Monte Irvin
From 1970 through 1972, my wife worked in the MLB Commissioner's Office on 5th Ave. in New York City. As a result, we were issued "gate" passes (we were on our own to find a non-reserve seat) which got us into any MLB ballpark in the country. On one occasion, we attended a game at Yankee Stadium with several of the brass from the Commissioner's Office. As I remember (it was 44 years ago), we sat about 15 rows up, behind home plate. We sat next to Monte Irvin, who also worked in the Commissioner's Office at the time. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a couple of years later, in 1973. It was quite an experience.
My wife's gig also got us invited to the Commissioner's Office Christmas party for a couple of years, held at Toots Shor restaurant in mid-town. At one party, we met and talked as some length with sports artist Leroy Neiman, who had just published the book, "This Great Game," beautifully illustrated with many of his paintings. Great memories of NYC in the early 1970's.
Lyman
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