Years ago, I ventured with my dad to Safeco Field one Sunday afternoon. It was sunny and warm, perfect for a day game in the middle of summer. We had arrived early that day; I had an crisp, unused baseball in one hand and a black sharpie in the other as we made our way down to the first row on the first base side. I, like the many children of all ages that were there, had the hope of having a Mariner player come over and sign their ball.
I was young at the time, only about five or six years old. Being one of the younger and smaller boys that wanted an autograph, I was out of luck with several players that had come over to us simply because I wasn't able to be as assertive. Things were looking quite bleak for my chances of coming away with a signed baseball. Then he came.
As the time for batting practice waned, one last player made his way toward the group of kids huddled by the Mariners dugout. It was a player that could be placed anywhere in the field. It was a player that was known for his speed on the basepaths. It was a player that had a chance to beat out any routine grounder. It was Willie Bloomquist.
He signed several balls, bats, and other pieces of memorabilia. It was starting to look as if I was going to be left out once again, and my ball would stay blank like clean sheet of paper. I stuck my arm out, ball in hand, hoping that this ballplayer would choose mine out of the jumble of others.
Finally, he did it. Willie Bloomquist granted me a signed ball; the first of my young life.
Although this doesn't seem like a huge deal, this is a moment that I will never forget. It was something that made my eyes light up and made me love baseball like I never had before.
Thank you for the memories, Willie. You helped mold me into someone who will be a lifelong Mariners fan. For that, I am forever grateful. Go M's.
I was young at the time, only about five or six years old. Being one of the younger and smaller boys that wanted an autograph, I was out of luck with several players that had come over to us simply because I wasn't able to be as assertive. Things were looking quite bleak for my chances of coming away with a signed baseball. Then he came.
As the time for batting practice waned, one last player made his way toward the group of kids huddled by the Mariners dugout. It was a player that could be placed anywhere in the field. It was a player that was known for his speed on the basepaths. It was a player that had a chance to beat out any routine grounder. It was Willie Bloomquist.
He signed several balls, bats, and other pieces of memorabilia. It was starting to look as if I was going to be left out once again, and my ball would stay blank like clean sheet of paper. I stuck my arm out, ball in hand, hoping that this ballplayer would choose mine out of the jumble of others.
Finally, he did it. Willie Bloomquist granted me a signed ball; the first of my young life.
Although this doesn't seem like a huge deal, this is a moment that I will never forget. It was something that made my eyes light up and made me love baseball like I never had before.
Thank you for the memories, Willie. You helped mold me into someone who will be a lifelong Mariners fan. For that, I am forever grateful. Go M's.