MY MOM:
I've been a bleacher creature since age 10. I own my own bleacher seat (the same one I sat on for 10 years). I’ve met with hundreds of Yankees over a 20 year span, and I’ve been to hundreds of games, I am very lucky to have had that opportunity in my life, and I am very humbled. You would think with all this Yankee baseball under my belt, that my favorite baseball memory would be something unheard of? Well, not too unheard of. A few months ago Paul O'Neill joined my "ARM" of fame when I was at one of his public signings. Pauly O joined my "arm" of fame among great company. I have the autographs of Mattingly, Mo Rivera, (who both personally signed my arm) Lou Gehrig, and Whitey tattooed into my right arm above and below the Yankee Façade. Paul O'Neill has now joined these Yankees whom I think made the greatest impact on the franchise in their respective eras. O'Neill’s autograph was the culmination of the Yankee legends to sign my arm. Of course, I had Rivera sign my arm last because he’s the best closer baseball has ever seen. If my mother had never brought me to that 1st Yankee game, (in the bleachers because we couldn’t afford any other seats) none of this would have been possible. My love for the Yankees wouldn’t have been this strong. My mother was not even a baseball fan back then. She would work all day and sometimes night just to bring my cousins and I to the stadium EVERY HOME GAME!! Players in the 90s knew my name, just from seeing me every day. Till this day I visit the bleachers from time to time and see all the familiar faces and take part in all the familiar chants. Although I’m a proud father and work hard every day, I keep Yankee baseball in my heart all day long. Regardless of the autographed ball from Pauly O, I would just like my story to be shared with all other Yankee fans... Maybe this story could be the inspiration of a young kid just starting his journey as a Yankee for life.
- John Kurschner
For being the August winner of the 1999 World Series contest, John will receive this Paul O'Neill 5-time World Series Champion autographed baseball with card holder. Congratulations, John!
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