Remembering Dad, the Die-Hard Yankee Fan

My Dad, Harold D. Burk, was born in New York City on September 29, 1909. He died in the Bronx on this day in August of 1978. He was a big fan of baseball and would have enjoyed this lively, well-written book about the development of baseball leagues and super teams (Giants, Dodgers, Yankees) as the modern city of New York took shape. Photos included, highly recommended.

Dad was raised in upper Manhattan and, as a young teen, would have gone to the Polo Grounds to see the New York Giants play baseball. Once the original Yankee Stadium was opened in the Bronx in 1923, however, he regularly took the subway uptown to watch this star-studded team play. 

Dad served in World War II and when he returned home, he went on a blind date with his future wife (Daisy Schwartz, 1919-1981). They married and raised a family in the Bronx as he fulfilled his ambition of becoming an independent travel agent. 

Baseball was an important part of our childhood. Sis and I still remember going to Yankee games with Dad during the Mantle/Maris years when the sluggers were making home run history. Dad taught us to score each play in the program...and he treated us to hot dogs with the works.

Remembering Dad, the die-hard Yankee fan, on this day. He would have been pleased to know that his Yankees of 1978 did not disappoint--they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series for the second year in a row!