MLB 2022: The Long and Winding Thread

That was cool.

 

BTW, Jeter once again did things right. That guy never missed a chance to be a great ambassador of the game.

 

Only ball I ever got was from John Wetteland during the '96 season. I was in the bleachers at Fenway during a game when he warmed up, but didn't pitch (Yanks won something like 6-2 and stranded a runner or two in the 9th). After the last out, I was shouting for an autograph with a Sharpie in one hand and my Yankees cap in the other. He looked up to the stands and saw me, among a throng of Red Sox fans, wearing my jersey and holding my cap. He pointed to me, and then threw his warm-up ball up to me. The Sox fans around me surged, but I somehow caught it in my left hand (which was still holding the Sharpie). I pumped my fist, pointed at him, and he pointed back and mouthed, "Thank you."

I was 18 at the time and hell if I was going to give that ball to some kid. If the same situation happened today with Chapman warming up, I would not give the ball to a kid with a "B" on his cap. A home run ball (or a foul ball if I were in those seats) I would definitely give to the nearest kid (especially if it was one of my own). But that particular situation where a player intended to give me a ball? I'm taking it.

 

What's the random kid you don't know going to do with it? Is their treasured memory more important than mine?

 

You’re right, take it from them and then tell them Santa isn’t really as well.

 

I looked it up. Yes, he had TJ surgery when he was 28 years old in 2014.

 

I go up to random kids and do that. It’s fun.

 

Padres outfielder needs to play one game at Yankee Stadium.

 

If Mike Matheny isn’t the first manager fired this year, I’ll be very surprised.

 

Wait a minute. Santa isn’t real?

What’s next? Are you going to tell me the Undertaker isn’t really a dead zombie and is some middle-aged Texan named Mark?

 

Let’s see: You got a ball from Wetteland, who’s been accused of child abuse (granted, unless you could see in the future, you wouldn’t have known that).

You’d be willing to take a ball from Chapman, who was suspended for domestic violence.

Why not hit the trifecta and ask Chad Curtis for a souvenir from the prison yard?

 

"These stories are heartwarming. Really. I'm weepy."