Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 23:27:59 -0400 From: Mary Murtha To: Peter Hilpl , Troy , Susan Murtha-Smith , Beth Murtha , Cindy Murtha Tanny , DrPoppel , DeborahPoppel , Jim Hoburg , Peggy Hoburg , Peter Stanton , Stephanie White , Greg , Linda Miller , Richard Miller , UncleDuv , Margie , Joe Klune , Gail , Young Jeff , Kathy Andolina , David Reese , Karen Barlow CC: Don Dudley , Maura , Leah , Juliet , Gabe Dear Family and Friends, It’s not that I haven’t cared about baseball all these years. I mean Jeff was a huge baseball fan and he did what he could to orient me. In the end, when he was very sick, we sometimes tested his level of consciousness by asking him who won the Red Sox game. Most of the time he knew the answer, even on days when he could not answer those silly questions about the date and the president. I admit I have not been thinking much about baseball over the last five years but I had a funny feeling I might be watching some this summer. Well, what do you know? Maura gave her father Red Sox tickets for Father’s Day. What a great idea! Moreover, she gave him enough tickets such that he could take some friends and it turns out he picked us. So…on Wednesday night, August 18th, Juliet, Gabe and I made our first trip to Fenway Park. We did our best to emulate Don, Maura and Leah. We stood when they stood, ate when they ate, cheered when they cheered. We didn’t really get the bit about tilting your hat for “deuces wild” (2 balls, 2 strikes and 2 outs) but for the most part, we looked like we belonged. I don’t think anyone would have known we were Fenway virgins. Juliet is an athlete after all and she did ace her summer course called “Sports Media.” I mean she actually knows what is going on. I have been following Johnny Damon who is an uncanny Jeff Moreau look alike so I had a meaningful focus during the game. Being in the presence of Leah is enough to keep Gabe in the game. Besides, he was thrilled about the ballpark food. Don was as high as I have ever seen him. What a gift. Between the team, the location and the company, he was a happy, happy man. Poor Leah. After the game, we revealed that it was actually our first Fenway experience. She stared at us in disbelief and looked as if she really felt sorry for us. I think she was wondering what on earth we have been doing with our time over the years. Perhaps it is similar to the way we feel when she admits she never experienced 4-H camp. The truth is, the park was absolutely loaded with people, all sorts, enjoying themselves immensely. I’m glad to be getting in on this ballpark theme. Never mind if it is late in the game. As soon as we took our seats, Maura signaled something to Don and he instinctively handed her a program on which she started to write stuff. Don said she was keeping score. At first, I wondered why. I mean they keep score for you, right? Well, it doesn’t matter. To see Don beaming at Maura’s scorekeeping is enough for me. I don’t need to know why. Oh and the Red Sox won. Yay! In then end, happy as a man can be and wanting his girlfriend to be happy too – Don bought me a souvenir. Actually Leah asked for a tee shirt and I got one too is really what happened. The tee shirt says, “Johnny Damon is my homeboy.” Get it? I do!!!!!!! Mary