It’s 1952. I’m 13 years old. It’s New York City (not Manhattan but Flushing in the borough of Queens). We had trees and even woods. I was in 7th or 8th grade at Public School(PS) 32. All hail to thee dear 32 ( hard to get school spirit for a number). Next year I would start at Bayside High School.
Mom was a widow who raised me and my older brother by herself since my dad died in 1943.
My friends all lived within walking distance from our upstairs rental apartment in a two story town home. My living space was a hide-a-bed sofa in living room and one drawer and part of a closet in my mom’s bedroom.
I rode the city bus to school and back. ( no yellow school bus). I had a bus pass for each month that cost $10 a month. ( better not lose it).
It’s Sunday morning in May
Big day planned. My friend, Ken, and I were going to a double header at Yankee Stadium. At about 10am, the two of us left our apartment and headed to Yankee Stadium. Quite a journey for two 13 year olds. Yes, our parents condoned it. A different world and city from today.
We walked a few blocks to the bus stop. Took the bus for 15 cents to Flushing Main Street where we caught the Subway/elevated train to 42nd St in Manhattan. ( another 15 cents).
From there we stayed on the subway and took the Woodlawn Express to Yankee Stadium at 161st Street in the Bronx ( another NYC borough).
We got to Yankee Stadium, bought our tickets ( grandstand seats for $1.30). And made our way into the stadium and to our seats.
That brings us to about noon. We watched 2 hours of batting practice.
That brings us to game time. Yankees vs Boston Red Sox ( arch rivals)
Not just one game but two.
Watched two great games. I know the yankees won at least one of them or I wouldn’t remember it. Now it’s about 6 pm. During the games I was continuously insulting the Red Sox center fielder, Jimmy Piersall. He had suffered some difficult mental illness and had fought bravely back from it BUT he was the enemy. He was on the Red Sox. My hero was Mickey Mantle, the New center fielder for the yankees replacing the great Joe DiMaggio.
After the games Ken and I went out by the Yankee Dressing room waiting to possibly get an autograph or two.
Hank Bauer, the great right fielder for the Yanks came out and at first, ignored us. I literally chased him into a bar. He said, “Boy, you’re persistent.” And reluctantly signed my score card.
My friend and I decided to go home and got on the elevated train to 42nd St.
Lo and behold!! On the seat across from us was Jimmy Piersall, on his way to the Ed Sullivan TV show to push his new autobiographical book “ Fear Strikes Out”. It later became a hit movie starring Anthony Perkins ( please fact check me). How do I know this? It’s easy. Because I’m a groveling liar. I approached Jimmy and told him what a fan I was and asked why he was on the train. He told me before signing my scorecard. Yes, i totally lost those Autographs. So you gotta believe me ( or not).
We got home by 9 pm with no yelling from our parents. Yay for growing up in the world’s craziest but greatest city.
The End
