I brought my Rawlings Pro12TC (same glove that Ozzie used when he played in the majors). A glove I was preparing to be my next gamer that I had almost fully broken in. Before we turned double-plays with the Hall of Famers, we gathered in small groups to talk with each of the players. Right away I noticed Ozzie eying my glove. "Looks like you have a pretty nice glove there" as he reached for it. I handed it to him and asked why he didn't have his PRO12TC with him (he had a black b-hive glove, not sure of the make).
He didn't answer (he seemed rather pre-occupied with my glove, almost like he was reminicing about his glove).... Then he put my glove on his hand!! I said "I gotta get a picture of Ozzie Smith with his hand in MY glove!" With no hesitation he graciously posed for a picture.
I told him that I was superstitious and never let anyone put their hand in my glove. But in this case, I was happy to make an exception and I hoped it would give me some extra "mojo" when I used it.
While on the topic of superstition, I asked about the story that Bob Clevenhagen me- about how he put one of the Gold Glove patched on Ozzie's glove one year after he won a Gold Glove. Then in spring training after Ozzie had booted a few ground balls, he made Bob immediately remove the patch.
Ozzie laughed and said it happened exactly that way, "I couldn't catch anything with that glove" he said. I told him Bob didn't want me to bring up the part about where he booted the ball (sorry Bob), but Ozzie wasn't offended and had a good laugh remembering that story.
I also asked why he chose the PRO12TC, when most short-stops don't use anything longer than an 11.5" glove. He said it was because he just felt comfortable with that glove. He also believed the extra length gave him an edge, but that the pocket was still shallow enough that he could get the ball out quickly.
We asked many more questions and Ozzie answered them all. He was as warm, gracious and funny a person as I've ever met. In my line of work, I meet a lot of famous people and I typically don't get nervous when I meet them. But Ozzie was a childhood hero of mine, and I admit I had some butterflies when I started asking him questions. But he put me right at ease and I felt like I was just chatting with an old friend.
Then it was time to turn double-plays. It worked in two rounds. Round One: the participant would play short-stop, George Brett played 2nd and Eddie Murray played first. In Round Two: Ozzie played Short, the participant played 2nd and Eddie Murray was still at first. In each round the ball was hit to the participant who had one chance to turn the double-play.
When it came time for me to turn my double-play at Short, I fielded the ball cleanly, but I was unhappy with my footwork on my throw to George Brett. It was a good throw and we were able to turn the double-play, but I felt I could have done better.
Then it was time for me to fulfill a boyhood dream - turn a double-play at 2nd with Ozzie at short. The ball was hit to my left. I ranged over and it took a bit of a hop which I fielded cleanly, made a nice jump pivot to face 2nd (whew) and threw a perfect strike to Ozzie's chest. Ozzie took a picture-perfect turn at 2nd and made a perfect throw to Eddie Murray who was whooping it up on that play. George Brett yelled "very nice!" And Ozzie shouted "It must be the glove!"
I'm sure I had a big goofy grin on my face. It really felt good to be able to live a dream and turn a double play with Ozzie Smith.
At the end of the event, as you made your way out of Doubleday Field, the participant would file past a table with Ozzie, Brett and Murray. Each of them signed a baseball (provided by the HOF) for each participant. As I was getting my baseball signed by the Wizard, I said "Thanks again for giving my glove some mojo." He asked to see my glove again. I thought he was going to put his hand in it again for some extra mojo. But lo and behold he signed it!!
I was shocked because we were told (many times) in no uncertain terms that the players would not sign anything but one baseball for each participant. In fact the guy in front of me tried to get them to sign an extra baseball, but the HOF employees (very nicely) told him that wouldn't be possible.
I wasn't looking for the autograph, but I got one anyway. Then the guy behind me says "Now you have to buy a new gamer!!"
What do you all think? I will never sell this glove for any price. But I'm wondering, should I buy a new gamer and keep this glove on a trophy shelf? Or should I keep playing ball with this glove as it has some really good mojo now. Is there anyway to protect the autograph so it doesn't fade away?
Here is more info on the Play Ball with Ozzie Smith event. If you attend the event next year, be sure to say "hi" to me. I'll be the one there wearing the Rawlings PRO12TC and a goofy grin
http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080725&content_id=8358&vkey=hof_news
On the shelf! 