I originally wrote this piece for Opening Day 2003. I’ve changed some of the original wording and the historical facts to reflect today’s opening day in New York Yankee universe…yes, it’s a universe.  

Today is the day that begins 6 months and 162 games of pure American delight; a pastime that has steamrolled through history as an army marches into battle. For us, fans of the Bronx Bombers, will cheer and smile for our boys in pinstripes, just like when the sun peaks through the clouds after a long and dark rainstorm.

As this new season begins in the House that Jeter Built, our team will run unto the home field with great enthusiasm and vigor. They will sprint to their positions as children run to a sandlot. We know how our Bombers have won World Series Championships, it’s called tradition – 116 years of New York Yankee tradition.

Along with this tradition, will be the twin advocates of awe and mystique. These twins have catapulted 27 Yankee teams into the books of baseball history. They appear in a moment’s notice, most often in the bottom half of the 9^th inning, and have also appeared together majestically in the month of October.

As our boys start this new season with the most retired numbers in all of baseball surrounding them, including the latest induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera, will be the legendary spirits of Yankee baseball – Ruth, Gehrig, Joe D, Yogi, Mantle, Maris, and Munson, sitting atop of the greatest pantheon and cathedral in all of baseball.

These Yankees legends and greats will strike open the clouds with the might of their bats and throw from their gloves the passion and love that helps us cheer on our team, THE team – The New York Yankees!

This post is dedicated to my Dad, Thomas M. Perna, who passed away on April 22, 2015. Thanks for showing me the love of baseball and the New York Yankees. 

Dad and I at Yankee Stadium – August 2008

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