A New York Yankees fan's dream of becoming the team's honorary bat girl has finally come true after six decades.
Gwen Goldman officially filled the position at the Yankees' home game against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
"It is my honor and my dream, and I can't thank you enough for making this come true," the 70-year-old said to Yankees GM Brian Cashman during a video call in which she was invited to the game.
"Thank you for doing this for us women and for moving forward and opening the world up to the population," she added. "I feel like I'm in a dream, to tell you the truth."
Goldman was 10 years old when she wrote a letter to the Yankees general manager at the time, Roy Hamey, revealing her dreams of becoming a bat girl for the Bronx Bombers, but she was rejected because of her gender.
"While we agree with you that girls are certainly as capable as boys, and no doubt would be an attractive addition on the playing field, I am sure you can understand that in a game dominated by men a young lady such as yourself would feel out of place in a dugout," Hamey wrote back to her in a letter that was posted on social media.
The response did not dampen her spirits though. Goldman hung the letter up on the wall to show her "love for the Yankees and to hold on to a dream," she explained in the video call.
It was Goldman's daughter, Abby, who made sure her mother’s hopes did not die. She forwarded Hamey's letter to Cashman, who responded by fulfilling Goldman’s long-ago request.
"Although your long-ago correspondence took place 60 years ago — six years before I was born — I feel compelled to resurrect your original request and do what I can to bring your childhood dream to life," Cashman told Goldman, reading from a new letter addressed to her.
"Here at the Yankees, we have championed to break down gender barriers in our industry. It is an ongoing commitment rooted in the belief that a woman belongs everywhere a man does, including the dugout," he continued.
"And despite the fact that six decades have passed since you first aspired to hold down the position as a New York Yankees Bat Girl, it is not too late to reward and recognize the ambition you showed in writing that letter to us as a 10-year-old girl."
Adding to her excitement, Goldman also threw the ceremonial first pitch as a part of the team's 2021 HOPE Week initiative, and although the Yankees were bested by the Angels by 5-3 on Monday, it remains a memorable day for Goldman.
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