My childhood revisited.

Last evening I was surfing through the channels and landed on one of the ESPN channels. they were broadcasting the pre-game ceremonies from Yankee Stadium. Last nights game was the Yankee regular season finale and also the final game to be played in Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium made it's debut in 1923 and has been home to a number of pennants and World Series Championships. Probably the most frequent accolade refers to it as "The house that Ruth built".

The pre-game was awesome. They had brought back many of the players I had watched as a child. Whitey and Yogi, to mention just a couple. Others were represented by family members. Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, Phil Rizzuto, Catfish Hunter, Thurman Munson, the list was long and distinguished. Many of the former Yankees ran or walked to their positions, some were seen raking dirt from the field into plastic bags. There was a long line, representative of late greats who once wore the pinstripes.

The first pitch was thrown by Julia Ruth Stevens (the daughter of Babe Ruth) who was escorted by her son.

I couldn't help but think back to many a Saturday afternoon laying in the floor in front of the television watching the Yankees, me being the guest of Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese. I couldn't wait to see Mickey belt one over the fence.

Over the years I have wondered why I liked Mickey better than Roger. To this day I can't tell you. Of course back then players off field antics weren't instant news. I don't know if it was because the reporters held the "heroes" of yester-year in higher esteem or if the veil of privacy was more sacred.

I think I'd trade my color television if I could spend one more afternoon in front of that old black and white set.

Oh, to be young again!

Have a great day and wonderful week!

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings we enjoy. Thank YOU for YOUR love, and thank YOU for the hope and promise we have in JESUS. Bless all the role models and help them to be worthy of their following.