A Dream Come True

It’s been awhile since I have blogged and I know somebody might like to see pictures from this little event, so… here ya go, a little something I did last month:

“Hello Win Column!” is what was heard, as I listened to Eric Nadel proclaim the Ranger’s domination of the New York Yankees to win the 2010 American League Championship. To some, this phrase meant little more than the fact that the Rangers had just claimed their spot in history, being it their first ALCS Championship victory, beating out the Yanks; but to me, this phrase took me back to a time when the, now owner, #34 - Nolan Ryan, would be pitching to his catcher, #7 - Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, in hopes of notching another win into his belt; and I, a long-lanky, 6 foot , 120 pound boy, would play outside with my Ranger’s gear on, pretending I was in that old stadium as the star of the show. When that final strikeout was claimed, or that last hit was made, claiming victory for the “boys in Ranger Blue,” I would listen on that crackly AM frequency for the late, great Mark Holtz to proclaim in a deep voice, “Hello Win Column!” It was such a great tribute by Eric to his long-time partner who never lived to see this great day in Ranger history.

As I listened, I was left speechless and thinking, “Am I dreaming? Has this really happened? Did my team finally do it?” In fact, the Rangers had. They clinched this victory and were off to challenge the San Francisco Giants for the title as the 2010 World Champions of Major League Baseball.

It was a rainy, cold, October Saturday. One that I wasn’t supposed to be working; but due to my dad having a bout with kidney stones, found myself doing what we do so much of in the funeral business – working my day off. I had just left work after becoming drenched by a downpour in the local cemetery, when I noticed I had missed a call on my phone. I checked my voicemail and heard something I never in a million years would have dreamed of hearing. It was my Aunt Linda, commonly referred to as #1, calling and leaving a message saying, “Lynn, I was wondering if you would be off of work and would want to go to Game 3 of the World Series next Saturday. Call me back. Bye.” I nearly dropped my phone!

For those that know me, saying I’m a baseball fan is a bit of an understatement. I collect everything I can that has to do with baseball, especially team hats and replica stadiums. It’s always been one of the small joys in my life that with just the look at a baseball glove or bat, takes me back to growing up at home, keeping track of stats, staying up late on school nights listening to games, and spending hard-earned parents’ money on baseball cards, just to turn around and get caught in a bad trade deal with my cousin, who was also a card collector. Thanks to him, I learned the hard way that a Mike Schmidt 1978 Topps is worth more than a Juan Gonzalez 1990 Donruss “Rated Rookie.”

I frantically called my aunt back and told her I would do everything I could to get to go to this game. It would honestly be a dream come true. Long story short, I ended up with an outrageously high-priced ticket, by myself, in the upperdeck of Ranger’s Ballpark in Arlington; though, I didn’t care at all that I was alone. I made new friends, high-fived people I didn’t know, and watched intently as the Ranger’s managed their way to a 4 to 2 victory over the Giants, claiming the only win they would experience in the World Series. In fact, I was so enamored by all the happenings, that I didn’t leave my seat. I never drank a Coke, never ate a peanut, nachos, or anything else for that matter; though I did discover a very great man and his wife who sat next to Nolan Ryan at the game. I’ll let you figure out who that was though. It was such an amazingly wonderful experience that I was so blessed by my aunt, to have been able to attend. Had it not been for her, I would have seen it on a screen, miles away, like most everyone else did. Thank you #1 for this great experience I’ll never forget.

Pulling Up at the Ballpark

The Homerun Porch in Right Field

Warm-up

Land of the Free, Home of the BraveNolan Throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch

VIP'S!!!!!

- approved by a jealous Farley Wells, CMDI.