Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
While most baseball fans hate the Yankees, there is no denying their history of greatness. On Monday before the game against the Angels, they added to their legacy of being one of the classiest teams in baseball. This is the story of Gwen Goldman and how baseball is for the fans.
Gwen Goldman’s origin story
When Gwen Goldman was 10 years old, she wrote a letter to the Yankees organization asking if she could be a bat girl for her favorite team. In the letter, she expressed how she could handle the job that had traditionally only been given to boys. Of course, her logic was flawless.
To her surprise, Roy Hamey, Yankees General Manager at the time, responded to her letter. She was disappointed that her request had been rejected, but she was thankful for the response nonetheless. Goldman saved that letter which was dated June 23, 1961, right in the middle of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris’ pursuit of Ruth’s single-season home run record.
Goldman’s place is on the field
While Hamey didn’t come across as condescending or belittling, he was wrong to assume that she would feel “out of place in a dugout” because she was a young lady and the game was dominated by men. Goldman, just like any other baseball fan, could easily be able to find a second home in a baseball dugout.
Baseball doesn’t know gender roles or biases, it only knows passion. And after 60 years, Hamey finally got her chance. Goldman’s daughter, Abby, emailed the letter to the Yankees and this time Brian Cashman responded. It was a wonderful gesture from Cashman and the Yankees to not only invite her to be the ball girl for the Yankees, but to have her throw the ceremonial first pitch as well.
Gwen Goldman and the Yankees: A Story 60 Years in the Making
It was one of those times when I was proud to support such a wonderful sport that stands for the equality of everyone. Props to the Yankees for their wonderful display of class. While the Yankees lost to Ohtani-led Angels, the Yankees won the hearts of many baseball fans.
