Treasure The Memory

[Mark]

When I was ten, my family took me to Forbes Field pretty often. One night, during a pregame round of pepper, Jerry May popped a ball into the stands down the rightfield line. I got the ball and started getting some Pirates autographs. I talked to the bullpen guys, who signed it. One of them took it into the clubhouse and brought it back with a few more. After the game, I waited outside the clubhouse and picked up Willie Stargell's, Bob Veale's, Gene Alley's, Maury Wills' signitures, along with a few others. They all left the top panel empty, so when Roberto came out, he placed a magnificent signiture there in dark black ink. The autographs are still in great shape, and the ball reminds me of a wonderful night in that immense, historical ball park with my dad and mom. There were many other great days at Forbes, and I have autographed programs and baseballs that remind me of them. But that first autographed ball was the most exciting, and I still think it's great.