Spending time with some veteran baseball greats
In my days of broadcasting, which covers more than 40 years, I've had the privilege of meeting some incredible people from the sports and entertainment worlds.
Recently, I spent more than six hours with some of America's greatest baseball players who served our country in World War II.
The American Veterans Center held their 11th Annual Conference here in Washington, and Jim Roberts is the founder and President of that great organization.
On November 7th I had the honor of moderating a panel discussion featuring Major League Baseball players who put their careers on hold to serve in World War II. What a lineup it was.
Three Hall of Famer's were on hand, Bob Feller, Monte Irvin and Ralph Kiner. They were joined by Jerry Coleman, Joe Anders and Lou Brissie.
Each spoke of walking away from America's pasttime to join the Army, Navy or Marine Corp.
None had even the slightest regret to go to battle and protect our freedom.
Bob Feller turned 90 November 3rd; Lou Brissie and Monte Irvin are both 89; Ralph Kiner is 86; and Joe Anders 88. Jerry Coleman was the youngest of the group: Coleman is 84 and looks like he is 54!
Each carved his own nitch in Major League Baseball, but when it came time to talk about their career's, they all chose to spend more time discussing something much more important, their service to their Country.
A reception to honor "Rapid Robert" Feller's 90th birthday was held at National's park.
Among those on hand to wish the greatest pitcher in Cleveland Indians history well were his fellow panel members along with Mark Lerner one of the prinicipal owners of the Washington Nationals and the team's Senior Vice President of External Affairs Al Maldon, Jr.
The beloved former Washington Senator Frank Howard stopped by and spoke from his heart of his love and respect for Feller .Hondo looked terrific and he is still in Baseball after all these years.
It was a day that I won't soon forget, listening to some amazing stories from some truly great Americans. I hope you get the same opportunity some day to spend some time visitng and talking with those legends of Baseball.
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