Perfect Day...

Ten years ago today, David Cone pitched his perfect game at Yankee Stadium against the Montreal Expos. Cone might have pitched a perfect game, but I seem to remember having a perfect day.

I started watching the game when I got home from work. Yogi Berra and George Steinbrenner had recently reconciled their differences and Yogi was being honored at The Stadium. I remember watching the ceremony and thought it was great that even though Yogi was being honored, he caught the ceremonial first pitch rather than throw it. Don Larsen did the honors.

I didn't get to watch the entire game as I had plans that night (more on that later). So, in about the 5th inning, I jumped in my car and sped up the Garden State Parkway. I was meeting my father and some other people for dinner. I pulled in to the restaurant about 20 minutes late and waited in the car for Cone to get through the top of the 8th. When he did, I raced in to the restaurant and looked for the TV. They didn't have one. I went over to the table and explained that I couldn't stay. I looked at my father and said "Coney's perfect through 8...I gotta go." Needless to say, he understood.

I don't remember what restaurant it was, or even what city, but nowhere in the immediate area could I find a place with a TV, so I sat in my car and listened as Cone completed his perfecto. What was more amazing than anything else was that he didn't walk anyone. Cone was not a control pitcher and was known for nibbling around the plate. It was amazing. It was also the Yankees third no-hitter in the last four years (Doc Gooden in 96 and David Wells in 98). Coincidentally, each of those years, they had also won The World Series.

When the game was over, I went back in to the restaurant, and told everyone the story of the game. After dinner, we were all going to see Bruce and the E Street Band at the Meadowlands Arena (then called Continental). It was the 2nd of 15 shows at the arena that summer. At the time, my father had a connection with someone that could get us some "working crew" passes so we could wander around backstage before the show. I didn't know why we were having dinner if we had these passes, but I was going with the flow.

When we got to the arena, we got the passes and made our way to the area right behind the stage. Nothing was going on, so we were just hanging out. About five minutes before the show, Paul O'Neill walked by. I gave him a big high five and asked him how come Coney wasn't with him. He said he was supposed to come, but with all of the excitement, he decided to bail. Still, it was amazing to see Paul on such a special day.

A few minutes later, Bruce and the band appeared. We were off to the side, not close enough to be in the way, but close enough to see. As each band member made his/her way up the stairs, Bruce shook everyone's hand, patted them on the back, and basically offered encouragement for a great show. As he made his way up the stairs, my father and I make our way towards our seats, which were pretty close to the stage.

I would see 12 of the 15 shows on that stand, but this show will always standout as it was my first time seeing Jungleland live. I gave me chills...literally. To have shared it with my father made it all the more special.

Tomorrow...my father and I are going to Old Timer's Day at The New Yankee Stadium. It certainly has the potential to be another perfect day.

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive"

JN

Happy 4th of July Weekend

A Happy 4th of July Weekend to everyone. Some random thoughts at the end of a great weekend.

- Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous speech. The speech was delivered by a dying man, yet he considered himself "The luckiest man on the face of the earth." The speech focused on his family, his teammates, the Yankee management, and even the New York (baseball) Giants, but he didn't focus on himself. He was a man that played with power, grace, and humility and was a true role model, even at the end. All of Major League Baseball honored him on Saturday, rightfully so. However, couldn't they have gotten someone better than Dave Otto in Chicago???

- In 1998, Southside Johnny played The Tradewinds on 4th of July weekend. I remember right before the show, coming out of the men's room and standing there was Little Steven. He was looking for the men's room, so I pointed him in the right direction. I was too nervous to say anything. That night, Little Steven played two songs with The Jukes, including Hearts of Stone (Bobby had to remind him the chords), and Jon Bon Jovi sat in for the entire show playing rhythm guitar and singing back up. It was also Jeff Kazee's first show with The Jukes. It's been all down hill since, right Jeff?

- July 1, 2004 was the night that Derek Jeter jumped in to the stands after catching a pop up to end the 12th inning. The Yankees came back to win that game in the 13th with key hits from Miguel Cairo and John Flaherty. The Yankees swept that series and it was still a time when, as Yankee fans, we thought it was our birthright to beat The Sox. All of that would change about 14 weeks later and baseball hasn't been the same since.

- July 1, 2000 was the night Bruce ended the 1999-2000 tour with the 10th show at The Garden. I think this show deserves a blog entry of its own, but it will have to wait until the 10th anniversary, next year.

- July 3, 2009, Christine and I took Avery and our nephew Anthony to The New Yankee Stadium for the first time. It was Anthony's first trip to The Bronx for a game, but Avery went to one game at The Stadium. I hope it was the first of many trips for both. A great day, and the Yankees even delivered a win.

- July 6, 2009...tomorrow Jared and I make our first trip together to New Stadium. He hasn't been yet, and I am really looking forward to showing him the new ballpark. Nothing will ever replace The Stadium, but they did build a heck of a building.

That's all for now...

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive..."

JN