What a gorgeous day for baseball; and what a day it was. It was Kids' Appreciation Day, so little D got a poster upon arrival. It seems no tot is too young to be appreciated.
The sun was out in all its October glory, a little chilly, but easily combated with some clever layering, hoodies and scarves.
Safeco never looked so good:
Ken Griffey, Jr. was at bat 3 times today, but it wasn't until the 8th inning that he stepped up for that final swing of the bat. See, Junior might not return next season. The crowd knew it, the team knew it and an emotional Junior knew it.
When he stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning, every person in that crowd was on their feet. You could feel the collective silent wishes, "please let him get a hit" as he took his stance in the batter's box. And, boy did he deliver! The standing ovation went loud and wild and we cheered for several minutes as a pinch runner swapped places with Jr. at 1st base. The crowd began chanting, "Griffey! Griffey! Griffey!" And, no surprise, he came out to tip his hat. We roared our emotional awe. My father would have LOVED to see that moment. And knowing that made me tear up right along with Griffey.
Here's Griffey's 'potential' last at bat with the Seattle Mariners:
The tip o' the cap. It's moments like this that make me love baseball!
After the game, the M's took a walk around the field, shaking hands and high-fiving the fans. Near the end of their farewell loop, they hoisted Griffey onto their shoulders and we nearly missed that for trying to leave the ballpark and get our tired son home. Luckily, the adoring crowd got good and loud, alerting us to the happenings on the field.
I am so grateful we didn't leave early to miss traffic. To miss this moment would have made for one sad Naomi. Hooray for sticking it out to the final out!
And, here's our little family, enjoying the game. Love, love, love the perks of my job.
What a look!
This is the new scrunched up face D makes constantly now. Sometimes when he's eating, sometimes just because... you can find this expression in our lives now. So cute. :)
1 comment:
Ken and I were talking on the phone while Griffey had his last at bat. Ken goes: Oh! He got a hit!!!!!!" So now with your photos, I can really sense what a terrific moment that was! The photos are great, love the ones of Durkin scrunching his face, too! Thanks for a good narrative of the fun day at the park with your family, Nomi!
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