A couple of times a month when school was out for summer vacation, mom would call out for me to come home from the small vacant lot turned playground across the street from our apartment in the middle of Cleveland Place. Too early for lunch, I ran for home smiling. I knew why she called.
Mom loved baseball. I don't think she ever missed a game broadcasted on our small black and white television or listening on radio. "Wash up and change your cloth". We were going to Fenway to see the Red Sox. It was always just mom and me, our own very special thing to do.
With a bag carrying lunch, peanuts, sweaters, and something mom baked. We walked to the Haymarket Square subway station on the then MTA system. We were on our way to Kenmore station a short walk to the stadium.
Although we always had clean cloths and were neatly dressed, we certainly didn't look like we had a driver deliver us from Wellesley or Newton. There was a bank of ticket booths. A couple of attendants always recognized mom and me. They were especially kind to mom. One would wave us over to his booth. Mom paid for the cheapest seats available. However, he would tell us where there were two great grandstand seats available that we could occupy. For us, it was like hitting a lottery. Mom thanked him while reaching into her bag to hand him a loaf of banana or date nut bread. For reasons beyond the baked goods, I'm sure he felt as good as we did.
I never forgot the feeling I had walking through the dark corridors of the park leading to the bright sunshine bursting onto the field from the ramp opening. To this day, I still get a chill reliving that site, especially at Fenway.
Like all other fans, we had our favorite players; Frankie Malzone on third, Harry Agganis, the huge catcher, Haywood Sullivan, the antics of the right fielder, Jimmy Piersall. Of course there was the "Splendid Splinter", Ted Williams. He would make mom and I laugh every time at bat. He wiggled his rear end as every pitch was released. I am so blessed with memories. Thank you mom.
One of my biggest regrets, as a young adult I never knocked on mom's apartment door, waving two Red Sox tickets telling mom we're going to Fenway!