee fans, the 2009 World Series worked out fairly well. Championship #27 is in the books and another parade down the Canyon of Heroes is a littered memory.  Yet for some reason, this one was particularly satisfying.  The great chemistry the team displayed, the new stadium, and my personal connection to the Scranton Yankees all contributed to that feeling. Most of all, though, it was special because of a voice from the past, telling me after Game 6 “They’re pretty good!” Yes they are, Pop, and this one’s for you!