TIME IS A MOVING I can remember as a kid going to summer camp. My brother loved camp, but me? Not particularly. It seemed like pre-military training with revelry, taps, communal eating, bunk mates, training and competition as hey, we’re in the army now! We went to camp for two months which was a luxury for my parents. The two little urchins were away and cared for. Back then the two months seems like a century — today two months go by in a flash. In fact, today Thanksgiving was almost three months ago. Some of us remember Prince singing party like its 1999 and that was 24 years ago and Prince has since left the building. The year 2000 and the banks were going to fail. Well, they almost did in 2008 and we bailed them out. Now that their solvent, check out those credit card interest rates. Can’t you help a fellow out? They use to say; you’ll find a friend at Chase Manhattan. They were forced to stop saying that when New York State said it was false advertising. So, time marches on and so do you. Since you only have a short time on the rock you want to make the most of it. Health is your most important ally. Without health you’re in real trouble. Family is next and a source of income comes close behind. At least here at the practice we can help you with your teeth’s health. As you age there will come a time when your most important pleasure might be eating so you’ll probably want healthy teeth. I’m always happy to see you and make sure your mouth is in tip top shape and hear what you’re up to. So, fight the good fight and carry on. Hope to see you soon.
Have you ever noticed that time is continually marching on? If not, just take a look in the mirror. It seems as you get older time seems to move quicker. Maybe it’s our constant fast pace lifestyle here in New York. Other times it could be it feels shorter because you have been on the planet for a while.
Before you know it, pitchers and catchers, followed by all the rest, show up for Spring Training. There was a time being a Yankees fan you would be assured of going to the playoffs. Not any longer: The Bronx Bombers have left the building. Making it into the postseason is a crapshoot. As for your New York Metropolitans, the vision of having the rug pulled out from under you in August is becoming a regular event. The last time I went to the stadium a beer cost $15, and lucky for me they had no regular cups, so I had to pay $19 for the ceremonial cup. When I tried to have the ceremonial cup refilled, I was told it was now contaminated and I had to buy another. That was when I said adios to Yankee Stadium. It doesn’t feel the same on television but you can see the action better and save. Can you imagine if the boss was still alive what would be going on there? The boss was a winner and he wanted a winning team no matter what. It would be highly unlikely that a decade would go by without a Yankee World Series trophy. But back to reality. Maybe I’m dense, but how can you sign players to contracts for a very long time at such exorbitant prices and believe they will continue to produce? Take Aaron Judge, yes a superstar, but do you really think he will continue to produce for the length of his contract? When he becomes a designated hitter with two to three appearances per game can you fathom the cost of each at bat? When I lived on Long Island growing up, I was a Mets fan. When I moved to Manhattan, I became a Yankees fan. I guess the LIRR was an easier ride to Shea while the subway was an easier ride to the stadium. Most baseball fans have a baseball story. Here’s mine. When I was in Los Angeles each summer, I would come back to New York to check things out. I would go to see a Yankees day game in August. One year I went to the stadium, and when I was buying my ticket, I showed my California driving license and said I’m a big Yankees fan. The guy told me to go over to the wall and wait. I’m standing there, and it is now 1:15 p.m. with the game 2 www.reitdds.com HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
starting. Maybe he thought I was just a dumb Los Angelino but with my accent he knew I was a real New Yorker. He finally came over and said twenty bucks and then told Joe, there’s always a Joe to take me in, and take me in he did. I was sitting three rows behind home plate. My line of sight was over the umpire who was over the catcher in direct line with the pitcher. I had my own private table and the staff was told to give me whatever food and drinks I wanted on the stadium. At the end of the game, Joe appeared and said follow me. I was taken to the Yankee Store and fitted with a complete Yankees uniform including the coveted and famous Yankee Blue Team Jacket – the one that sort of glows. They said when you get back to LA tell ‘em “The Boss Treated You Right.” The boss is gone but the story lives on. I was the king of the stadium for one day, and I can only assume Mr. Steinbrenner had a good previous night.
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