Cooperstown Fun

[Archive]

Posted By: Jason L

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.
1) I got to meet Willie McCovey
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...
[IMG][/IMG]

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:
Ozzie: How old are you?
Ethan: Five
Ozzie: Do you play?
Ethan: I play T-Ball
Ozzie: What position do you play
Ethan: Second base and shortstop
Ozzie: What's your favorite?
Ethan: First Base!
Ozzie: (with a jokingly disgusted look) First?!?!?!
Dad: Don't worry, I still have time to work on this guy...
every one laughed, he shook our hands and posed for this picture. Did he impress the Dad too? yeah, but only a little
[IMG][/IMG]

[Archive]

Posted By: Ken McMillan

Jason,

great pick from Cooperstown. Being a Cub fan, your next stop should be fantasy camp. It is the best time you could ever have.

Ken

[Archive]

Posted By: MVSNYC

jason- very cool, thanks for sharing.

i don't have to tell you how special cooperstown is...

my dad & i try to make a pilgramage up there about once a year...it is magical, great father-son bonding.

p.s. i saw the speeches today, very long, BUT well done, IMO.


MS

[Archive]

Posted By: Paul S

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.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jason L

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.

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.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan Bretta

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.

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

Great story and great pics....a lifetime of memories...can't ask for more than that.....thanks for sharing....