Remember that Carly Simon song from the 70's that worked its way to Heinz Ketchup commercials? The ketchup slowly oozed out of the bottle, keeping us from enjoying the gustatorial delights of our burgers and fries until, well, the "anticipation" was aleviated by a saucy blanket of that red pasty staple Americans seem to love so much.

Well, I cannot claim to be a huge fan of ketchup, but, I do find myself thinking about the Carly Simon song when things I look forward to are at hand.

Traveling to New York for Tout Wars is one. Knowing my girlfriend Diane is in the air, on her way to the bay area is another.  Playing live sets with my bands, and especially music camp in the California Redwoods each summer, are all high on the list.

The first time I was in New York, in 2002, I remember Pavlovian sensations as I rode a bus from Newark through the Holland Tunnel, my first time in the city. I was just transfixed by the Manhattan skyline, and all the energy I anticipated in the city.

Later that year, Cathy and I traveled to Boston and met a bunch of friends and, as part of the trip, sojunred to Fenway Park. As we rode the subway, and the park came into view, I was glued to the window just as I was the view of the Big Apple.

It was indeed a wonderful experience watching the game I love, with friends--in fact it was an interleague game against the Braves: their first appearance in Boston since they fled to Milwaukee and then Atlanta.

But, it was also wonderful knowing all the great players who had appeared there, and all the memorable moments in baseball history Fenway and its minions had witnessed.

A year later I was supposed to go to Wrigley Field with the same group of friends, but a kidney infection put that visit on hold (but, I get a return chance this summer!).

So, when my pal Trace Wood, who bowed out of Tout this year after winning twice said, "Dude, we need to go to Yankee Stadium before it closes," I knew he was right.

So, Trace and his family, and Diane and I made plans to travel to  New York for a long weekend to see the House that Ruth Built.

And, well, here we are. Later this afternoon, the five of us will take the subway and indeed witness a game. We get to see monument park, and though the Yanks are playing the Royals--not exactly high flying competition--it is Yankee Stadium.

Where Ruth and Dimaggio and Gehrig prowled. And Miller Huggins and Casey Stengel outfoxed the world season after season. Where The Mick and Whitey Ford and Roger Maris, the stars of my childhood made their mark. Even later, when Reggie and Catfish Hunter, ex-patriot Athletics, made a huge mark.

There is something about the wondrous history of baseball that does indeed bind us junkies, and a large part of it is simply being in the presence of greatness, be it present, or past.

That is why it is so singular to view the Mona Lisa, or see the Eiffel Tower, for example. Or, even the Statue of Liberty.

Or, in this case, The House that Ruth Built. At least for me.

Anticipation at its best!