Like many young sports fans, Frank Mancuso dreamed of playing for his favorite team, the New York Yankees.

The Auburn native never made a major league roster, but recently, he did get a chance to put on the pinstripes and take the field with some Yankees.

Last month, Mancuso took part in a Yankees Fantasy Camp, spending a full week at George Steinbrenner Field, formerly Legends Field, in Tampa, Fla.

The camp wasn't cheap, but the experiences were priceless for the lifelong Yankees fan.

“I got to live the dream of being a Yankee,” Mancuso said.

The week started off with a Monday night dinner, allowing the 100 campers to meet each other. They also got to meet some Yankee legends, including Mancuso's favorite, Bucky Dent.

“He was my hero,” Mancuso said.

Ron Blomberg, Chris Chambliss, Mickey Rivers, Jessie Barfield and more recent Yankees like Homer Bush and Tino Martinez were also in attendance.

“I would still be talking to Tino if he didn't have to leave,” Mancuso said. “They were all so personable.”

The next morning, Mancuso and other campers were assigned to teams. They played two games a day and on Saturday got the opportunity to play the Legends Team.

“My adrenaline was so high that week,” Mancuso said. “I didn't feel any pain until after that final game, Saturday.”

Mancuso, who was a catcher while playing semi-professional baseball, enjoyed his time behind the plate during the camp.

“I get to say I stepped in the same spot as Joe Girardi and Jorge Posada,” he said.

Mancuso came up big in a win against the Legends. With former Yankee Mike Torrez on the mound, Mancuso delivered a go-ahead double that proved to be the game-winner.

“All I'm thinking is don't strike out because there were fans in the stands too,” he said.

Mancuso ended the game as well, tagging out Rivers at home plate to seal the 4-1 victory.

“I will never forget that,” he said. “We're watching film of the week at the post ceremony and I see myself wearing a Yankee jersey and playing in a game.”

Mancuso has been to numerous Yankees games each season. He was even in attendance at the All-Star Game this summer.

His favorite Yankee of all-time, Bobby Murcer, was supposed to be at the camp, but passed away in July.

“I had met Murcer three times before,” Mancuso said. “So the last time I saw him I asked if he remembered me and he said he did. He signed a baseball for me and wrote ‘to my No. 1 fan.'”

Mancuso has his own Yankees room in his house. He has more 90 autographed baseballs, a seat from the original Yankee Stadium and every ticket stub from games he has attended.

With all of the memories of the camp and the baseball legends he got to play with, Mancuso considered this experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I had so much fun,” he said. “I want to treasure these memories forever.”