The Japanese Game Show
Well just when I thought I had a lot of things figured out, I realized I had no clue. It wasn't long before AJ Pierzynski caught me unaware. Just as I had stepped in the box for live BP, which is thrown by pitchers, AJ asks me about my number. Remember now that I was trying to focus on the pitches and impress the people around me so I wasn't very tuned in to what AJ was saying. Nevertheless, looking back on it, I probably should have just turned around and focused completely on AJ because I had no idea of the consequences of my mindless banter. Here is the conversation.
AJ: So Beckham, why in the world would they give you number 80?
#80: Not sure man, it's my first spring, what number do you think I should have been given?
AJ: Well I figured they were just going to un-retire and give you Harold's number.
#80: Who's Harold?
Now I would like to stop right there and clarify. I was fully aware who Harold Baines was. I had met him earlier that week. I will admit that I did not realize the magnitude of the player he was in MLB history. What I meant to ask AJ was "What's his number?" But being nervous anyways that I was hitting live BP in front of people who mattered, I didn't really think about what I was saying. So AJ, being very outgoing and witty, made sure that this moment was not forgotten throughout the clubhouse. Word soon spread and I knew it was only a matter of time before I was called out on a much larger stage.
It was a few days later, just when I was recovering from my embarrassment when it happened. There were a bunch of camera crews on the field and I was asking around on what was going on. I figured there had to be some sort of big announcement. So we had all gathered for stretch and were just going through announcements when Joey Cora decided to play a little game entitled "Who am I?" As soon as the first stat was recited, I knew exactly what was going on. Joey went through about ten different stats in which Harold was on the ALL-TIME list. I was a little embarrassed, to put it mildly, that I didn't know more about the greatest White Sox player. At the end Joey said lets take a crack at it. It seemed like a million hands went up and of course he pointed directly at me and I then recited what I had learned about Harold.
#80: That would be Harold Baines, he wore and still wears #3, and is Jerry Reinsdorf's favorite player.
Harold then came up behind me and I was given a picture and sharpie for Harold to sign. I asked if he could sign it to me and once he did I turned around to about ten different cameras in my face. At this point Jermaine Dye told me to tell them what happened and I then proceeded to continue my embarrassing day by retelling the story everyone in camp already knew.
I now have Harold's picture signed, and it currently resides in my locker where everyone can see.
The title of this post represents my feelings so far throughout camp. In the SNL skit "The Japanese Game Show", Chris Farley is a contestant on the show and has absolutely no idea what is going on. He can't speak Japanese and really struggles to answer anything correctly that is asked. I thought this skit is very similar to my experience thus far. The one good thing that I can cling to, is the fact that once I step foot on the field, I feel like I am right back into my comfort zone. Once I start playing all the off-field actions are forgotten and I remember why I'm here. AJ makes the baseball easy.
I would like to leave you with a quote from another SNL skit in which my blog is named after.
To me, it's always a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, "Hey, can you give me a hand?" you can say, "Sorry, got these sacks."
Jack Handey
Gordon,
Glad to see you blogging about your experiences thus far in camp, looking forward to reading more.
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Loved the story and glad you are MLBlogging! I liked hearing it from you directly better than this: http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2009/02/beckham_meet_harold.html -- one of the great things about having players blogging!
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
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I agree with Mark...much better hearing the story from you. Welcome to MLBlogs, and I look forward to reading more from you and watching you climb through the organization. Good luck with the rest of spring training!
Jen
http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com
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Welcome to MLBlogs! Hey, that was some shot you hit the other day against the Dodgers! Keep it up and we'll see you on the Southside this summer!
--Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
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Oh Gordon, welcome to the wacky world of White Sox baseball!! I've heard this story on 2 different blogs, but love hearing your take! We are looking forward to seeing you come up to Chicago soon. Welcome aboard!
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Good stuff, Slayer. I look forward to reading more about random experiences from Spring Training.
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Hey Gordon, Hope you have a great spring and make the bigs this year. I'm bringing the family out to Camelback later this month, looking forward to meeting you. BTW Harold Baines was not Jerry's favorite player. This player was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNyFy3YttxE
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Welcome to MLBlogs! Funny story! I can't wait to read more!
Melissa
http://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com
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Dont sweat it, Gordo.
Just keep raking in spring training and all will be forgotten. Frank Thomas is probably the greatest White Sox player by the way, just dont let Kenny Williams here you say that.
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Great first post, and a really good story. I forwarded it to my girlfriend, who is originally from the South Side and a big White Sox fan. I'm coming around to the White Sox myself...I can root for you guys without betryaing my beloved Cardinals, and at least we have mutual disdain for those wretched Cubbies.
Welcom to MLBlogs!
Chris
http://bird-brained.mlblogs.com
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Welcome to MLBlogs! Great entry, and I love the quote at the end. Looking forward to more insights from a prospect!
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
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Welcome to the Mlblogs
http://thewrightway.mlblogs.com/
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Gordon-
It's ok that you didn't know who Harold was at that moment. Brain farts happen! Just keep up the good work and enjoy your first MLB Spring Training!!!--Natalie
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Don't worry about not knowing who Harold Baines is. A.J. always makes sure to get all the new guys, so you certainly are not the first and will definitely not be the last. I do have to admit that your story is pretty funny. You just have to make the best out of awkward situations. Good Luck!
-Beth
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Gordo
Good to see you writing! So we're not gonna see this Baines photo/autograph on E-bay, right?
:)
Congrats on the great spring so far! We'll see you back in Athens sometime!
Srav
"Josie's on a vacation far away..."
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Not to be mean or anything, but I heard about A.J. putting up a tape divider between your lockers. I thought it was hilarious! I can see that you have become his new favorite target. Have fun with that.
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3 doubles !!! OMG. Pack your bags , you're coming to Chicago. PS. Harold reminds me of the guy from Weekend at Bernies.
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Hey Gordon, I know you meet a lot of people during spring training but I would like to personally thank you for signing for me on Monday. Not many ball players keep to their word when they say hey they will come back and sign something for you, but you came directly to me when you came out of the dugout. My mom, Jeanne, thanks you too for the signature. It was fun watching you play this weekend and I can't wait to see you tear up the central this season. Best of luck to you and thanks again, Jason.
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Gordo,
Congrats on your success. Was in a bar last weekend and watched you hit your first career home run. Love to see you holdin it down for Westminster! Keep it up.
Nick
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Gordon,
All of your elementary school teachers are following your career and are very happy about your success at Georgia and in Chicago. My daughter has moved to Chicago and this past weekend I was there attending her wedding, and I jumped at the chance to go to a White Sox game and see a former 5th grader play. I was so excited to have that chance. We even got seats above 3rd base. As you can imagine, I was so disappointed that it was the first game you ever missed! and I didn't get to see you play. Congratulations on your hard work and success. I heard that you went 3 for 4 today. Fantastic! From the people I heard talking sports at my daughter's wedding, I heard how much Chicago loves you! I really hope that I will be able to go to another game and see you play. All of us in the Elementary School wish you the best and will continue to enjoy following your career.
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