This is the story of an ear to ear smile. This is a story about setting your sites on a goal no matter how improbable success seems. This is the story of two boys at a baseball game.

 

A friend has season tickets 5 rows from the field right next to the Giants dugout. He only has three seats so Eve was left out when we saw the A's play the Giants last Friday night. Since it was just boys, and we were so close, we decided to try to see batting practice.  Unfortunately the home team finishes batting practice about 5 minutes after the gates open to the general public.

 

We walked quickly just in time to see the Giants jogging into the clubhouse. One Giant remained behind to sign a few autographs.  We brought a couple of Little League balls with us and a Sharpie for each boy.  The Giant, Michael Tucker, signed both boys' balls and we considered the adventure a success as the A's began to take the field.

 

I decided it was time to stuff my face with fattening junk food.  Scottie was with me all the way, but Kevin slithered his way ahead of the taller people leaning over the edge of the dugout. He wanted no food. He was waiting for more autographs. I told him that there would be no action because all the players would be in the clubhouse for the next hour.

 

Kevin didn't care. He waited patiently. He passed up an opportunity for food and seemed to just enjoy his proximity to the Giant dugout.  As the local TV news crews all did stand ups a few feet from Kevin, Scott and I munched our Garlic Fries, Hot Pretzel, Cheese Pizza and Bratworst with onions and peppers.

 

With 45 minutes to go before game time we saw Barry Bonds emerge from the dugout and start talking to a reporter. This was pretty amazing on many levels. After three knee surgeries since last season we haven't seen much of Barry at the ball park.  He looked cheerful, walked with a noticeable limp and was clearly the story of the day.

 

Barry is not one to sign autographs (except those for sale on his web site) but Kevin waited patiently exhibiting his best "cute kid" look and clutching his Michael Tucker autographed ball and Sharpie.  Kevin was surrounded by greasy adults who had bags of balls and seemed to make autograph hunting a profession. One of these people kept shouting, "Barry come sign an autograph." Kevin hoped as hard as he could.

 

A few minutes later a cheerful Barry walked right to Kevin and reached for his ball. Kevin handed him the ball and watched in silence unable to muster enough courage to say anything. Kevin emerged with a signed Barry Bonds ball. He actually emerged with a San Carlos Little League ball which is where Barry got his start. Kevin's face was stretched with the biggest grin I have ever seen. This was certainly one of those life moments when Kevin had an intimate moment with his baseball hero. I hope he remembers it for some time. 

 

Not to be outdone Scottie rushed over and somehow managed to get to the front of the fast growing pack of autograph hounds.  Barry only signed a few autographs on Friday--just long enough to be photographed for the following day's sports page.

 

Miraculously Scottie emerged with a signed ball as well. As he emerged he shouted back to us, "How do I erase Michael Tucker's signature?" to the laughs of everyone around.

 

Regards,