How it began...

Twenty years ago when I was a precious seven year old in 1988 I got to stay up way past my bedtime. I sat with my Great Uncle Ted and watched the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Oakland A's in the first game of the World Series. My ginger younger brother had long since fallen asleep dreaming of having a soul like the rest of us, but I sat transfixed by the game.

My Great Uncle Ted was a World War II veteran. The kind of man that wore veteran trucker hats in 1988 way before Ashton Kutcher tried to make them cool. He was rooting for the Dodgers so naturally I was rooting for the Dodgers. It did not look good heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. I don't really think I understood the gravity of the Dodgers situation. Only when I was older, and had bought the official 1988 VHS World Series Game One Tape did I truly understand how stunning, unbelievable, and unique the events that were about to transpire would be in the history of baseball.

Two outs in the bottom of the ninth. 4-3 the A's are on top. Dennis Eckersley is on the mound. The pre-eminent closer of the day, and a future hall of famer. When Kirk Gibson came to the plate I remember my Great Uncle Ted saying that he was the Dodgers' best player, but was hurt. I then heard the legendary tale told by Vin Scully, undoubtedly not truly understanding, but hearing it:

"All year long, he answered the demands, until he was physically unable to start tonight——with two bad legs: The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. And, with two out, you talk about a roll of the dice... this is it.”

During the agonizingly long at bat, in which Gibson worked the 0-2 count to full after fouling off numerous pitches, Scully noted Gibson was:

"Shaking his left leg, making it quiver, like a horse trying to get rid of a troublesome fly.”

And then a crappy slider by Eckerlsey and...

“High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is... gone!!"

I still get goosebumps when I hear this...

"In a year that has been so improbable... the impossible has happened!”

In the aftermath:

“You know, I said it once before, a few days ago, that Kirk Gibson was not the Most Valuable
Player; that the Most Valuable Player for the Dodgers was Tinkerbell. But, tonight, I think Tinkerbell backed off for Kirk Gibson. And, look at Eckerlsley——shocked to his toes!”

At seven, I knew Tinkerbell as the magical fairy from Peter Pan. And at seven, though not understanding the magnitude or improbability of what I just saw I had a feeling that I saw something magical. Later, I realized that what I had just seen was the magic that transcends sports from simple games to shared moments that bond families and forge friendships.

Magic moments have surely followed in my sports watching lifetime. Sadly far too many being of the shared misery type of voodoo hexed upon Buffalo teams. But in that moment, 20 long long years ago today, I experienced sports ecstasy with my Great Uncle Ted. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Go Dodgers.