Took my son and my father to the Hall of Fame touring display today. One exhibit invited people to write and post their best baseball memory. For my son, it was seeing Derek Jeter hit a walk off in his last at bat in Kansas City. For me, it's seeing this picture. What's yours?
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Not saying the best, just stream of conscious...
My dad took me to a Rangers game in 1975 vs the Oakland Athletics. Gave me a legal pad and a pen and said to go get the A's autographs. I got on the same page Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Gene Tennace, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, Bert Campaneris, Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers and more. (+Elliot Maddox for the Rangers)
And yeah, I lost it at some point in my life.
Edit: Just to be clear, I lost the paper with the autographs.
Playing there were so many great memories it's hard to single one out. Then there's all the great memories of watching my son's journey.
As a fan it was the Red Sox winning four straight to come back from 3-0 against the Yankees followed by the icing on the cake, sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series in 2004. Going to my first MLB game is a close second. I was seven. I went to Fenway Park to see Mickey Mantle play.
When I took my son to Fenway for the first time (he had been to a few games at the Vet in Philadelphia) he had the same awed look I must have had when I was seven.
RJM posted:Playing there were so many great memories it's hard to single one out. Then there's all the great memories of watching my son's journey.
As a fan it was the Red Sox winning four straight to come back from 3-0 against the Yankees followed by the icing on the cake, sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series in 2004. Going to my first MLB game is a close second. I was seven. I went to Fenway Park to see Mickey Mantle play.
When I took my son to Fenway for the first time (he had been to a few games at the Vet in Philadelphia) he had the same awed look I must have had when I was seven.
Funny how your team of choice shapes what you remember, or how you remember it. My dad was telling my son today about the various Reds' World Series titles, while I think son was more interested in the Yankees wins.
Nice topic. Thank you.
I have a lot of great baseball memories about son, but this time of year I always get choked up seeing the winning pitcher cry. Exactly 9 years ago son was the winning pitcher for his team, and he was so overwhelmed he cried like a baby. Everyone was very overwhelmed, coaches, players, fans, parents. It was a great season, winning the ACC title, both regionals at home,and a trip to Omaha. Memories forever!
TPM posted:Nice topic. Thank you.
I have a lot of great baseball memories about son, but this time of year I always get choked up seeing the winning pitcher cry. Exactly 9 years ago son was the winning pitcher for his team, and he was so overwhelmed he cried like a baby. Everyone was very overwhelmed, coaches, players, fans, parents. It was a great season, winning the ACC title, both regionals at home,and a trip to Omaha. Memories forever!
I saw an emotional Alex Lange (LSU) walk off the field in the top of the eigth inning last night thinking that he didn't do enough for his team to win...and knowing that was his last time pitching at Alex Box Stadium. He headed straight for the tunnel
Fortunately for him, his teammates were able to put up a four spot in the bottom of the ninth.
Many years ago, while playing in the Basin League, I had the opportunity to bat against a young pitcher named BOB GIBSON. When I could not see the fastball, I listen to the baseball move through the air.
Stuck out my bat and fortunately the ball disappear over the RF fence.
Bob
Folks, such happy tears...such heartbreaking tears...
May 3, 2013 Ring-a-ding-ding, Ring-a-ding-ding, Ring-a-ding-ding....
"Hi, Babe! What's going on?"
"Mom, I'm going to New York"...
"Welcome to the Bigs, Young Man!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_2YkDcQFSA
Fast forward to May 9, 2017, 4 weeks ago. 7:48am: Car is loaded. Headed to Round Rock to see son play before they leave for a road trip. Taking him a 12 lb Red Snapper, gilled, gutted & scaled...going to fix up a nice & neat dinner of Snapper Ponchatrain with crab & shrimp in white wine sauce...Well, it was worthy!...fed abt 10 teammates & coaches! Loads of "UMMM, UMMM, UMMM'S!"
May 11, 2017. 1:07pm....."What in the World?!?"...door unlocked...end table in middle of floor, 2 rugs rolled up, lamp thrown on sofa, planter thrown in chair...2-3 steps in utter disbelief...door to curio cabinet is open & my eyes fixated on the top shelf....OH, God, NO, NO, NO! Grabbed the dog leach up again & RAN out to car...Headed up my FM road to Sheriff's office trying to tell 911 my frigging name. I could hardly breathe! Sheriff met me on the road, escorted me back home...Tears, shaking, panting...trying to breathe! All of a sudden, there's 8 of them, Huge Men, in Cowboy hats & boots & armed to the hilt...For the next 3 1/2 hrs they are fingerprinting every room/surface in my house!
All I want are his balls! That's all!
