One of my favorite moments growing up was the pomp of Little League opening day, when we would ring the diamond at South School in Andover, get introduced to the crowd, and later enjoy a postgame hamburger that Mr. Curtin, the local McDonald’s owner, would cook at a field-side griddle.

In those days, it was OK to be on the Yankees, especially when your dad was coach and your teammates included your older brother, Gary, and friends like Bobby Heidt, Glenn McIntyre, and Chris Doherty.