By Sonny Jones
Let’s start with a confession. I’ve never seen “Field of Dreams.” Really. Yep, I’m the one.
As a lifelong sports fan, baseball lover and having retired after a 44-year career covering sports less than two weeks ago that may seem odd. Movies — aside from “Caddyshack” and “Major League” — just aren’t my thing.
Thursday’s “Field of Dreams” game between the Yankees and White Sox gave me a feeling of what I’ve missed. From Kevin Costner emerging from the corn and slowly walking toward the infield to the players arriving through the high green stalks, from the wooden, hand-operated scoreboard to Chicago’s old-time looking uniforms, the game was a classic before the first pitch was thrown by Lance Lynn.
The aerial shots of a major league field in the middle of a gigantic corn field in Dyersville, Iowa, were awesome. It looked like perfect setting to shoot a movie. It was heaven, indeed.
The game, which was won by the White Sox 9-8 on Tim Anderson’s walk-off two-run homer after the Yankees had taken the lead with a four-run ninth-inning rally, played like it was cornfield derby with Jose Abreu, Aaron Judge twice, Eloy Jimenez, Seby Zavala, Brett Gardner, Giancarlo Stanton and Anderson belting blasts into the ears over the fence.
It was easy to forget that it was a real regular season game. It was an important game for the Yankees, who are battling to get into the playoffs. The White Sox are comfortably en route to an American League Central Division title.
It was an even more important game for Major League Baseball, which has drawn lots of criticism for many of its decision over the years, often times deservedly so, got it right with the “Field of Dreams” game. It should get MLB much needed and deserved positive publicity.
MLB has committed to a “Field of Dreams” game next year. Hopefully, it will become an annual event.
It was an amazing event with an exciting finish in a sport that slogs its way through a marathon 162-game season. It was exactly what baseball needed.
Now, anyone want to grab a Guy Fieri apple pie hot dog, have a catch and then watch a movie?
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
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