John Peterman (aka J. Peterman) had a far different Yankee Stadium experience than the rest of us. In 1963, he had a tryout with the team. What struck him as he stood at home plate and took batting practice was the very palpable atmosphere of one of America's greatest venues, even when it was empty.
"The dirt seemed even more red than I remembered, the grass bright green in contrast. The stands surrounding the field like a wall seemed to rise up for a mile. The sky was very far away. The ghosts of Ruth and Gehrig were very close. And the place echoed. Every crack of the bat reverberated."
Maris batted before Mr. Peterman and knocked eight or 10 pitches into the right field bleachers. "Maris and I both hit left-handed," says Mr. Peterman, who went on to play three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "All similarity ended there."
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