Guess Who’s Coming to Fenway?
I could care less about the Bonds saga. I am a huge baseball fan. I know that according to other fans I should dislike Bonds because of his steroids link, but I just don’t. I personally feel we can’t indemnify a man who did what MANY others did, especially when we don’t have any kind of comprehensive list of offenders. I do not accept or endorse steroids use, but it was (and I believe it still is) very common, and just because we know for sure that a few guys used, I don’t believe they committed a worse sin than many other players who are still playing today or retired in honor.
So, guess who else is coming to town tonight? Dave Roberts, my base-stealing hero. I own a well-worn copy of Faith Rewarded, and I always get misty (hey, it’s ok…I’m a girl, remember?) when Dave Roberts and his dramatic steal appear on my screen. There is just something magical about that moment for me.
I have a few of those. In 2004, I bought my now-fiancé tickets to a Sox/Yankees game for his birthday. I spent a pretty penny on those seats. I just had to have them—I knew it would elevate me to “coolest girlfriend ever” status. Well, it did. July 24, 2004 was the game where Varitek punched A-Rod and Billy Mueller hit a walk-off homer to end the game. It was sweet manna from heaven….definitely one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed first hand. I still believe those tickets were part of the reason we’re getting married next month (along with my cooking skills). Now, when I think of A-Rod getting his butt kicked, I get a little weepy. I even bought a framed 8×10 of the famous A-Rod butt-kicking for my guy this year; it made an excellent addition to the Red Sox room.
Another was when Gabe Kapler ruptured his Achilles tendon…and his first game back. I loved Gabe Kapler as Red Sox—he worked so hard, and was a real team player. My kind of guy. And, uh, he wasn’t bad to look at. It hurt to watch that injury—the second it went down you knew he was in terrible pain.
So, tonight, I’ll be home. I’ll be getting all misty watching Dave Roberts return to Fenway and tip his cap to the standing ovation he deserves so much. I plan more water works for the impending return of Lester. Some girls like sappy chick flicks, I’ve got my Sox.
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