Author Archives: dean tettonis

Monolugue

Getting and using a new baseball mitt, is like the start of a new journey with a friend. Catches with my father in the springtime would become something that I would look forward to and always want to spend hours doing. It would be something that helped my father introduce me to something that we both love. Although I looked at the glove in a special way already, it would become part of an experience that I never could have expected when I was just eight years old. When I purchased my glove with my dad, nothing entered my mind other than the fact that I was really excited that the weather was nice and I could have catches with my dad.

I kept staring at the glove in the car as my father exclaimed “ Hey dean how would you like to take that glove to Yankee Stadium and watch the Yankees play.” I got pretty excited. That day we took the highway, I remember my dad saying we were going over the FDR drive, then into the Bronx and into the Yankee Stadium parking lot. On the opening gates it said welcome to Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees for Old Timer’s Day. The events started off with festivities of Yankee greats. There was a simple game with all the old players. I got to see old players like Reggie Jackson get a hit as my dad would tell things about watching these legends of the game when he as younger. The experience was one where we could bond and both my dad and I were having a great time talking. We looked onto the field as I marveled at how big it was, just like a grand stage. Everything seemed so perfect. The game itself did not disappoint as the Yankees won a close game where the team leader, Derek Jeter got the game-winning hit. I still think back to that day when I am sitting with my dad or we are watching another game. It has almost become a ritual or tradition that we go to the ballpark at least once a year. I hope that never changes and I’m glad it hasn’t since that game.

Dean Tettonis