The stadium, built in the 1980s was never crowded. But the numerous handicap parking spaces filled up quickly especially when there were popular teams playing on the field. Most of these handicapped spaces were filled with non-wheelchair vehicles.
For years, my wife and I had written letters to urge that more handicapped spaces designed for van parking be provided. Because more space was required to allow for the lift and for the wheelchair to be maneuvered off and on the van, these larger spaces were required to accommodate wheelchair fans. Many parking spaces were filled with what my wife so eloquently put it: cellulite problems. Their doctor had issued them a handicapped parking permit, and they used most of the spaces designated for handicapped parking. 
Nevertheless, I persevered and went to the games on occasion. After the team was sold to John Henry in 2000, I went a couple of times. I wasn’t able to drive any more, so my therapist Paul Polanski drove me. The St. Louis Cardinals, with their great home run slugger, Mark McGuire, would be playing at the Space Coast Stadium. I thought this would be a great time to go. My therapist agreed to drive me, although we knew it would be crowded.
That morning there was a story in the Florida Today newspaper about John Henry, and it included his photo.
I had convinced Paul that there was no need to purchase tickets ahead of time. This ability was because I could sit anywhere and he could sit next to me in either one of the seats provided or in a lawn chair that we would bring with us.
We went to the stadium and, sure enough, it was crowded. Traffic was a mess, and parking was a nightmare. So, I asked Paul to drop me off at the outside ticket booth. I would purchase the tickets while he found a parking space.
It was a beautiful day, and we were both anticipating an exciting game. The ticket booth was not very crowded because the game was sold out. I wheeled up to the window and asked the ticket woman if I could purchase a wheelchair seat. She told me that would not be a problem. I then asked for a seat for Paul, and she said, “The game is sold out”.
I said that shouldn’t make any difference because there would be room next to the wheelchair for us to place the lawn chair we had brought with us. She replied, “Oh, no, we are all sold out”.
I felt frustrated and told her it was ridiculous. Paul, feeling it was futile trying to reason with her, said, “Hank, let’s just leave”.
I said to Paul, “This situation isn’t right. Just let me wheel over to the area away from the booth and say a little prayer and something will happen”.
So I wheeled away from the booth and put my head down. Paul started walking away as I began my little prayer. Suddenly, a hand was on my shoulder, and as I looked up, I saw a slight and bespectacled man whom I immediately recognized from the morning’s paper.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
I replied, “Oh my goodness, I know who you are”.
“That’s right, I’m John Henry, and I own this ball club and this stadium, so what can I do for you?”
I then told him what had happened, that we weren’t able to purchase a seat for my friend, about the parking situation and explained how disappointed we were that we would have to leave.
He said, “No one should be denied going to a baseball game”.
He snapped his fingers, and five people appeared. He told them to get me a special parking permit. He instructed a man to wheel me into the stadium. I was parked right behind home plate, and there was a seat available for Paul. We had a wonderful view,saw a great game, and had a great time; hot dogs were brought to us; and we both were treated as if we were VIPs.
Last October, many years later, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series for their fans, for themselves and for their owner, John Henry. I thought of that special day at the Space Coast Stadium. Good deeds, which most of us believe are their own reward, sometimes earn a bonus reward. I believe John Henry’s success with the Red Sox was a repayment for his “good deed” to us.
THE END
Epilogue
My wife’s daughter-in-law, Debbie Sawyer in Greene, Maine might have helped. When the Sox were down 3-0 to the Yanks, she went in the closet and retrieved her antique nun doll she called “Sister Mary Catherine”. Debbie thought the religious figure would bring the Sox much needed luck. So, she put it on the TV for the 4th game.
The rest is history!!
Peter Kerosotis of Florida Today newspaper wrote “Other teams considered and perhaps even coveted this (Space Coast Stadium) area. A couple of years ago, I asked Boston owner John Henry why he doesn't just move the Red Sox here from their lesser facility in Fort Myers? After all, he still owns the complex here. This is what Henry said: "I love that facility. But there's so many New Englanders who have moved to Fort Myers and retired there because of the Red Sox that I wouldn't feel right taking the team away from them."
Otherwise, we might've had the Red Sox.
Thanks to Wilk
www.hankbrandli.com
