Phun Week: I Met A Ballplayer
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, February 04, 2008 11:10 AM | Comments: 2
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A preview of the 2008 Phillies will come shortly, but I’d like to continue on with Phun Week, which was derailed by the Santana/Feliz moves and the Super Bowl.
“I met a ballplayer.”
It’s one of the coolest moments in a person’s life — you’re at the stadium and you get to shake hands or get an autograph from a real baseball player. Sometimes, though, you go to an event and meet a player, or you see one at a restaurant or store. Yes, we celebrate the ballplayer maybe a bit too much, but why not? They get to play baseball for a living.
I’ve met a few players in my life, but no meeting was better than when I spoke with Ozzie Smith. Long regarded as one of the good guys in baseball, the Hall of Fame shortstop came off as such when I met him.
It was the Philadelphia Sportswriters dinner, one of the city’s best traditions — and an event I attended three or four times in my preteen years. After getting quick glimpses of Eric Lindros, Scott Rolen and Co., my family and I sat down and enjoyed a night of ribbing, storytelling and good food.
At the end of the event, writers, guests and attendees were allowed to mingle a bit with the honored guests. Oz was on stage, and I was primed for an autograph. I came up and held out my program and a marker.
He asked for my name.
“Tim.”
“Well nice to meet you, Tim.”
“Hey Ozzie, could you show me how you do those backflips you do all the time?”
Ozzie laughs. “Oh I’m too old for that now, kid.”
Everyone laughed and he smiled. And that was it. Just a quick moment where he shared a joke with me. At about 13, that was a cool opportunity. Smith retired the year before, and he was receiving an achievement award for his career. He deserved it.
Have you met a baseball player? What was it like?
Posts: 551 Brian Michael
When I was about 6, I went to a Phillies game at the Vet on Photo Night. – people were welcomed onto the field and players mingled and took pictures. I remember I got my picture snapped with a few players, including Milt Thompson. The next day, my dad took me to a baseball card show where Milt was signing autographs. After waiting in line, I finally stepped up – my 1987 Topps in hand – and Milt looked at me and said, “Hey, I remember you from the game last night.” Imagine my surprise as a little kid, that an actual baseball player knew who I was! I was floored. That moment of sheer astonishment still lives with me today.
Posted: 01:48 PM on February 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Rich Baxter
In the late seventies and early eighties when I was a kid I lived in Absecon, New Jersey which is right outside of Atlantic City. One summer they had a benefit softball game there and there was a special guest in attendance.
The special invitee was Willie Mays, at the time he was working for Ballys Park Place casino as a special VIP representative and I was lucky enough somehow to be sitting right next to him on the bleachers for the game. I remember looking over at his really nice world series ring. I did not even ask him for an autograph, I was in awe of the great player he was though, and I was lucky enough to be sitting right next to him as we watched the game.
Willie Mays was in Atlantic City a lot during the early eighties with many appearances- we were lucky here in South Jersey to have the opportunity to meet and talk with him.
Posted: 03:21 PM on February 4, 2008