I Met Rod Carew in a Gas Station

I never go into this gas station.  Never.  But on this certain day, I did.  

And there he was, waiting to get his car washed.  Yes, this was a gas station/car wash in Laguna Hills, California.

Thanks to some friends who had opened some doors for me, I’d met some of my heroes before.  But never in a gas station.  

I went right up to him and the first words out of my mouth were, “You are Rod Carew.”  

“Yes I am, son.  Who are you?

I let him know I was a youth baseball coach, and that really seemed to interest him.  I notified him my next Sandlot was in about 10 minutes, right down the road.  

He seemed VERY interested!  

We said our goodbyes, and I headed to the Sandlot.  About 10 minutes into our scrimmage, this car pulls up.  It was ROD CAREW!  He actually showed up.  I told the kids to take a water break in the shade because I had a friend who wanted to talk to them.

I walked with him from his car to the team, and boy did he deliver.  It was beyond special.

James Lowe, AKA Coach Ballgame, writes relatable stories for coaches and parents to support them in raising up young ballplayers who love the game, are quality players, and who don’t burn out early. For the love of baseball! Let’s show them the way.