Tarmac Soul: Day 11

The Bronx Bombers

We woke up today, actually jumped up today dying to see the Yankees game. First, we went to The Morristown Diner for a breakfast that was way too cheap and way too full of cholesterol for our own good.

It was then back on the train to Penn Station and a quick walk over to 34th Street. Now, as much as I hate to admit it the damn rabbit's foot is still haunting us from that other Caliber somewhere in Massachusetts.

The subway train that we caught broke down after only a couple of stops so we had to get off and wait for a new train. Then, when the next train finally arrived we learned that there were also problems with another one of the tracks and two other trains had to share the same track with us. This meant that we had to stop and wait at every station for the other two trains to unload their passengers. As a result we missed the first few pitches of the game and didn't see Clemens go through his usual pre-game ritual.

But it was fantastic game. The Yankees won 9-3 and the atmosphere was fantastic. I even ate a hot dog and drank two beers which cost me 8 dollars each. The weather was good and the stadium was packed - almost a sell out.

There was Clemens pitching his first game of the season:

There was Fred Schuman or Freddy as he is known in Yankee Stadium. Freddy has spent the last 19 years enlivening the crowds and doing his best to bring the Yanks a bit of good luck. He carries with him hand made signs, a frying pan and a spoon. He walks around the stadium and lets people bang the pan with the spoon for good luck and to help the Yanks find a way to win the game.

Freddy is 79 and used to own a trucking company. When he retired, he was bored and the Yankees were playing terribly. He decided to approach the team's public relations man with an idea to get the fans to wake up and cheer. He has been at every single home game in Yankee Stadium ever since. He even gets into the games for free now although is not officially recognised as a part of the team.