昨天天上掉下餡餅

俺家小子們是鐵杆的紅襪子飯，一個賽季一百多場球每場球如果可能都要看(電視），球員的統計數字曆史故事都倒背如流。每年LG還一定要帶他們去次球場，為了他們長大了能說"when my dad took me the ball park,.....". 要在俺們屯你就知道，紅襪子球賽是場場爆滿，沒有廣泛深入的本地關係幾乎就買不到平價的票。 單位每年球票有抓鬮兒，抓到了跟中了樂透獎一樣。黃牛票也買過，最高的一張二百多（平價的七八倍)，貴得俺自己都不舍得去了，反正也不特別感興趣。就因為搞球票實在痛苦，每次到其他地方旅遊，都要事先看好紅襪子在當地有沒有比賽，湊個時間，其他地方的球票都會好買而且便宜。

就在這個周末還在說今年的票還沒著落呢。 結果昨天天上掉下個餡餅，LG的大老板早上給了他四張位置巨好的當晚的球票，不知道是不是算是獎勵他最近給公司做的一個DEAL。那些位子的票麵價都要三百多，四張票要自己掏錢怎麽也得四位數.  最精彩的還是當晚的投手是紅襪子今年剛從日本花大價錢買來，人氣衝天的鬆阪大輔，小子們的新偶像。

時間是緊了點，下午有網球課，足球賽，學校計劃，明天還有州裏統考。。。。但是。。。若為紅襪子，一切皆可拋。 放學回來老二知道這個突然來的好消息跳了起來，老大都興奮的說不出話隻顧傻笑。二話不說趕緊換上看球的行頭：紅襪子球衣，帽子，手套。還捎上作業，去球場的路上在車裏把作業做了。

這次是俺第一次跟他們去Fenway Park看球. 真還沒有見他們幹什麽事情像看球這麽專注過，三個小時，老大做記錄，恨不得眼睛不眨，跟他們說話要等到換人間隙，連廁所也不舍得上了。 昨天的球賽很好看，鬆板投完了整場（在美國第一次），紅襪子七比一贏了。他們總算過了癮。 晚上半夜才回到家，今天早上隻好讓他們多睡點，沒坐校車俺去送。

（後記）八個月後，老二學校演講，他選的故事就是這場球賽。看他寫的 (見附）真是記憶猶新啊。

                                          

Inning After Inning

It was the top of the 7^th inning and Dice-K was on the mound.  The Red Sox were playing the Detroit tigers and …… wait a minute….top of the 7^th inning and Dice – K was still on the mound?  Most major league pitchers are out of the game by the 7^th inning.  Was Dice – K about to hit a milestone in his career?

Let’s back up a little…

Our family had just eaten dinner and was walking to the ballpark. The only thing I was hoping for was a Red Sox win.

The game started out like any other.  It was 0 – 0 at the end fo the 2^nd inning.  In the 3^rd inning, Dice- K gave up a homerun to the Detroit Tigers.

At the top of the 8^th inning, Dice – K came out of the dugout and headed for the picther’s mound.  I was beginning to think that this was no ordinary game.  Soon, Dice – K had pitched 8 strong innings.  Would he come out of the dugout to pitch again in the 9^th?

 He did, and the crowd went wild.

There was a lot of tension and energy in the ballpark.  Half of the Fenway was on its feet.  I was worried that the pressure would get to Dice – K and distract him.

 The 1^st batter of the inning went down.  The crowd roared.

The 2^nd batter came up.  I had a bad feeling that this guy would hit a homer.  He didn’t.  Dice – K struck him out.

Every fan in the stadium, including my family and me, was on their feet.  Only one more out stood between Dice – K and a complete game.

I held my breath.  Dice – K threw.  The batter connected with the ball.  It sailed into the outfield and was caught.  Everyone went wild.  Dice – K had pitched a complete game right in front of my eyes!

I could feel the ticket in my pocket as we left Fenway Park.  I decided that I would cherish it, and the memories it gave me, forever.

Thank you.