Blue Jay Memory

It was yesterday wasn't it? 

My son Michael and I were there when Joe Carter hit the home run of all home runs. The swing that won the world series for the Jays, back to back. I can still hear the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd as the ball that Joe hit curved itself over the fence in left field. It was magical for me and for my son Michael who was 10  at the time. We still to this day talk about that night when Joe touched all of the bases.

But there is a story behind the story. I wasn't a season ticket holder, and certainly didn't have the means at the time to buy scalper tickets for a World Series game. Watching it on TV was the best my sons and I expected to do. It was an exciting time, The Jays were fantastic, what a team to watch and cheer for. We flew a blue jays flag outside our home. The entire city and nation was talking about the team, cheering them on. Much like today.

We never thought we would have the chance to experience a playoff game or for that matter a World Series game. Until I got the call.

My friend Don Bannister knew how excited both Michael and I were about the Jays. "Corky" he said, (he always calls me Corky) "how would you and your son Michael like to go to Game Six?" Are you kidding me? Wow, we were in. And because of my friend Don Bannister we experienced it all. Don made it possible for a father to go with his son to a game of a lifetime.

Play it forward to today. My sons are young men now. Don has a family of his own, in fact he has a 9 year old boy Charlie who loves baseball. I called Don today and asked him if he and his son Charlie would like to experience a playoff game - to sit in the stands and watch the best team in baseball play on their way to win the World Series. His son Charlie is a big fan and would be thrilled, Don answered. So they are going with the help of another friend of mine Vic Tosello who was able to get me tickets. Isn't life great!

I am sure one day Charlie will be sitting around with his Dad talking about their experience just as my son Michael and I do to this day, 22 years later. All because a friend made it all happen.

Thanks Don, and enjoy the game with your son.