Eddie Mathews was my hero. The reasons are obvious.
I was born in 1950 and my brother - named Richard Mathews - was playing 3rd base for the Braves in the West End Little League, Beaumont, TX.
One day - in 1957 - I was reading the sports page with my dad and saw a Mathews in the box score - playing 3rd base for the Braves! I knew it was an omen - and from that day Eddie became my hero.
When Houston got a team in 1962, dad took me to see Houston play the Braves. I waited outside the Braves clubhouse - this was before the Astrodome was finished - and finally Eddie came out. I begged him for his autograph, and he graciously signed my program. My best friend had a camera - and I asked Eddie if he could take a picture with me. When Roger took the picture - the flash wasn't on - I discovered this as Eddie was walking away - I caught up with him and asked if we could retake the picture - He said yes, when he came back from batting practice.
An hour later - here he comes again. I am sure he has forgotten all about the picture - and there are about a hundred kids clamoring for his autograph. I couldn't even get close to him.
Suddenly, Eddie spots me - and calls in a loud voice - "Everybody step back - my friend and I are going to have our picture taken." He called me over to him, put his arm around me, and this time the flash worked. As we walked toward the clubhouse, we talked. He asked me my name, where I was from, etc.
The next year, when I returned to watch the Braves, I caught up with him again, and I swear he remembered me - and signed the picture taken a year earlier.
Five more autographs the next few years - all from my hero. I also got Warren Spahn's, Hank Aaron's, Joe Adcock, etc. But none compared to Eddie's.
As you probably know, Eddie died last year - but he will always live on in this guy's heart.
» David Mathews preaches for the Downtown Church of Christ in Searcy, AR. The day when a famous ballplayer called me his friend will never be forgotten.
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Copyright © 2002 by David Mathews. Posted July 16, 2002.
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