Thursday, March 13, 2008

Gary: Our Hero


At the game on Wednesday we sat next to a very nice and enjoyable family from Jerseyville, Illinois. Their son, Gary, was probably 10 to 12 and was keeping us entertained. He plays catcher and was telling Nik and Ang about his team. He had a couple of gloves there at the game, and Nik and Ang asked him if he would keep us all safe from foul balls if they came our way. He said "Sure, no problem, I only charge $10 per hour." He was just a great kid, totally into baseball, completely respectful of the game, players, his parents, fellow fans... I think we all have crushes.

When a ball came in our general direction Nik teased him about not catching the ball and protecting us, to which he responded "Of course I did, I so used "The Force" to move the ball several rows back". Later in the game a ball came right our way... really fast. Gary was watching another part of the field and didn't see it in time to get his glove up, and wouldn't you know it he got hit right on top of the head... OUCH! Turns out he was fine, just a big old knot on his head, but he was super brave... it had to hurt really bad but he didn't cry... just a few tears. I would have been screaming like a baby if it was me. The ushers and EMT's responded quickly and checked him out and gave him a few ice packs to keep under his hat.

We did our best to cheer him up, he was a little embarrassed he didn't catch the ball (but he just didn't see it in time). We told him and his family about the blog and asked if we could take a picture with him (it will follow, when I get home and get the blogger picture poting issue resolved). We gave them the blog address. When his mom took our picture she said "Oh Gary, forget all those autographs... this is the souvenir you will be showing everyone when you get home!"

The guys on the team did their part to take care of Gary too. Josh Kinney turned around and said "Hey, don't worry about it kid... I totally would have cried!" Murphy (the bullpen catcher) said he sees professional baseball players miss balls all the time, and get this when Gary's dad said that Gary was embarrassed more than anything because of all things Gary is a catcher Murphy offered to take Gary's glove overnight and have Yadier Molina sign it for him and bring it back the next day.

Today we caught up to Gary and his family after the game. Evidently Gary was a little disappointed that we didn't sit on the berm. He showed us his glove with Yadi's autograph, and also Rick Ankiels... we are so jealous. His mom said that she had checked out the blog already... and asked us about the "puppies". We felt compelled to tell them that we really do love baseball and are very knowledgeable, it is just the "puppies" are an added benefit... to which Gary's dad responded "So you are saying you enjoy the finer "ass"ets of the game...so to speak?

Anyway, Kudos to Gary and family. They were awesome.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gary's Dad gets the John joke of the day award, I believe.

Sounds like a good guy.

JT

Anonymous said...

Gary's Dad gets the John joke of the day award, I believe.

Sounds like a good guy.

JT