Act of Kindness from a Hall of Famer

[barrysloate]

Frank B. started a thread about jerks in the Hall of fame, and there certainly is no shortage of them. Thought I would start a new thread about good deeds involving HOFers. I'll start with one I've told before, but many probably didn't see it. Please feel free to add one of your own.

Around 1966 my friend Steven and I went to Shea Stadium to see the Mets play the Houston Astros. Steven was a diehard Astros fan, and somehow he got us seats in the first row a little behind first base. I guess he had a connection.

During the game we were buying lots of food and Steven was putting the change in the top pocket of his shirt. At some point he leaned too far forward, and all the change came pouring out and rolled in different directions. He leaned forward to retrieve it but nearly all of it was out of reach.

The Astros were at bat at the time, and Nellie Fox was coaching first base. Somehow he must have seen this happen, because when the inning ended he jogged towards us, got on his hands and knees, gathered every last coin and handed them to Steven. We were both in awe that he would have taken the time and made the effort to help us. I will always remember the kindness he showed to two kids that day. And I remember how thrilled I was when he was finally elected to the Hall.