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Informationen zum Autor William Fredrick Cooper is the author of Six Days in January , There’s Always a Reason , One Season (In Pinstripes) , and Unbreakable . Klappentext Cooper has experienced loss of employment! character assaults! and the painful truth that the reinvention of his life is necessary. Humbling himself before God and allowing the painful process of emotional and spiritual growth! an amazing journey begins. One Season HOME SWEET HOME? M oving slowly along the infield grass of a brisk November evening, the ground ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino took forever to reach second baseman Robinson Cano. In those precious milliseconds before the World Series-clinching putout was recorded and Queen’s “We are The Champions” replaced Frank Sinatra’s New York theme throughout the stadium, I tried to imagine what Joe DiMaggio must have felt in 1936, or Derek Jeter some sixty years later. Like those pinstripe legends, I was a rookie with my favorite professional sports team, the New York Yankees, and about to celebrate a world championship. To say that my one season working as a maintenance attendant in the exclusive Legends Suite Club at the new Yankee Stadium was merely a job is a tremendous understatement. Right at the season’s inception, from those initial April exhibition games against the Chicago Cubs, a voice from somewhere told me that I would be part of a special experience that would alter the course of my life. Principal Owner George Steinbrenner had built the Yankees a spanking new, $1.5 billion construction complete with state-of-the-art amenities, and Alliance/First Quality Management, the cleaning company contracted to maintain the newness of the ballpark, stationed me in the lower men’s restroom of their exclusive, bi-level restaurant. Cognizant of the less-than-glamorous duties that came with the position, I felt fortunate to have been chosen to provide service in one of the most important venues of the sports ground; for the Legends Suite Club was a breathtaking provider of service that transcended any entertainment or dining venue. Embodying the spirit of The House That Ruth Built by blending Yankees tradition with the new millennium, seeing a century’s worth of Yankees images posted throughout the extravagant event space made employees and patrons feel as if they were a small part of history. Discussing that point with Kevin Michaels, a Yankees historian masquerading as a Legends bartender, I could see from the gleam in his eyes that he too had taken residence in pinstripe paradise. “Man, this makes up for all those games I longed to go to,” I told him Opening Day. “I want to show you something,” Kevin responded. Flipping open his cellular phone, he punched the keys that led to his pictures section and showed me two bleacher seats from the old stadium. “These cost me a pretty penny,” he crowed. “Trust me, buddy, this season you’ll get back your return handsomely.” Sharing a knowing smile, we embraced. A black man from Jersey City, New Jersey and a bearded white man from Suffolk County, walking different lives yet on the precipice of sharing a season-long bond of Yankees love through trivia tests, T-shirts and championship pins. As if our union was ordained, I had found a kindred spirit, a blood brother in faith willing to join me on the magic carpet ride. What was the color of the blood running through our veins? Yankee Blue, of course. For me, the opportunity to contribute to the hallmark of greatness that was the New York Yankees for one season was a dream come true. And with that ...
