Thoughts Of A Golden Glover

So, I almost forgot to tell you, at my second GG Game, I had a fan ask for my autograph! I was covering a game for an ill Glover, so I had 2 games in a row, back to back, and both in Right Field. During the second game pregame chit chat with the fans, a middle aged gentleman came down to the rail, AND ASKED ME FOR MY AUTOGRAPH!  Seriously! At first I was a bit stunned, and so I said "Really? No, you don't really want my autograph, I'm nobody important.", and he said..... "Yes you are, yesterday you gave my son a baseball, and it made him so happy, he hasn't stopped talking about it yet." Holy cannoli, I guess you really can't tell how big a deal you can make in someone's life.  At that moment, I also remembered that one of The Diamondbacks goals when dealing with fans is an acronym "FAWTSY" which means "Find A Way To Say Yes", so I said, "In that case, I would be honored to sign your autograph book, Thank you so much...

So, a friend of mine asked me, “How’s that Golden Glover thing going”, and now that I’ve had some time to reflect on my Golden Glovers experience, I can categorically state, that it’s probably one of the best things that’s ever happened to me! I think, one of the main reasons, is the people. As many of my friends know, I am a VERY outgoing person, but I have never run into such a large group of equally outgoing and positive people in my life! I’m amazed!  As an example, one of the Rally-Backs Cheer Squad Member "Rhonda" came up to me the first day, introduced herself and initiated chitchat. I was surprised, only because this sounds exactly like something I would do! Not to mention it made me feel very welcomed. So, overall, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I will say that so far, I am Very, VERY happy to be here! GO DBACKS! 🍪

 OK, I am WAY too wound up to sleep yet, so again, while things are fresh in my mind, here's another.... Set The Scene: When teams change sides, the fielders toss a ball around, then usually toss the ball into the dugout, but tonight, I heard through the grapevine that Cubs 1st baseman M. Busch #29 was tossing the ball yesterday instead to The Right Field GG. So when the Cubs took the field in the first inning, and started to toss the ball around, I stood in #29's line of sight, but still in foul territory,  and every time he looked my way, I held up my glove (ready), and sure enough, he tossed me the ball, which I gave to the kid who asked me for a ball first. Then the second kid, and on and on. Total, #29 tossed me 8 balls. That, in combination with the 4 foul ground balls that came my way, needless to say, I became very popular with the kids in my closest section. On another positive note, I took the suggestion from GG Bruce, and GG Kirk, and others, and gathered kids aroun...

So, today’s the day, my first Golden Glovers game on my own. But hey, I’m not anxious, or nervous, or anything, nope, not me. Just because it’s opening weekend, and yesterday‘s opening day was a sellout of 49K fans, and they’re expecting the same today. But hey, I’m not nervous, cause there’s nothing to be nervous about, right? Besides, nobody’s gonna be watching me…… much. Anyway, I do have an idea for a “positive fan interaction” that I’m planning, for when they introduce me on the Jumbotron. I’ll let you know how it goes. PLAY BALL! ⚾️ My friend Audrie Thompson was at my "Inaugural" Arizona Diamondbacks Golden Glovers Game, and she captured some of the "action". Thanks for coming Audrie!!

OK, so I just got back from my first Diamondbacks Golden Glovers game. And even though it’s past my bedtime, I wanted to capture some thoughts while they’re still fresh in my mind.  Thoughts Of A Golden Glover * Overall, I'd have to rate my first day as a Golden Glover as..... Amazing! * Chase Field looks different from down on the field, looking up. It’s huge!  * Almost all of the Golden Glovers are here tonight, so we rotated in and out after each inning. * I worked the second, fifth, and eighth innings and believe it or not, not a single ground ball was hit my way. * I did have some excitement in the fifth inning though, because a pop-up fly ball was coming directly at me, I looked to my left, and saw the outfielder also running directly at me, so I got the heck out of the way, which is exactly what I was supposed to do. He leaned over the rail and made the catch.  * A secondary task of the left field Golden Glover specifically, is when they make a pitching change, run...

So the Diamondbacks Golden Glovers did something really smart. Our team of 12 has five veterans and seven rookies, so the D backs have scheduled some on the job training.  The last two spring training games are played at Chase Field, and all of the Golden Glovers have been assigned to work both of those games. So my first game on the 24th, I will be in Leftfield with four other Golden Glovers. The logistics of how that will work, remains to be seen. The next day, the 25th I’ll be in right field, with a different set of teammates.  So by the time I have my first game on my own on Friday the 28th, I’ll already have two games under my belt. Which is a good thing, because Friday the 28th is opening weekend, and they’re shooting off fireworks after the game, so it’s expected to be a sellout.  Just think, 40,000+ fans watching me when a ball comes my way, not to mention the television audience. But hey, I’m not anxious, or nervous, or anything, because there’s nothing to be ner...

FYI: The Golden Glover during the game, sits in a chair, in foul territory in the outfield. It is their responsibility to jump up, run down, and field any foul balls that are hit their way, and remove it from play. Secondary is to get out of the way if the ball is "fair". Prior to Covid the ball would be given to a "deserving fan", but afterwards that policy stopped. I don't know if that will restart this year. In between innings, Golden Glovers should interact with the fans, and try to make their experience positive and fun in any way possible. By The Way, Things I've Learned So Far, From Talking To Other Diamondbacks Golden Glovers: 1. Don't be late. 2. You can give collected balls to the fans between the innings. Pick the kids out ahead of time. 3. Don't be late. 4. If ever in doubt, let it go. Better to miss a foul ball, then interfere with a play. 5. Don't be late. 6. Don't walk on the astro turf, walk around it on the dirt warning track...

So, I got a call back from The Arizona Diamondbacks. They thanked me for my participation, mentioned how tough it was to even make it to the tryouts, and how proud I should be of myself for making it that far. SIGH........ Oh yeah, the Director did mention one more thing, she said..... "We were very impressed with your performance at the try outs, so congratulations, we want you to join our 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Golden Glovers Team." 😮 Holy Cow, I did it..... I made it..... I'm an Arizona Diamondbacks Golden Glover!!!!!  😁 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Details to be forthcoming. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Even Better News: It turns out that Diamondbacks Golden Glover, is a PAID Position! Heck, I was willing to do it for free. 😁

So, once again, I'm intending to make a fool of myself, by trying out for The Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Team Golden Glovers. This crew is responsible for sitting near the outfield foul lines during the games, and retrieving any foul balls hit their way. I've previously tried out 4 times, without making the team, but Like I indicated in my resume, I'm going to keep trying out every year until I either make the team, or die trying. Ya think I was persuasive? I submitted my resume, we'll see