Major League Debut, 5/5/2013. 1st Major League Strike Out & Mother's Day, 5/12/2013..."Mom, I never would have made it this far without you! Love Pres, 5/12/2013".
But, they can NEVER take my memories, 20+ years of ballfields & red dirt, TSHSCA Team, Area Code, AAU Championship, Field of Dreams in Iowa, Jupiter, Auburn Tournament, Marietta, Lincoln Nebraska, Rice Univ, Tulane Senior Day... the sheer joy of seeing him Debut, NYC, Kansas City, Arlington Stadium, Tampa, Miami, Richmond Va, the rehab year, the smiles & hugs, the laughter, & above all else, "Thank you, Lord!".
Those are mine forever.
hshuler posted:TPM posted:Nice topic. Thank you.
I have a lot of great baseball memories about son, but this time of year I always get choked up seeing the winning pitcher cry. Exactly 9 years ago son was the winning pitcher for his team, and he was so overwhelmed he cried like a baby. Everyone was very overwhelmed, coaches, players, fans, parents. It was a great season, winning the ACC title, both regionals at home,and a trip to Omaha. Memories forever!
I saw an emotional Alex Lange (LSU) walk off the field in the top of the eigth inning last night thinking that he didn't do enough for his team to win...and knowing that was his last time pitching at Alex Box Stadium. He headed straight for the tunnel
Fortunately for him, his teammates were able to put up a four spot in the bottom of the ninth.
Well that scene took place the following year when they lost the super regional at MSU! 
baseballmom posted:Folks, such happy tears...such heartbreaking tears...
May 3, 2013 Ring-a-ding-ding, Ring-a-ding-ding, Ring-a-ding-ding....
"Hi, Babe! What's going on?"
"Mom, I'm going to New York"...
"Welcome to the Bigs, Young Man!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_2YkDcQFSA
Fast forward to May 9, 2017, 4 weeks ago. 7:48am: Car is loaded. Headed to Round Rock to see son play before they leave for a road trip. Taking him a 12 lb Red Snapper, gilled, gutted & scaled...going to fix up a nice & neat dinner of Snapper Ponchatrain with crab & shrimp in white wine sauce...Well, it was worthy!...fed abt 10 teammates & coaches! Loads of "UMMM, UMMM, UMMM'S!"
May 11, 2017. 1:07pm....."What in the World?!?"...door unlocked...end table in middle of floor, 2 rugs rolled up, lamp thrown on sofa, planter thrown in chair...2-3 steps in utter disbelief...door to curio cabinet is open & my eyes fixated on the top shelf....OH, God, NO, NO, NO! Grabbed the dog leach up again & RAN out to car...Headed up my FM road to Sheriff's office trying to tell 911 my frigging name. I could hardly breathe! Sheriff met me on the road, escorted me back home...Tears, shaking, panting...trying to breathe! All of a sudden, there's 8 of them, Huge Men, in Cowboy hats & boots & armed to the hilt...For the next 3 1/2 hrs they are fingerprinting every room/surface in my house!
All I want are his balls! That's all!
Major League Debut, 5/5/2013. 1st Major League Strike Out & Mother's Day, 5/12/2013..."Mom, I never would have made it this far without you! Love Pres, 5/12/2013".
But, they can NEVER take my memories, 20+ years of ballfields & red dirt, TSHSCA Team, Area Code, AAU Championship, Field of Dreams in Iowa, Jupiter, Auburn Tournament, Marietta, Lincoln Nebraska, Rice Univ, Tulane Senior Day... the sheer joy of seeing him Debut, NYC, Kansas City, Arlington Stadium, Tampa, Miami, Richmond Va, the rehab year, the smiles & hugs, the laughter, & above all else, "Thank you, Lord!".
Those are mine forever.
OMG, they took his balls!!!!!
That can never be replaced!!!!
So sorry you went thru this hon, keep me posted on Pres!!!!
And yes, they know their moms are their biggest fans!!!!
So many wonderful memories of my sons baseball journey and time spent with him traveling and watching him grow into such a fine young man.
Fast forward to now my husband and I were looking at mobile homes to buy and things are tight as we need to downsize. We are at the mobile home park and Im not crazy about this particular one but the price would make us have some freedom. My son calls as hes traveling to his sales territory and often calls while driving. I tell him what were doing. He says "mom do you like the mobile home?"I say the park is too close to the freeway. But its in our range rt now. He says" mom please pick something out that you and dad will. Be happy with, he said I will help you each month so you can get something you will like.Mom youhave done so much for me let me help you, I dnt want you and dad in a place thats not right for you."
That just touched me in my heart and although has nothing to do with baseball, watching him become a very successful software salesmen in technology and seeing how hard he has worked directly is because of baseball and all he had to do to get where he went.
