Have you ever got a ball at a game before?

[xdrx]

The one that got away...

I was at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 1976 as an 8-yr old east coast Dodgers fan. At the game way early for BP. As players started off the field before the game kids starting bunching up behind the Dodger's dugout for autographs. I high-tailed it down there, and was maybe back about four rows of bodies. Not much chance.

A few players were handing out balls from BP or whatever, which I'm politely shouting for them to toss my way to no avail. Then I see a ball being passed around and signed! It maybe had 10 sigs total - Cey and Lopes for sure, and Lee Lacy. He was pretty much the last guy on the field, holding the autographed ball. I held my glove hand up, hoping for a toss. I swear we made eye contact. He flipped the ball in my direction. I had my glove out, ready for an easy catch, until the kid in front of me rose up to what seemed liked Kareem Abdul Jabaarian heights and snatched the ball out of the air with his bare hand.

Never been that close to one since, though I did catch a tennis ball at a John McEnroe match in the early 80s. Much to my dismay you have to give those back!