Hit 'Em My Way

Cooperstown

2006-08-30T02:44:34Z

This past summer, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum brought our family to Cooperstown to talk about our experience. Any baseball fan who has never been to Cooperstown should definitely plan a visit. It is anything and everything baseball, from many years before Babe Ruth to the present. Even though the majority of the HOF collection is not on display ,the vast collection of items on display was amazing. From the Grandstand Theater to the Hall of Fame Gallery, you see the entire history of baseball.

The HOF invited me to participate in a "Sandlot Stories" program to talk about my experience. The balls I caught and donated to the HOF are currently on display in the Autumn Glory section.

Many people have asked what I received for donating the baseballs. I never asked for anything, I just thought the HOF was their rightful place for the baseballs. The Astros brought us out to a team workout during last year's NLCS. We met Roger Clemens and he signed my jersey and Tyler's jersey and cap. The Astros gave us tickets to Game 3 vs. the Cardinals and autographed clubhouse jerseys from Lance Berkman and Chris Burke. Much thanks to Todd Fedewa for the great experience.

The Hall of Fame gave us lifetime passes and World Series tickets. They also flew us to Cooperstown and put us up at the luxurious Otesaga Resort. In addition to the regular HOF tour, which is neat in itself, we also got a behind the scenes tour. We saw some pretty cool stuff, some of which is posted in my Hall of Fame photo album, as well as other pics from our trip.

Much thanks to Jeff Idelson and the HOF staff for making our trip to Cooperstown an experience our family will never forget. This was the formal conclusion to this great baseball experience, although people still ask me about the catches.

HOF Shoes

2006-08-30T01:53:00Z

From left, Mark McGuire's shoe, Willie Mays' shoes, and Babe Ruth's shoes

Home Run Bats

2006-08-30T01:52:58Z

Tyler holding a Barry Bonds bat, I am holding Hank Aaron's 3,000th hit bat

Black Sox Bat

2006-08-30T01:49:52Z

Shoeless Joe Jackson's bat...heavier than the other bats

HOF Bats

2006-08-30T01:49:50Z

Ray is holding a Ted Williams bat and I am holding a Babe Ruth bat

Rocket jersey

2006-08-30T01:49:49Z

Roger Clemens' Yankees jersey from the 2001 World Series

Ryan Jersey

2006-08-30T01:49:47Z

Ray, Tyler, and I with an Astros Rainbow jersey

1936 HOF Class

2006-08-30T01:49:46Z

Brandi, Tyler, and I with the first class of HOF'ers Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson

HOF Program

2006-08-30T01:49:44Z

Ray, Tyler, Gayle, Brandi, and I after the HOF program about my experience

HOF Program 2

2006-08-30T01:49:42Z

Pic from the HOF program "Sandlot Stories" about my experience

Astros fan

2006-08-30T01:49:41Z

Signing 2005 Astros DVD for Brad Horn, Houston native and HOF staff

HOF Display

2006-08-30T01:49:39Z

Picture of the balls and family photo in the Autumn Glory section of the HOF

HOF Display 2

2006-08-30T01:49:37Z

Picture of the balls on display at the HOF

WORLD SERIES BOUND

2005-10-21T11:34:27Z

The Astros are headed to the World Series!!!

The 'Stros strong performance in NLCS Game 6 wipes out all memories of NLCS Game 5, which was an awesome game to go to. I was sitting in the 3rd deck, 2nd row behind home plate. Minute Maid Park was buzzing with excitement until Albert Pujols hit a home run that probably would have landed in Conroe.

Congratulations to the Astros for coming back and winning Game 6 of the NLCS. The whole city is buzzing with Astro-mania. It is great for the fans and the team, especially Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

The Astros will come into this strong. We will only have two days rest, whereas the White Sox have been off for a week. The rotation is setup perfect having Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte starting in Chicago and then having Roy Oswalt and presumably Brandon Backe in games 3 and 4. This is all setup to have Roy Oswalt, the best pitcher in the NL the last two year setup to go in Game 7, if necessary. I don't think it will go that far. I think the Astros will win in 5 or 6.

It would be awesome to close it out at home after NLCS Game 5.

GO ASTROS!!!

Garner: Manager of the Year

2005-10-17T17:16:43Z

ASTROS WIN!!! ASTROS LEAD 3-1!!!

Phil Garner has got to be the Manager of the Year. He seems to be making all the right calls. Whether it is switching Burke for Taveras or Burke for Lamb, his selections are paying off big time. Also using Bruntlett late for defense and Taveras too (see catch on Tal’s Hill last night).

I am a little concerned about the umpiring tonight. Tony LaRussa has been around the game a long time and his actions last night were meant to prove a point; although with the probable Cy Young award winner Carpenter going tonight, he may not need much help. Garner did well getting his two cents in with the umpiring crew.

Nonetheless, I will be there tonight and will see the ‘Stros win big and go to their first World Series in franchise history. Andy Pettitte will pitch a solid game and will beat Chris Carpenter.

GO ASTROS!!!