Perfect match
Stadium replica survives Sandy
It is The House That Grandpa William Built, a replica of Yankee Stadium constructed of matchsticks that has been an 86-year-old man’s four-year labor of love … and somehow, some way, survived the onslaught of Superstorm Sandy that gutted his house in Snug Harbor.
And now, William Becker, who became a Yankees fan the day Babe Ruth held him in his arms as a child, is holding out hope that his pride and joy can be displayed for one day at the real Yankee Stadium.
“As a young child I met Babe Ruth and became an instant and loyal Yankee fan,” Becker said in an email to his granddaughter, Kelly Herrington. “I always knew I wanted to create Yankee Stadium out of matches as a tribute to Babe Ruth and his team.
“Four years ago I started creating the stadium for my grandson, who is also a Yankee fan. After Superstorm Sandy flooded my house and destroyed most of my possessions, I recall with great joy and emotion seeing Yankee Stadium still standing and intact. Now more than ever I would love to share my creation with the Yankees and their fans”
Grandpa Bill evacuated before Sandy hit for Spotswood, N.J.
“He went to stay with my uncle, and we were getting reports the water came up and it flooded his house,” Kelly said. “He lost 99 percent of everything. But the stadium was up high enough, it was on a table, so it didn’t get hit at all.”
Grandpa Bill and his stadium now reside with Kelly’s uncle.
“He was putting the finishing touches on it,” Kelly said. “then the hurricane hit.”
When he returned to survey the devastation of his home, heartbreak took a holiday when he noticed the his Yankee Stadium still standing.
“It was tears of joy,” Kelly said. “That’s what gets him up and going every day, is working on it. He will drag the mailman out of the mail truck to look at the stadium.”
Grandpa Bill, who everyone calls Brother Beans because that’s what he calls everyone, told Kelly he has mailed pictures of his stadium to the Yankees but has yet to hear back.
Murt’ & Burk’ offer insight
This will be Sweeny Murti’s 13th season covering the Yankees for WFAN, where next month he will celebrate his 20th anniversary with the station. This will be Kevin Burkhardt’s seventh season covering the Mets for SNY. The Rumble asked this pair extraordinaire for their early takes on their respective teams:
Murti: “I understand why many fans are a little anxious about [the Yankees], but I don’t think every question they have has to be answered negatively. I don’t think everybody is gonna stink or get hurt. It’s a good team, not a great team, but I don’t think there’s a great team in the American League East. I think this team can manage 90 wins.”
Burkhardt: “I think the [Mets’] starting pitching is going to be pretty good. I do think the bullpen has a chance to be pretty solid too. I worry about the offense. I think .500 would be an amazing season.”
Murti on Kevin Youkilis: “I think he’s gonna fit in very well.”
Burkhardt on Ike Davis: “I think Ike has the perfect temperament to play in New York. He’s hilarious. This is no disrespect to David Wright. I would go as far as saying in some ways, this is Ike’s clubhouse. I think he makes a lot of people comfortable.”
Murti on Yankees’ age: “That’s a question for August and September. The biggest question mark I have in that group is Andy Pettitte, only because it’s been four years since he pitched as full healthy season.”
Burkhardt on Johan Santana: “I think he’s gonna have a big year.”
Murti on biggest question mark other than age: “Are they gonna score enough runs? This team lost a lot of offense, they lost a lot of home runs. You’re not gonna win games 2-1. It’s the American League East. You’re gonna have to do some damage offensively.”
Burkhardt on lame-duck manager Terry Collins: “He’s got a little edge to him.”
Murti on Mariano Rivera: “My guess is this is gonna be his last year.”
Burkhardt on Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey: “Wheeler’s the big, tall laid-back guy. He’s kinda got a quiet confidence to him. Harvey’s intense, man. On the exterior, he looks like more of the bulldog.”
Murti on covering Alex Rodriguez: “Alex is the gift that keeps on giving.”“
Burkhardt on Travis d’Arnaud: “He’s got that [Mike] Piazza opposite-field stroke.”
Murti on what it’s been like covering the Yankees: “It’s never boring, and that’s why I like it. I like the games more than anything else, and the Yankees make it interesting in that regard too. … I’m not sure what I would do if I had to cover a team that’s 20 games out on June 1st.”
Burkhardt on what it’s been like covering the Mets: “A dream come true professionally, but also very challenging. It’s easy to cover a winning team, but you earn your stripes if you can still be informative and entertaining while covering a team that’s struggling.”