Affirmation

Yes, it’s not even September, but given that both the Yankees and Cardinals have dramatically underperformed., the 2023 Season Recap is here early. And while our teams have stunk, the season most certainly has not.

We had our Stadium Trip

In May, Jack and I hit the road for our annual pilgrimage. This time is was to Cincinnati to Minneapolis to Cleveland to home. We did multiple 8+ hours drives and 5+ hour stadium visits. But we’ve learned that the real magic and memories come from the pockets of wonder we find outside the baseball itself. The dinners, the side trips, the friends. It’s like Jack and I are somehow able to bend and expand time to make room for moments of unexpected joy. This trip did not disappoint.

And of course, there are the stadiums themselves.

Moment of bliss:

My brother just happened to be in Minneapolis the same night we were. After dinner and two beers, my brother and I demanded that Jack drive us to the grocery store to buy a six-pack. And we demanded he play Prince. Loud. When we got out of the car, my brother started grinding on me in the parking lot as he sang Kiss in a shockingly loud falsetto. Then back in the hotel lobby, the three of us talked about music and life and God knows what else, late into the night.

We had our Bonus Stadium

This seems to happen every year. The baseball gods favor us with a stadium that wasn’t in our plans. It just falls into our lap. Last year I had to travel to Boston, the Red Sox happened to be at home vs the Yankees, and soon we were on our way to Fenway Park. This year, Alex and I were planning a backpacking trip in Yosemite. We put in our lottery to be able to climb Half Dome and got a date earlier than expected.

“Hey Jack, you want to join us for the packing trip?”

“Not really.”

“The Oakland A’s are home the day we’re in San Fra…”

“I’m in.”

Again, a magic trip outside the baseball and backpacking.

The Stadium…well, it did not disappoint in its ability to disappoint. (Oakland is considered by many to be the worst stadium in the league.)

And of course, the main event. Holy Yosemite.

Moment of bliss:

The day we spent in San Francisco, the boys were still asleep when I went out to meet my college roommate, Reef. I left the boys a credit card and texted them: go grab breakfast when you’re up.

The boys are friends now and incredible travel companions to each other. What a feeling it was picturing them wandering the streets of gorgeous San Francisco on their own, finding a place to eat. What a feeling to trust them to be able to handle themselves just fine. What a feeling to imagine their mood being together poking around an unfamiliar city.

I think of my own brother and when we shifted from rival children to almost perfectly synchronized teammates and close friends. I think of what we’ve been in each other’s lives.

I think of my sons and that beautiful morning in San Francisco.

We hit Yankees games

Jack and I always get to New York for a bunch of Yankees games, but this season was different. Jack lived in the Bronx this summer in an apartment. He found a job. He took the subway. He was on his own, his daily whereabouts unknown to me and Shani, which was disorienting and wonderful to me.

We didn’t drive in together for games; he’d meet me at the stadium. We’d watch the game, catching up easily, and then afterwards embrace on the subway platform. I’d head south. He’d head north.

Here are some unremarkable photos, that are remarkable to me.

Moment of bliss:

Not a game at all. One Saturday in July, Jack sent a series of voice messages to me and Alex about new songs he was listening to. He’d gotten off work, and instead of taking the train, he walked from 55th Street all the way to 125th. For those of you who’ve lived in NYC, you know the vibrance and mystic power a long walk brings. You know that state. You know that feeling. You know that sense of self. That’s where my son was as he left me rambling messages about Fleetwood Mac and Beyonce songs.

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So 2023. Jack and I have now visited 23 out of the 30 MLB stadiums. Alex and I have visited 22 National Parks together (way more than I would have guessed).

Life.

Is.

Pretty.

F’ing.

Wonderful.