When the Yankees won the World Series back in 1996, I decided to have a bit of fun. I marched my class down to Callahan's room, and we threw shredded paper all over the room, all the while marching around and around, chanting, "Eat your heart out Callahan, Yankees are the Champs again!"It was great theatre, and a great morale booster for the troops, who live for that kind of stuff. Naturally, I repeated it in 1998, and 1999. Being a Met fan made it harder in 2000, but it had become a tradition, and had to be done.
Then came the dark years, when Boston rose Phoenix-like from the ashes, and won two World Series and few Super Bowls. Callahan led a parade through my room after one such debacle, but the marchers marched under duress, and sullenly tossed their paper. I was proud of them.And so, today, I was not about to let the small and trivial detail of no longer working at Staten Island Tech deter me from my traditional role of "taunter of Callahan."
So, I emailed Manzo first thing this morning, and found, to my glee that a class was scheduled at the perfect time. I poked my head into his room before-hand, which ruined the surprise a bit, but added to the fun also, when he said, "I knew you wouldn't let me down, Bennett." The kids didn't know what a treat as in store for them, and they were gleeful when an entire brigade, including Manzo's class, and Ms. Ginos, (who had made a huge bag of confetti just for the occasion) strode down the hall and into his room.Prophetically, Manzo was teaching in room 310, my old room, the very one that I had launched so many epic parades from in year's past.
Alas, the Yankees denied me during my tenure in 313. I always thought something was missing.After we circled the class thrice, I hopped up onto a desk and proclaimed, "Let us hail the new Yankees, who, like their name-sakes, who saved the Union during the Civil War, have united the nation once again under the banner of Yankee greatness." We then asked Callahan to join in the salute, which he did, to his credit, but when we asked him to join the Yankee cadres, he demurred.
It was a lot of fun, but I have to say I was pretty downhearted when I left the building to rush off to my new job, which I loathe.
Until next year, then!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Kudos to you, a Met fan, for not pulling all of the whiny crap I've been hearing lately. I don't know.. to me, New York is New York, I'd be rooting for the Mets if they were in the Series (so long as my Yankees weren't). Sounds like it was a vintage Tech moment. I did find myself thinking of Mr. Callahan last night during those final outs.
ReplyDeleteSorry you hate your job, though. I'm surprised at you - I thought you would have known going in that you were going to like it. You strike me as someone who can see those kinds of things pretty well.
Mr. Bennett that is fantastic and I am so glad that you went back to continue the tradition. Although sadly I was unable to be a part of a winning Yankees parade while in the school, I remember the highlight of my day was when even after the Red Sox had won the World Series in 2007, we preemptively struck Mr. Callahan's Room with a parade and even though we hadn't won it was so loads of fun.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you came back to Tech and I actually learned of it via Facebook when someone posted a video of the parade and I was shocked when I saw you walking through the hallway. As well, everyone was very excited that you came back and several students were buzzing with the news. It felt like a time lapse as I couldn't believe my eyes but as I looked at the students. I knew it had to be true. I am so glad that you kept the tradition going on hopefully you can do it again next year.
My brother Mike and I are very proud that you did it and that you maintain the relationship with Mr. Callahan.
Just so you know, the senior girl Marianna, who I believe you know well, has two videos of you posted on Facebook. I will attempt to post the links here so that you can have a memory of it and you can watch it and smile while passing the time at your disappointing job. I will try posting it in a few minutes and hope that it will work!! If not I will try something else!
Thank you for continuing in this great Tech moment to echo Sam. I love that you did it!!
Mr. Bennett, I loved doing this two years ago. My morale was never higher than after throwing shredded paper in Mr. C's room and chanting. Thank you for helping to keep the important traditions in Tech alive!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic! Wish I was there to help. In my film-making class here there is one girl that is a shameless Red Sox fan and she was being quite the pain after both of Cliff Lee's starts. I can't wait to get to that class in a few minutes though.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you continued the tradition! It was great having your class interrupt College-Russian, if only for the warm air stirred up against the frigid breeze from the always-wide-open windows in Callahan's room.
ReplyDeleteI predict the Red Sox will not win another World Series until 2093. 2007 will become the new battle cry at all Yankee-Red Sox games. This will go down in baseball folklore as the curse of A-rod.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear that you still have a standing army of Yankee fans ready to march. The 2007 Giants ticker tape parade through Tech was better than the one down the canyon of heroes.
Remember, in victory magnanimity and in defeat defiance.
Great quote Danny White. I miss these great comments from you. But I will use your last line, forever now, and attribute it to you of course because people know I am not smart enough to come up with that. But I would like more Danny White insights here.
ReplyDelete