|
To: Chris Haley (chrishaley@jetmail.ca)
From: Tom Haley (thaley120791@jetmail.ca)
July 19, 2017
Hey cuz!
Since you didn't get to come to Milwaukee for the All-Star game, I wanted to make sure I emailed you as soon as I could to tell you about it.
As I'm sure you know, I didn't pitch in the game, but the entire experience was just as cool as you might think it is.
I traveled to Milwaukee with the other All-Stars from the Braves, Jason Heyward and Mat Gamel. They are both really good guys. I've known Jason since I visited Atlanta the week I signed my pro contract seven years ago. Mat had been traded to the Braves about a month before I came up in 2015, so we've been with the team about the same length of time.
This was Mat's fourth All-Star Game, and it was Jason's seventh. They were really great about making sure I knew where to go and what to do, so I didn't look like a clueless dork.
The Home Run Derby was a lot of fun to watch. Jason didn't participate this year, since he's coming off a hamstring injury, but Mat did. He did fairly well--he hit a couple of LONG shots. Jharmidy DeJesus from the Twins was locked in, though, and won the Derby with a great final round. I'm glad I don't have to face that dude.
It was a real honor to be in the same dugout with Albert Pujols. He's one of the greatest players of all time, and he could not be a nicer guy. I also really enjoyed talking baseball with Ryan Zimmerman, who also played at the University of Virginia like I did.
Naturally, I hung out most with the National League pitchers. Drew Storen, Joe Nicholas, and Brian Matusz were especially fun to hang with.
The game wasn't close, and I feel badly for Aroldis Chapman, who got hit so hard in the first and second innings. Jason started for us in the outfield, as usual, and he got one of our six hits. Mat pinch hit and flied out.
I know there are guys who don't want to play in the All-Star Game for one reason or another. They get upset because they weren't voted in as a starter, and are too proud to be a reserve. They're banged up and don't want to risk getting hurt worse in an exhibition game. They'd rather spend the All-Star break with their families. I won't judge those guys, but I can't imagine ever NOT going to the game if I'm lucky enough to be chosen.
Because I'm a pitcher, I'll always be chosen by the manager of the pennant-winning team in my league. I made sure to thank Brent Mayne for choosing me for the honor. I hope it's the first of many for me.
I have something for you the next time I see you, too.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I'll see you sometime this fall.
Tom
Chris is Tom's first cousin. He's eleven years old, and he lives in Toronto with his family. Tom got his NL All-Star teammates to sign a ball for Chris.
|