The-News-Leader.com - Front Row Seat: Baseball provides special moments for father and son

by Mike Lesko, Stow Sentry Associate Editor

I was 11 years old when my father, Mike Lesko II, took me to my first Cleveland Indians baseball game at Cleveland Stadium.

We went to plenty of games in the following years, too.

I don't recall who won most of those games. What I remember the most was just being with my dad. That is what made them meaningful.

On Father's Day, I will be thinking about those moments when Dad and I went the ballgames together. Perhaps others will have their own special memories, too, of time spent with their fathers.

When Dad drove me to the games from our home in Lorain, it was always a thrill to spot the stadium in the distance.

After we parked the car, we walked toward the stadium, where we could see the replica of Chief Wahoo, standing about 40 feet tall and holding a baseball bat next to the ballpark. It was as if his smiling face was greeting us.

We sat in our seats in the lower right field stands. Food vendors walked up and down the aisles, and Dad bought me a soft drink and a hot dog. I remember how great they tasted. The pop was cold and syrupy. The hot dog was smeared with spicy mustard. It was a real treat.

In those days, our house -- like many others -- only had black-and-white TV. Walking inside the stadium and seeing the bright green field for the first time provided an almost unreal feeling.

It was like a giant mural had been unfolded in front of our eyes. It looked magnificent.

I remember seeing how far the outfield grass extended -- from behind second base all the way to the warning track next to the center field fence.

I told my dad that I wondered how a batter could ever hit a ball that far. I know that sounds silly now, but looking at the field for the first time, it just seemed so enormous.

The Indians lost to the New York Yankees that day, but it didn't matter. We had a great time. It was the start of something special.

Baseball provided an activity that Dad and I could enjoy together. As a youngster, Dad drove me to the games. As an adult, I drove him to the ballpark.

We spent time together and talked -- or just enjoyed each other's company.

We got to see a lot of great baseball players -- from Carl Yastrzemski to Reggie Jackson to Cal Ripken Jr. -- and some memorable events.

On Sept. 2, 1990, Dad and I watched a no-hitter in person when Dave Stieb of the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Indians, 3-0, at Cleveland Stadium.

The Blue Jays were a powerhouse team in those days. Since some of their fans couldn't get tickets for their home games, they often traveled to Cleveland to see the Blue Jays.

On that day, it seemed like about two-thirds of the people in attendance were Blue Jays fans.

The suspense built as the game progressed. Toward the end of the game, it seemed like everybody was rooting to see a no-hitter. Afterward, we felt fortunate to have watched something so unique together.

I remember Dad saying with a smile, "I'm glad he picked today to pitch a no-hitter."

When we weren't at Indians games in person, we often watched them together on TV at his house -- or sat on his back porch and listened to the games on the radio.

Baseball provided a special bond for my dad and his only child, and helped create indelible memories.

E-mail: mlesko@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3917