O/T Hanging in the dugout for Red Sox BP

[scooter729]

My 6-year old son Xander had the unique opportunity to hang out in the Red Sox dugout a couple of days ago, during the team's batting practice. It was a cold 45 degree day, with some showers in the area. My fears were that BP would be cancelled, and I'd have a disappointed 6-year old with me.

We weren't sure exactly what to expect - maybe a few players would stop and sign a quick autograph while scrambling back to the clubhouse. But as we took our position, we were amazed how the afternoon went.

It was basically us, plus a couple of Red Sox staffers. First player to come by was Matt Barnes, a relief pitcher. He stopped and was signing my son's ball. But as he was signing, Mookie Betts came walking by. I asked Mookie if he would sign it as well; he stopped and chatted with my son while waiting for Barnes to finish signing the ball. Mookie signed and posed for a picture.

Over the next hour, we couldn't have asked for more - Xander (my son's favorite because of the name), Pedroia, JD Martinez, etc. - all were super kind to my diehard 6-year old. (JD Martinez even pretended to ignore us, walked right by us quickly, then turned back and said, "Just kidding, guys, how are you!?" and talked to us for a few minutes.) Many stopped and talked with him, asked him if he plays baseball, etc. None of this was about money or greed or any of the other negative things said about players today - this was about them just taking a minute or two from their day, to give a kid the thrill of his young life.

Never has a 45 degree rainy day at the ballpark been so awesome as this one! Needed to share the story and some pics.

[HRBAKER]

What an awesome experience!

[Republicaninmass]

The 6 years old IN me couldnt be happier.


Thanks for sharing

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The 6 years old IN me couldnt be happier.


Thanks for sharing

Ted, I was pretty giddy myself as a 45 year old! The only player I think I met as a 6 year old was Bob Stanley at a Burlington Mall appearance - I can just imagine what was going through his head!

[7nohitter]

That is so cool...a great experience and memory for both of you!

[AGuinness]

Thanks for sharing, that is one incredible experience!!


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[Dboneesq]

Thanks for sharing. So nice to hear about the good things that professional athletes do. I'm sure that experience will stay with your son his entire life.

[Nunzio11]

Growing up in NY and now living in Maryland, as a baseball fan I have absolutely hated the Red Sox my entire life...your story and pictures have eased that hatred a little bit today. Thanks for sharing. What an experience for you and especially Xander.

[clydepepper]

Great Scott! Thanks for sharing.

Your experience is a good example of how aware today's players are (most of them, anyway) of how important it is for them to connect with younger generations.



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[frankbmd]

If I had only had an iPhone to have myself photographed getting Casey Stengel's autograph when I was 9.

[scooter729]

Thanks to everyone for chiming in - I'm happy to be able to share this story and hopefully spread a positive experience to you all!

One other photo I want to share, which really to me captures the importance of baseball, possibly even more than the ones above. And it wasn't even with a Red Sox player.

As the Sox BP was ending, my son wanted to watch the Rockies take some BP. So he went to the edge of the area where he was allowed to watch, and just started watching a bunch of players hit. He had no idea who the Rockies players were, but he just loved watching these giant players hit the ball so far.

Rockies' 1B Daniel Murphy was fielding grounders and saw this, and walked over to talk to Xander. Xander was decked in Sox gear, so he obviously wasn't there to cheer for Colorado, but Murphy wanted to talk to this kid who (literally and figuratively) was looking up to him.

Murphy came over, gave Xander a baseball, and had a conversation about baseball with him. Xander is normally a quiet kid and shy around people he doesn't know, but something about this damn game of baseball turned him into a chatterbox around these players.

I have a posed picture of Xander with Murphy, but prefer this one much better, from a distance - little kid looking up in awe at a real live baseball player, who is spending some time with him.

I think I'm sounding like Terrance Mann here, but it's just something about this damn game of baseball that does it for me. Daniel Murphy of the Rockies - you have two new fans, sir.