A Really Good Not-Birthday

Jeff Cohen

Well, that was a surprise.

I arrived home from my new home-away-from-home, the RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center (heretofore known as "the gym") on Friday expecting nothing out of the ordinary except that my wife, who was taking a couple of days off from work, would be home.

When I saw a sign in the window reading, "Happy 60th Birthday!" I imagine my suspicions should have been activated. For one thing, my birthday was, at that point, 25 days away, so the whole sign thing seemed a touch premature. Once inside, my wife and son informed me there was something I needed to see. Now. And they seemed very excited about it.

To be fair, I was not entirely naive about what was going on. I'd suspected for a few years that when my birthday hit a year with a 0 in it there would be a trip to Yankee Stadium and the tickets purchased would be for seats considerably more desirable (and pricey) than the ones I usually buy, which are in the absolute last row of the nosebleed seats behind home plate, backs literally to the stadium wall, players more a rumor than a reality on the field. 

But it had never occurred to me I'd be getting seats to a Yankees/Red Sox game weeks before the actual date itself. 

So plans for the day--which mostly included getting started on the next-next Haunted Guesthouse book (the next one, HOSTESS WITH THE GHOSTESS, is scheduled for release on January 8, 2018), were scrapped. A trip to the Stadium is an all-day affair, and the whole family was going. It would be easier for my daughter, who lives in the Bronx anyway, to make the game.

After two hours of trains (NJ Transit from New Brunswick to New York, then the NYC MTA subway system from 34th St. to 161st St., we met at Gate 2 and found our way to our seats.

Keep in mind, I'm used to the nosebleeders. When I saw the vantage point from here, with the players actually life sized (except Arron Judge, who is the size of the Chrysler Building) and all visible at one time, I was spoiled for the rest of my life. I imagine I'll be back to the upper reaches again sometime, but it's going to be a comedown. 

I've been a fan of the Yankees--and you can say what you like about them, but not to me--since I was 7, which I have now let out of the bag was close to 53 years ago. It's my one true obsession and the thing about which I am least rational. Say what you want about my writing, my politics, my taste in music or movies, and I'll try to see your side. Suggest that I should root for another team and you will be banished from my Twitter feed.

So the game was a terrific spectacle. Turns out the noise from the insane scoreboard is not as loud and jarring downstairs as it is up among the cheapskates in the 68th tier. Things that had soured me on seeing the game in person in recent years did not seem to be as important. And the team I root for managed a victory after a little suspense, which is the best way to win. Ask Alfred Hitchcock.

In short, we had a splendid day and I'm still shaking my head at the shock of it all. (We had a server bring us food at the ballgame!) 

Now, I'm told the celebrations are not over. Something occurring on or near the actual date itself is in the works. I'm sure it will be lovely. I'm in the hands of three wonderful people who have great instincts. 

I can barely wait to be 60.

Comments

[Dru]

Love the jumbotron photo and I love seeing the beard on you too. I'm so glad the Yankees won that game for you. Happy pre-Birthday Jeff.

[Jeff Cohen]

Thanks, Dru!

[KnyttWytch]

It looks (and sounds) as though you had a great day - and many happy returns for whenever the day itself is!

[Alice Duncan]

What a lovely gift. Happy birthday a bit early!

[Deb Romano]

What a neat way to celebrate! As a fan of your books and as a lifelong Yankee fan, I'm excited for you!

Isn't it great that you get to celebrate your birthday twice this year?!

[Jeff Cohen]

It is, Deb! (At least twice: I have no idea what the plans are!)

[Shannon]

As as fellow Yankees fan, I'm super excited for you that you got experience such a great game. I'm throwing the German caution out the window and wishing you a very happy birthday, even though it's not for another 3 weeks.

[Shannon]

I'm also embarrassed that despite triple checking my post, I missed a word. Oops! The sentence should have read " I'm super for you that got TO experience such a great game." I always feel like I need to step up my grammar when writing to authors and my former English teachers.

[Annette]

Jeff, I do understand your loyalty to the Yankees. When I was a kid, one of my uncles took me to a game and bought me a Cubs cap ( I can still remember the wonderful smell of that new cap). I was a Cubs fan for a very long time. No, not since their last Series win, but a long time. And when they won the series, I was absolutely thrilled and amazed. And I love the Cubs. Love the Rangers too just 'cause, and the Astros ( I do live in Texas). But no one gets me like the Cubs. So, I would never question your love of the Yankees. After all, a team that had a Mickey Mantle can't be all bad. And then there is...well you know they have had some remarkable players. Congratulations on being such a well loved husband and father. And enjoy the days and weeks of your birthday celebration.

[Jeff Cohen]

Don’t worry—I won’t let the event go by unblogged!

[Bobbi A. Chukran]

What an awesome birthday!

[Ruth Nixon]

Sounds like a birthday month and your wonderful family knew what would be the perfect gift. Wonder what will happen on the actual date.

[Donald A. Coffin]

Two words: I'm jealous.

(There is no baseball--that counts--in February.)

[Jeff Cohen]

No, but there is… wait, I’ll think of something…

[Patty]

So glad you had a wonderful day! After all you've gone through this year it was so nice of them. I'm a baseball fan as well, but I grew up in Iowa with a Cubs AAA team, thus the games were on TV every day (when the Cubs only played in natural light). Last year was a wonder for me - and I imagine that every year the Yankees have won is just as much a wonder for you. Enjoy your birthday month, you've earned it.