Proud to be a dad!
August 16, 2008
This past Tuesday on August 12th, I headed south to Boston with our destination being Fenway Park. This trip down I was accompanied by with my wife, step son Aidan, 13., and my son Zack,10. It was both the boys first trip ever to go watch the Sox play live instead of hanging out with dad in the den and watching the beantown boys play on TV.
The boys couldn't of had a better 1st game to attend. David Ortiz hit two 3 run homeruns in the 1st inning and tieing a Major League record with 6 RBI's. The boys were able to see alot of action with the Sox pulling of the "w" 19-17.
All the boys talked about was how they wanted to get an autograph for the whole week up to Tuesday I kept telling them that their chances of that happening were close to slim to none. I didn't want to see them disappointed or upset that they didn't get one. For the whole week I tried to make it seem as their chances and hopes wouldn't happen. Only reason being for the 8 trips prior I have maybe seen a dozen people lucky enough to actually get a signature.
So I pull onto Van Ness Street and the boys smiles were like none other. I parked the truck and we headed towards Yawkey Way. The boys just looked in amazement and it gave me a proud feeling that I have taken a step further to allowing my son become the 4th Generation in my Family of being a Sox fan. With that I am proud as can be. We then walked into the Red Sox Team Store and the boys were out of control. They ran over to the back wall and started checking out all the different Red Sox hats. I still today have my 1st ever Red Sox cap that my late Grandfather bought me back in 1981. Locally in Charlestown NH the hats for kids are pretty limited and the different choices are far to none. Long story short we bought Aidan and Zack their first Red Sox caps.
Back in the 90's I made all but 20 home games a season to just go down and watch the players come into the park and try to obtain autographs. That is what I did that was my passion. Something I was proud to do thanks for my Grandfather making me aware of it. So the next step was to bring the kids over and let them watch the Sox pull into the park. Before we headed over to the intersection of Yawkey Way and Van Ness St I pulled out 2 official MLB Rawlings balls that I wanted to surprise the boys with. They took the balls from me and we headed over.
They were high on anticipation and I figured we had about 30 minutes until anyone would show up so my wife Jamie and I took the oppurtunity to take some pictures for keep sakes. Here is a pic of my son Zack and I on looking down Yawkey way.
The first player to actually arrive for the Red Sox was Justin Masterson. The taxi pulled up to the curve and he got out. I then knew that the boys would atleast have 1 autograph to take home. Justin grabbed his suitcase and walked behind the barrier and started to sign autographs. He stood their for a good 30 mins signing anything and everything that people asked. I was fortunate enough to have my pic taken with him. For that I am thankful as well. The pic below is Masterson signing autographs.
We hung out and watched I would have to guess 90 percent of the players and coaches arrive and then headed to get some dinner before the game. The gates were to open at 5:05pm and we had an hour to waste. I wanted to make sure I gave the same experience as I had as a kid of being 1st in line and running into Fenway Park to get a spot right on the dugout to watch batting practice, hopes of getting a ball, or even an autograph.
After eating we headed back to Yawkey way and were 1st in one of the lines. I re-itterated to the kids of what was going to happen and to stay with me. They were all smiles and excited! The 25 mins must have been the slowest 25 minutes that I can remember. The kids kept asking how much longer about 40 times. Finally the Fenway Security Guards pulled the Large gate back and said about 2 mins till it was time. One more time I told the boys what I was going to do and follow. Told them to get their baseballs out and a pen ready.
It was time. The boys were checked 1st and I was right behind them. We one by one got our tickets scanned and then the race was on down under Fenway Park. We ran down the long declining ramp and as I told the boys a few times we wanted to go straight and take the 3rd left out into the Stadium. I was amazed those little bastards were more excited than I thought and blew by me and did exactly what I told them to leaving me in their dust. I walk up the ramp in to the park and I look down to the Sox dugout and their were the boys the only 2 people at the dugout! I was prouder than a pig in Sh#t! I met them down there and immediately Sean Casey came walking over. I yelled out to Sean asking if he could sign a few balls for the kids and he looked up and said sure and reached his hand out for one of the boys to toss him a ball and a pen. I was so friggin excited for the boys. I can remember back to when I was a kid or for that matter back in the 90's how excited I got as an adult to get an autograph. After Sean finished signing I asked if he could pose for a pic for me and below is that pic.
After Casey when into the dugout about 5 minutes later all the players came off the field and we headed to find our seats in the right field grandstands. Below is a pic of Zack and I.
But before I post the pic. I will close out this long drawn out and boring to most of you I am sure. I felt I needed to share it. For those dads out there that have been part of or are still experiencing it. All I can say is that there is no better feeling in the world. Not only to see the kids proud and excited for what they have accomplished but its another step and memory that myself and my wife was able to give them that they can pass onto their childeren and grand childeren as I do with what I experienced from my dad and grandfather.
-www.nhredsoxnation.com
| 
