July 20th, 1957 – I had just turned 8 years old, and the Fightin’ Phils were playing the Cincinnati Reds.
I had bought an autograph book at Woolworth’s, the day before, hoping for the chance to make Richie Ashburn, my first autograph. My Dad, two brothers and I, got to the game early and made our way down to the dugout area. When we got there, there he was, the Phillies star centerfielder.
Rich signed my book, patted me on the head, 45 seconds, and it was over.
Thirty-three years later, in 1990, I met Rich at an autograph show, in New Jersey.