WWU #1
“So what do you think about Anthony Rizzo saying the Cubs’ll win the National League Central?” the emcee had just asked former Cardinals pitcher, Brad Thompson.
“That’s cute,” Brad deadpanned.
Linnea-Irish and I were back at the Winter Warm-Up again. Six hours in, and it still felt like earlier in the morning.
There’s nothing like hearing Cardinals extoll St. Louis on their own terms.
“So…” the emcee continued with his next interviewee, Xavier Scruggs, “you grew up in San Diego. Did you like the Padres?”
Xavier grinned. “I don’t anymore. I don’t like any other teams anymore.”
This kid knew what to say.
There’s something mesmerizing about watching baseball players sign autographs. Hiked up above the crowd in the grand ballroom, muscles popping out of street shirts, the big friendly grin of Tongan Tuivailala, the traditional grease-backed locks of Pete Kozma, weathered grandpa eyes of Tony La Russa, back again even though now employed by the Diamondbacks. Good set of gentlemen for the morning and afternoon. But Linnea’s book was full of autographs, and she was saving for Spring Training. So we merely observed.
Stopped in at the children’s den where boxes of alligators and tarantulas waited for the young ones’ entertainment. The alligator looked so grumpy, I felt like taking a turn holding him myself. But decided against it. Can’t hog the kids’ territory.
We lunched on pizza, burgers, Perrier sparkling water, and split a pack of Reeses sitting in the carpeted corner near the baby grand. Linnea shared some of her shea butter frankincense and myrrh hand lotion before we took the escalator back upstairs for more interviews and signings.
We left at 3:30 to beat the crowds driving home, adding one souvenir to the bag for Linnea – a very annoyed-looking Yadier Molina baseball card plaque. I don’t know why we Snicketts girls like “annoyed things”. But we do. And in this case, the baseball vendors received the advantage – six dollars out of Linnea’s hard-working-girl wallet.
“This guy still playing for us?” the vendor asked her, winking.
“He’d better be,” Linnea grinned.