June 1, 1998
This week's editorial was written by
GVL Regular Dave from Left Field
Celestina's Big Day
This May our own Celestina from Houston was honored by the Houston Astros for attending her
500th straight home game. A feat that took her over five years to accomplish. Her day started about
10 AM with a private throwing clinic hosted by C.J. Nitkowski and Ramon Garcia, showing her the
finer points of pitching off the mound. While on the field she met and recieved autographs from some
of the Atlanta Braves players. Among those she met were, Andres Galarraga,Chipper Jones and
Greg Maddux. She also stood in a group picture with Bobby Cox, Keith Lockart, Eddie Perez,
Dennis Martinez, Leo Mazzone, Maddux and Galarraga.
Afterwards Celestina was invited into the Astros clubhouse where she got to play a game of pinball,
meet Larry Dierker, Craig Biggio and Bill Spiers. 12 noon found Celestina up in her Dads private
box for a little reception with family and friends. But game time was fast approaching. At 1:15 she
was back out on the field for her big moment. Standing with the likes of Cesar Cedeno and Don
Sutton the ceremony began. The P. A. anouncer told the crowd of Celestina's accomplishments as
old home movies of her taken at the ballpark flickered on the diamond vision screen. Team owner
Drayton McLane and GM Gerry Hunsicker then presented Celestina with a Tiffany crystal home
plate with the Astros logo and her name with the number 500 etched on it. Also she recieved An
Astros jersey with her name on the back and a road trip package to see her team in the city of her
choice. Then the big moment came. Taking the mound like a grizzled veteran, Celestina fired a strike
to the old time catcher Alan Ashby! What a great day. Something she will remember for the rest of
her life.