Emma, I was at Bernie’s last game, too, when he was managing and put himself in for his last hit. That’s my historic OYS memory. Did you get the pin they gave out that day? Over Four Million, Thanks to the Greatest Fans in the World. I love that little pin. I like to think of it as a present given personally by George. Like he told Costanza to get them made.

If the Yanks win tonight I’ll make some Victory Chile tomorrow afternoon. At some point in some long ago playoff I made it, and the Yanks won, and even though reality intrudes and they don’t always win when I make it, I still make it come the playoffs, once a series if I can.

I love the Banter for intelligent, fun Yankees comments and insights and stories, and for all the other stuff about the city and music and movies and writers that Alex posts. Years ago, back when the internets were young, I was a member of a community like this (it involved a TV show featuring a certain girl we knew who was a… vampire slayer?). So I know that being a member of an online community like this requires commitment and I just can’t provide that anymore- just sayin’ that because this is a only a drive-by, so don’t think any less of the post because I disappear.

Freddie Sez, Bob Shepherd, George… but oddly enough this summer it was Houk’s death that actually made me think about doing the “thank you, Banter” post.

I’m from Michigan, and my first major league game was I think in ‘72 at Tiger Stadium, Tigers vs. Yanks. I’m up at the top of the centerfield bleachers, where you could turn abound and look down at Canada. Billy Martin was managing- the Tigers. And the Major was managing the Yanks. Munson and Freehan were behind the plate, and I’m looking down at Bobby Murcer’s back all night long.

Tigers won that game, they hit three home runs in the first, not in a row, though- but one of the homers was Al Kaline’s. It was a hell of a game to be your first.

Moved to the city in ’89. It became my home, and the Yanks became my team. So thanks again to Alex and the Banter, and as far as tonight goes: was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Let’s go Yankees.

But then you said this:
The entire series makes me wish the Yankees would ditch their uptight facial hair regulations already, though. Everything is more fun with beards!

No, no, no! One of the main reasons the Yankees have the most handsome team in baseball is the no beards policy! Every time Cantú steps up to bat I give thanks that the Yankees aren’t allowed to perpetrate that type of disaster upon their faces.

The other reason is, of course, that they wear the pinstripes.