My fondest memory of Jim Thome will always be his graciousness with the kids who gathered around the 3rd base dugout in Richmond, VA when Jim was playing for Charlotte in the International League. I always sat in the first row of box seats along the 3rd base line at Richmond Braves home games when I owned a house in Richmond. I enjoyed observing the interaction between the visiting players and the local kids who would swarm down into the box seats to get autographs from the AAA stars.
One night Jimmy stood right in front of me, signing balls, pieces of paper, anything the kids would hand him, smiling all the while, now and then looking up at me as if to say, 'Don't you want my autograph too?' (which, of course, I did, but I would not think of getting it at the sake of one of the kids). He kept signing until someone in authority told him that it was time to come in. All the other players for both teams had long since disappeared into the dugout. At that particular moment, I said to myself, 'There is a class act.' He has never done anything to make me change my mind.
Every day, I get up and check the box score of Cleveland Indians games, just like a kid would do for his high school games, and, when he does well, I say 'Yes!!!', and when he doesn't do so well, I just say, 'Get 'em next time, Jimmy'. I would be so proud to have a son just like Jim Thome.
» Bill Campbell lives in Williamsburg, Virginia and played baseball at the U. of Va. in 1960.
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Copyright © 2002 by Bill Campbell. Posted July 31, 2002.
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