2004 ALCS is certainly a series my family will never forget. A year after leaving Yankee Stadium with my youngest son in tears, we remained faithful after down 0-3. Buying tickets off the streets, we made the 3 hr trip to Boston or hour trip to the Bronx to attend each game, which was magical although not great for my 5 kids (ages 7-14) school studies (getting home at 2 or 3 in the morning).
We certainly weren't going to miss game 7. We made the trek to Yankee Stadium with my kids but arrived just minutes before the start of the game. Needing 6 tickets, it became quickly apparent that this would be impossible. I found one person selling a single for $2500, which I wasn't willing to pay that for 7 tickets never mind one. I was beginning to think that for the 1st time ever, we would be shut out of a game. That's when more magic started. We were outside the gate where the picnic table area was located and noticed that gate was slightly ajar. We tested the mirage by trying the gate, surprisingly opened it and walked through. At this point we were not 100% sure we were all the way in the stadium, but excitedly soon found out that there were beyond the ticket gates.
We found scattered seats in the Red Sox family section and watched history from there. In the 9th inning, I collected my kids to go behind the RS dugout for the celebration. Shonda Shilling and Damon's wife to be, Michelle Mangan grabbed my daughter's hands and kiddingly proclaimed they weren't letting her go since she was their good luck charm. We made our way behind the dugout, where I asked John Henry to sign a ball for my 7 year old. He signed and dated it and today the ball proudly sits on his bookshelf. We stood in the 1st row behind the dugout, getting sprayed with champagne and enjoying the festivities for hours.
My 7 year old made it to school the next day at about noon (with a note from me excusing his tardiness), and we opened our New York Times to find a picture including 3 of my kids celebrating behind the dugout on the front of the paper. Magical, unforgettable and a great bonding experience for our family.
We certainly weren't going to miss game 7. We made the trek to Yankee Stadium with my kids but arrived just minutes before the start of the game. Needing 6 tickets, it became quickly apparent that this would be impossible. I found one person selling a single for $2500, which I wasn't willing to pay that for 7 tickets never mind one. I was beginning to think that for the 1st time ever, we would be shut out of a game. That's when more magic started. We were outside the gate where the picnic table area was located and noticed that gate was slightly ajar. We tested the mirage by trying the gate, surprisingly opened it and walked through. At this point we were not 100% sure we were all the way in the stadium, but excitedly soon found out that there were beyond the ticket gates.
We found scattered seats in the Red Sox family section and watched history from there. In the 9th inning, I collected my kids to go behind the RS dugout for the celebration. Shonda Shilling and Damon's wife to be, Michelle Mangan grabbed my daughter's hands and kiddingly proclaimed they weren't letting her go since she was their good luck charm. We made our way behind the dugout, where I asked John Henry to sign a ball for my 7 year old. He signed and dated it and today the ball proudly sits on his bookshelf. We stood in the 1st row behind the dugout, getting sprayed with champagne and enjoying the festivities for hours.
My 7 year old made it to school the next day at about noon (with a note from me excusing his tardiness), and we opened our New York Times to find a picture including 3 of my kids celebrating behind the dugout on the front of the paper. Magical, unforgettable and a great bonding experience for our family.