BABY BOMBERS
Field of Dreams winners line up with their Yankee heroes
Dreams became reality for a group of wide-eyed young Yankees fans Wednesday when pitcher David Robertson sprang from the dugout carrying a bucketful of bubble gum.
The kids — winners of the Daily News’ 2018 Field of Dreams essay contest — crowded around the AllStar reliever and dug into the sacred stash of Double Bubble usually reserved for players.
“I’m gonna chew it, spit it out somewhere safe and keep it forever,” said Hunter Yarmy, 8.
Free chewing gum — not to mention getting to meet some of their favorite Yankee players — was just one of several special moments the Field of Dreams winners experienced.
Each year, The News accepts essay submissions from young readers all over the tristate area on the meaning of Yankee tradition. Nine winners receive the grand prize: The thrill of running onto the Yankee Stadium field along with the starting lineup and standing with the players during the national anthem.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Nicholas Canny, 13, whose essay was on how the Yankees’ winning tradition represents “the best of America.”
“Most Major League baseball teams don’t offer this kind of experience.”
Before their big moment on the field, the youngsters got to hang out by the dugout before the game, interacting with the players in ways that most kids only get to dream about.
Shortstop Didi Gregorius jogged straight over to the winners after his pregame warmup, making sure to give each of them a highfive or fist-bump.
First baseman Greg Bird made it a point to seek out the youngster he was set to accompany on the field.
“Which one of you is running out with me?” he asked the kids, smiling broadly when 9-year-old Charlie Glacken shot up his hand in response.
When the time came for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the young winners dashed out onto the field with their assigned players and stood handoverheart next to their heroes under a partly sunny sky as the national anthem played.
As the kids made their way back to a private room. they could hardly contain their excitement, shouting about being on the Jumbotron screen and rubbing shoulders with the players.
Each of them received a goody bag filled to the brim with Yankees swag. The Aaron Judge bobblehead doll and Yankees-branded arm warmers were the biggest hits.
“I’m going to sleep in this thing,” said Nicholas, donning the arm warmer.
Not even the Yankees’ tough 7-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles could dampen the kids’ excitement over such an unforgettable experience.
“At my summer camp all of my friends wanted to switch with me ,” said GabrielD’ Annunzi oK ar am ouzos ,9, who then unintentionally paraphrased Lou Gehrig’s famous line.
“I feel like the luckiest kid in the whole wide world.”