Early Season Missed Games...

By Paul Semendinger

April 7, 2026

***

Thus far the Yankees have been very exciting to watch. They are off to an excellent start. Except... I haven't seen very much of any of the games.

I did watch some of Opening Night. Ethan has free Netflix for a year, so I went to his place to watch the first three innings, but we spent more time talking than watching the game.

Then we were in Boston visiting with my son Alex and his wife. I missed the Opening Weekend games. Family is more important than the Yankees.

Next, the first two Seattle games were on late at night causing me to choose sleep over sleep deprivation - and I missed those games as well.

I caught glimpses of the end of last Wednesday's game after work, but I still hadn't seen a full game.

Then, this last weekend, we were away again taking care of our almost two-year-old grandchildren. There is nothing better than that!

My son's old train table (made by Santa with the help of my wife and I, and my father-in-law) has been in our house unplayed with for most of the last twenty years. The train table and accessories made the trip to a new home to the delight especially of my grandson. He spent hours moving Thomas and the train cars around the track. This warmed my heart to no end.

With my grandchildren being the priority, the Yankees fell, yet again, to the backburner.

On Saturday night, before Easter, Ethan (who was also visiting and helping with the babies) and I caught the last three innings of the game. We almost watched the bullpen blow a three-run lead, but David Bednar came through in the end.

So, the Yankees are playing great baseball and I am only tangentially "watching" from afar.

I heard that Aaron Judge hit a homer that hit an ambulance. I didn't see it.

I head that Cam Schlittler has been a beast. I haven't seen him throw one pitch this year.

Ben Rice has a few homers. I haven't seen them either.

I only saw Cody Bellinger's amazing catch on Twitter (X).

I did see Giancarlo Stanton steal a base. But I wonder, did I see that, or was I imagining it?

As the babies napped on Easter, I tried to get the Yankees game on my computer, but the links on the website wouldn't let me log in. I finally got the game on my phone only to see they were in a rain delay.

We will be back home when this article goes "live." As such, I will watch a ton of games going forward.

I'll enjoy finally the Yankees tonight, but, truth be told, I enjoy reading children's books, stacking blocks, looking at toy cars, laughing, coloring, running around, and making choo choo train noises for little wooden trains a lot more...

It will be great to be home, and back to my old routines, but I'd rather be playing with two great little toddlers.