We thanked him from our hearts and did not accept his offer as we can support ourselves and keep looking. But the gesture from his heart just made me more proud because he has wonderful character and work ethic that were formed with baseball as part of his journey.
I have a LOT of memories and I agree it's hard to pick out a favorite. But last night had to be up there close. We seemed snake bit until the bottom of the 8th. Even though son didn't play a part in last night's decision, watching those guys battle back with so much on the line was incredible. I've watched a lot of games in Alex Box over the last couple of years, but I've NEVER experienced anything like last night. Both teams played great and neither deserved to lose, but in sports there has to be a winner and a loser. The kid from MSU pitched his heart out and Lange was, well, Lange. He is such a competitor. I look forward to another heavy weight battle tonight. GEAUX TIGERS. Sorry RFF
MLB - my fondest memory is taking my son (then about 9-10 years old) to Camden Yards for his "first" MLB game. We had located our seats and were looking to get some food before the game. An Orioles representative approached us and asked if my son would be interested in either participating in pregame ceremonies or changing the bases at the end of the 5th inning. He chose to change the bases. So they showed me where to bring him at the end of the 2nd inning.
At the end of the 2nd inning I escorted him to the drop off point and went back to my seat. At the end of the 5th I see him come out from behind RF with the grounds crew, base in hand and he's heading towards 1B (near the O's dugout). He swaps the base out and heads back. He told me later they showed him the clubhouse and various other things in the stadium. A few of the bullpen pitchers walked passed him as he waited and watched from the RF area. He must have thought he was in heaven.
Oh and the O's won that day 1-0 (I forget who they played) with John Maine on the mound.
A personal favorite memory regarding my son was his senior year. Let me set the state. District championship game, 7th inning, down by one. Team hasn't won the district in 25 years, Son has not had a good day - ground out, walked, scored a run and flied out. Son is #2 batter in the lineup. As we head to the bottom of the 7th we have 8-9-1 batting, First two are put out in quick succession which brings up the top of the line up. This kid (a 5 tool player who had hit a 2 run shot in the 5th) is anxious to do it again. Opposing coach calls time and confers with his infield and pitcher. First two pitches are no where near the strike zone. The third one is way outside. Coach signals to put him on which brings up my son. Son works count to 3-1. Somewhere during that time the previous batter stole 2nd so now he has one in scoring position. Next pitch is inside but tailing towards the middle. Son rips it down the LF line over 3B's head deep into the corner for a stand up RBI double tying the game. His team goes onto win in the 8th. Bedlam!
The team would go onto make it the state quarterfinals but that particular game and at-bat stands out the most.
Best MLB in-stadium memory - watching my beloved Angels in the infamous "Dave Henderson" ALCS game against Boston. Heartbreaking but spellbinding.
Best personal memory - son's college Senior Day, hands down. Starting P, 130+ pitches, 1 ER 6 hits for the 2-0 loss. It was a beautiful weekend.
Best MLB memory was the last out in the World Series last year. The entire series was epic and there were times I thought they wouldn't pull it out. I've been a die hard Cubs fan since I started watching WGN with my grandpa.
Best personal memory happened in the playoffs this year. The 9th inning and seeing my son help his team put the winning run on the board to win the teams first playoff game in 7 years. There are so many other great memories too. And that's what this is all about. The memories.
very nice thread. Thank you!
My first memory would be in 1978 at Tiger Stadium. My Grandfather took me to my first game. I was 11. Seeing the field for the first time in person was something that I will never forget. I will never forget the green grass and the way the umpire called strikes. Jack Billingham was the starter. �� Of course there are many great memories of my sons journey. Going to Omaha when he was 13, we never envisioned that he would pitch in the Super Regional and pitch the game of his career to get them to CWS. Then to pitch in the CWS...Unbelievable emotions! Great topic. Thank you.
My kid turning a Triple Play at age 11 stands out on a persona level
Seeing Brooks Robinson in person many times as a youngster growing up in Baltimore stands out. He was truly incredible at third
First my son is only 13 but so many great memories so far. Plenty of time for more.
One of my early ones was a Little League all-star game. Kids were probably 12? Our pitcher loaded the bases, then gave up a grand slam. It was raining at about 8:30 at night, which was good, cause then you couldn't see the pitcher crying. Third baseman yells out "come on guys, we got this." They got their outs, got up to bat, third baseman hits a grand slam to win the game.
Now, out of the nine kids on the field that dark and rainy night, six are on the starting lineup for our HS varsity squad. The other night, one of them pitched and gave up seven runs in the second. Came back to pitch a full game, and win.
I love that they just don't quit.
