Story #12:
Whitey, Billy, The Mick, and Me

When I was in high school, I sold hotdogs and soda at the old Yankee Stadium, which fortunately for me, was only about eight blocks from my school. It was great making some spending money and wandering around the hallowed halls of the Stadium.

I especially looked forward to Saturday day games. While the gates opened at about noon to the general public, vendors were invited to come early, get into their white Harry M. Stevens concession jackets, and watch batting practice from the first few rows. My favorite players were Mickle Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Billie Martin—I even carried my Mickey Mantle signed Rawlings glove to Saturday batting practice in hopes I might snag a ball from behind first base.

One July Saturday, my heroes staggered out of the dugout and onto the field. It was obvious they had done some serious partying. I yelled, “hit one for me today, Mick.” To my amazement, Mick stopped turned around and walked toward me. My heart was racing. He noticed the glove. “Nice glove, kid.”

He walked back to Whitey and Billie. They nodded their heads in agreement. I sat down. Mickey walked back over. He handed me a signed ball. “My friends and I wanted you to have this.” I was blown away. I proudly went back to my locker with a ball signed by Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Billy Martin.

To learn more about what happened next, you might want to check out my latest book, a memorable collection of short stories, ONLY IN NEW YORK. 36 True Big Apple Stories Spanning 55 Years and Five Boroughs.