A Jewish mom finally got to be a bat girl for the New York Yankees on Monday night 60 years after her request was originally turned down because of her gender, ESPN reported.
Gwen Goldman, 70, a retired social worker in Westport, Conn., served as bat girl at Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. During a news conference in the fourth inning, she said the experience “took my breath away.”
Wearing a full Yankees uniform, Goldman threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Yankees player Tyler Wade and then stood next to manager Aaron Boone for the national anthem. She was later introduced to the crowd before she walked onto the field and waved her cap as fans applauded.
Current Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Goldman during a Zoom call that he was forwarded an email, written by Goldman’s daughter, about her rejection in 1961. He then read out his own letter, inviting Goldman to be a bat girl as part of the Yankees’ annual Helping Others Persevere & Excel (HOPE) Week.