Standing Room Only

Andrew Miller

Some of the most enjoyable Cardinals baseball games that I've attended in the last five years have been with the cheapest of tickets. I sat in the Redbird Club and watched Adam Wainwright close out the 2006 World Series. I took my six year old cousin to his first Cardinals game and sat three rows behind the plate. I've probably sat in about 15 different sections in Busch Stadium III. However, the seven games that I have attended in standing room only have been the best.

When I graduated from high school, one of my closest friends entered the United States Air Force Academy. Since the day that Matt left for basic training I have only been able to see him about a dozen times in the last five years. While I spent much of my college experience enjoying myself more than I should have, Matt spent every day attending college while also preparing to become a pilot in the Air Force. I cannot even begin to grasp the level of difficulty at the Academy, but the fact that it is just the first step in a long career of service is even more impressive.

Each summer Matt had a brief amount of leave to spend in St. Louis. His fervor for service and leadership led him to spend much of his leave time volunteering with the Boys Scouts of America and give back to that organization that he loves so dearly. We would usually be able to find a few days to spend together with our group of friends between Matt's many commitments. One of our favorite ways to spend those days has always been Cardinals baseball. As college students, we were looking for the cheapest tickets possible, often waking up early to take advantage of the 550 ticket deal.

Waiting in line for those tickets was the first part of a great day. We'd usually be sitting in line for at least 30 minutes, providing a rare opportunity to catch up with Matt. We'd get our tickets and typically head straight to somewhere with hot coffee and a cheap breakfast. A power nap generally came next to be ready for the game that afternoon. We'd arrive with our standing room only tickets and stake out our favorite spot above the bleachers in left field above the visitor's bullpen.

The games were often hot and the day involved a lot of uncomfortable standing on concrete. However, despite the lack of amenities that other parts of the park offer, I had access to something much more valuable. Matt is a quiet person, but something about a Cardinals game would always get him talking. We'd get to hear all of the latest classes in engineering and military strategy mixed with physical fitness and parachute training. Matt never complained once, even though he knew how much easier and more carefree our college experiences were.

Now, I look forward to another summer of Cardinals baseball with Matt this year as he continues to serve our country in the Air Force. He graduated from the academy after serving as a leader to younger cadets in his final years. Matt is now moving on to the next stages of his training and it might be a while before he has time for much Cardinals baseball. That will just make this summer of standing room only games that much more special for me.

To Matt and to all those that serve so humbly like him, I want to offer a sincere thank you from Cardinals fans everywhere. We can never repay you for the sacrifices you make for the good of our country and our children, but hopefully tonight's game can bring you some joy today. If you ever find yourself in St. Louis and want to go to a Cardinals game, just let me know. We'll go wait in line for some 550 tickets one morning, grab a late breakfast, and share some Cardinals baseball.