ryno4ever
Aug 14th 2007, 10:19 pm
My son and I finished off our Peoria Chiefs Kids Club activities today with a pizza party this afternoon at O'Brien Field with most of the players. It was a truly unforgettable experience! Although Ryno wasn't there, the players were awesome and interacted with all of the kids. A childhood friend and now co-worker was with us with her two kids, as they belong to the Kids Club, too. We were sitting at our table (on the patio overlooking the field) and first baseman Russ Canzler asked if he could sit with us. He was great with the kids! I asked him what it was like to have Wood and Blanco down there with them....he said it was completely awesome. He said Wood was incredible and catered in a really nice dinner for them when he ws down there. He was more impressed with Blanco. He said Henry was awesome with "coaching" them and giving them "pointers" on their play. I asked him what it was like playing for Ryne Sandberg, and he said was unbelievably awesome...and commented on how laid back Sandberg is. He asked the kids who their favorite player was, if they were Cub fans, if they play ball, and if so, which position....the kids loved it! The players all were wonderful. My son got all of their autographs, and almost forgot to eat his pizza! As we were leaving the park, we saw Russ sitting in his car...and he waved to the kids. We went to the car. Due to construction down by the field, we got re-routed...and eventually lost! (I had to call my mom and have her jump on Mapquest to get us back to somewhere familiar!) We finally made it to War Memorial Drive, and as we were turning from there to Knoxville (the road we were supposed to be on), the kids spotted Russ turning onto War Memorial and began waving frantically...and he saw them and gave a big wave back! I think our kids have made a friend for life!
With the kids going back to school next week, this was definately a great way to end the summer of baseball!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3134Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3132Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3155Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3156Small.jpg
With the kids going back to school next week, this was definately a great way to end the summer of baseball!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3134Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3132Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3155Small.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/100_3156Small.jpg