I was born in Columbus and family moved to LA when I was 5...my father was in the clothing business and he became very friendly with Tommy when he was a 3rd base coach for Walt Alston. Went to the game and after my dad takes me down to the Dodger locker room where we are outside of course and Tommy comes out with Steve Garvey and Ron Cey to meet me....what a thrill because both gave me bats and signed pics, etc...I was amazed on the size of Garvey's forearms.
Fast forward and Tommy is now the manager and one day I am at home and my dad calls me from work, has me on the speaker phone. My father says he has someone here that wants to talk to me. Of course it is Tommy and he asks who is my favorite team...I am about 11 and tell him "Cincinnati Reds", he asks what can he do to convert me to the Dodgers. I told him that getting me an autograph ball of Johnny Bench would be a good start....about a month later went to the game and that day it was Dodger family day. I get invited down into the dugout with all the other families as they played a 1 inning game for fun. While there, Tommy comes up to me and behind his back he pulls out that autograph ball personalized to me from Johnny Bench.
So many other great memories of going to the World Series and sitting with his family...
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