Tim calls me out as I'm turning the same age as Jamie Moyer next month. Little does he know that I have a Jamie Moyer story.
1991: I'm in Kentucky visiting family and go to a Louisville Redbirds AAA game. Jamie Moyer is pitching during one of those years when everyone thought he was washed up. From Wikipedia:
Moyer was released as a free agent after the 1990 season and was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals. He made seven starts for the Cardinals in 1991 before being sent to the minor leagues on May 24, and was released on October 14.
I meet my friend's little brother, who played baseball at Notre Dame and in the minors, and we sit behind third base. He is sitting next to Moyer's spouse, Digger Phelps' daughter. After the game I wait around and meet Moyer and tell him good luck (thinking this it for the poor guy). As he is walking off I say to my friend's brother, "I should have gotten his autograph." He says, "well, why don't you." I say "OK! and holler 'Jamie'!". He is kind enough to autograph my brand new Redbirds cap which my puppy Wilma chewed on very soon after.
Jamie Moyer has been one of my top 10 favorite players, and only non-Brave, since then (time for a list):
- Hank Aaron (saw #700, learned about racism from his bio with Furman Bisher)
- Phil Neikro (saw his no-hitter)
- Dale Murphy (I can't believe he got stuck on 398 HRs)
- Tom Glavine (chicks dig the long ball)
- John Smoltz (saw his 100th save)
- Ron Gant (stiff as a board at the plate)
- Greg Maddux (chicks dig the long ball)
- Chipper Jones (he grew on me)
- Ralph Garr (beep, beep)
- Jamie Moyer (autographed my cap)
