Jonathan Lucas

First, Fourth and Last Jonathan Lucas

Take a look back at New York circa 1971. Growing up and learning about baseball, Yankee tradition, and seeing the big ballpark in the Bronx for the first time. What could be better?

Yes, indeed, for a nine-year old boy, what could be better than his first trip to the Stadium with his father? It was Sunday, June 6, 1971-and Bat Day. After a disrupted subway trip and a cab ride, tickets were purchased, he was through the turnstile, and then he was given a Louisville Slugger with the name of his favorite ballplayer, Bobby Murcer. Again, what could be better?

See that day through the eyes of the nine-year old boy. The Sunday morning ritual of Mass at his parish church followed by the anticipation and preparation for that first trip to the House That Ruth Built. Then a walk up Avenue A and across Houston Street to the Second Avenue subway stop. Seeing that magical baseball palace. Receiving a souvenir bat. Stan Bahnsen is on the mound and the Yankees are on the way to a victory over the Kansas City Royals. A time with his father to be cherished.

First, Fourth and Last was written for all who can identify with those special childhood days. It is also for those who want to learn about how the NYC of the early 1970s, as well as sport teams and players that seemed larger than life, created memories for a lifetime.

The book focuses on that first game in a season that saw the Yankees finish in fourth place. It was also the last season before baseball's labor and management acrimony was to become a source of ongoing anxiety for those who loved the game.