How late is too late to live out your childhood dream?
Gwen McLoughlin, a New York resident, finally got to live out her dream at the ripe old age of 70.
RELATED STORIES
Sixty years ago, Gwen applied to be a bat girl for the New York Yankees, which is a role that’s traditionally been dominated by boys.
She was turned down at the time. But six decades later, the Yankees made things right.
Here’s Gwen’s rejection letter.
Everything needs to be viewed through the context of its time, so this 1961 letter obviously wouldn’t fly by 2021 standards.
Still, it’s hard not to cringe a little bit at this letter.
The original letter was forwarded to the Yankees.
Gwen’s daughter Abby sent the rejection letter to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
Cashman replied with another letter, one that made things right by offering Gwen a position as honorary bat girl in a 2021 game.
Gwen’s big game came on June 28.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops for Gwen, which is understandable considering the moment was six decades in the making. Gwen threw out the first pitch to Yankees shortstop Tyler Wade, and doffed her hat to the Yankee Stadium crowd.
She stood for the anthem with the team as well.
“It was the thrill of a lifetime, times a million,” Gwen told reporters.
While McLoughlin had a long, long wait for her big day, it’s truly inspiring to see it truly come to fruition.
The photos are worth a thousand words.
Gwen handed the Yankees lineup card to umpires, who then posed, along with the Yankees and visiting Los Angeles Angels managers, for a picture at home plate.
Good for you, Gwen.
“Thank you for doing this for us women and for moving forward and opening the world up to the population,” Gwen said.
Let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments section.
Last Updated on June 29, 2021 by D
