Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>Okay, so I got back today...Cooperstown was fairly disappointing this year, as I am really not good with crowds, and this was the biggest that the town has ever seen, apparently. BUT, there were a few bright spots, so I thought I would share.<br />1) I got to meet Willie McCovey<br />2) I was able to meet up with a couple of high school friends of mine, (What, and I Don't Know, pictured below)...We actually had to stay like this for a few minutes as several strangers took advantage of the photo opp...<br />[IMG]<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/smallcapdaddy/WhoWhatIDontKnow7-28-07.jpg">[/IMG]<br /><br />3) I had Ozzie Smith sign a personalized photo to my son. Let me tell you, if you ever want to impress your child with what a sports-star SHOULD be to the public, pay to get some autograph time with Ozzie Smith! Ozzie signed the photo, but then started a conversation with my 5 year old son, including the following: <br />Ozzie: How old are you?<br />Ethan: Five<br />Ozzie: Do you play?<br />Ethan: I play T-Ball<br />Ozzie: What position do you play<br />Ethan: Second base and shortstop<br />Ozzie: What's your favorite?<br />Ethan: First Base!<br />Ozzie: (with a jokingly disgusted look) First?!?!?!<br />Dad: Don't worry, I still have time to work on this guy...<br />every one laughed, he shook our hands and posed for this picture. Did he impress the Dad too? yeah, but only a little <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br />[IMG]<img src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/smallcapdaddy/WithOzzieSmithJuly28-07.jpg">[/IMG]<br /><br /><br />

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>Ken McMillan</b><p>Jason, <br /><br />great pick from Cooperstown. Being a Cub fan, your next stop should be fantasy camp. It is the best time you could ever have.<br /><br />Ken

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>jason- very cool, thanks for sharing.<br /><br />i don't have to tell you how special cooperstown is...<br /><br />my dad & i try to make a pilgramage up there about once a year...it is magical, great father-son bonding.<br /><br />p.s. i saw the speeches today, very long, BUT well done, IMO.<br /><br /><br />MS

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>Jason -- Yours is always one of my favorite kind of "stories" to hear. I still remember my own similar stories from when I was a kid, have never forgotten them. I'm sure your son won't either. The "special" people who always took that little bit of extra time out always stick.

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>you ever watch how a somewhat shy 5-year old talks to a stranger? It takes a few moments to coax the answers out of him sometimes...but Ozzie waited for each one. I was actually getting nervous about taking too much time with the line behind us...but you know what? My son and I waited for over an hour to get there, and that's exactly why...Ozzie took the time.<br /><br />It is refreshing, it is admirable, and it is every bit "the Dream" -ever moreso in a day when the other top sports stories that I have to share with my son include steroids and animal abuse...-I can't even figure out how I would begin to explain those things to the little guy. But he "got" Ozzie right away.<br />

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Great story and pics Jason...I met Ozzie at a card show in Lincoln, NE in 1987 and he took time out to chat with me and I too felt like I was holding up the line, but he sat there and talked with me for what seemed like forever.

Cooperstown Fun
 

Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Great story and great pics....a lifetime of memories...can't ask for more than that.....thanks for sharing....