REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: A dream in pinstripes

The sights, sounds, and soul of Yankee Stadium through the eyes of an island girl.

If I wasn’t already overwhelmed with awe just being in the states for the first time, I definitely was the moment I stepped into Yankee Stadium.

My lifelong dream—the number one item on my bucket list—was finally coming true: watching the New York Yankees live. It was a Saturday afternoon I’ll never forget. The blend of the crowd’s chatter, music thumping from the sound system, flashing lights, a sea of pinstripe jerseys and fitted caps, and the smell of food from seemingly everywhere overwhelmed my senses in the best way possible.

I was just a small island girl in the middle of the zoo that is the Bronx, surrounded by strangers all connected by our shared love for the sport and the team. And somehow, I knew I was always meant to be there.

It felt like being back home again—from the heat of the late summer sun on my skin to the sudden thunderstorm that rolled in and delayed the game for nearly two hours. But I was grateful for it all, and I soaked up every minute of it.

Of course, my reporter instincts couldn’t stay quiet for long. I reached for my camera, snapping moments and capturing players I had only ever seen on TV. It felt like I was dreaming—until the thunderclap reminded me it was all real.

When the last pitch was thrown, the crowd went wild, and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared from the speakers. The urge to rush the field for closer photos and to interview the players overcame me—but just watching them celebrate was more than enough. I left the stadium with memories and photos I’ll cherish forever.

I never imagined I’d be living that moment, let alone writing about it now. It may not seem like a big deal to most, but to me, it meant everything. I’m forever grateful.

To top it all off, the Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 3–1. Honestly, even if they had lost, it wouldn’t have mattered. But that win? It sealed the deal. My first trip to the states had it all—and now, it’s time to start planning the next one.

By Leigh Gases