(03-26-2020 10:54 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Jimmy “The Toy Cannon” Wynn, the slugger who played for the Braves, Astros and other teams, has died at 78 on Thursday in Houston, TX.


Astros great Jimmy Wynn dies at 78

I saw his first major league game, in Pittsburgh. He played shortstop. We used to laugh about that game. He said, "Roberto Clemente hit a line drive at me so hard that it was by me before I could even move. I told the manager to move me to the outfield." I kept score on my program and we used to talk about getting him to sign it. I never remembered to bring it whenever we were going to be together. Toward the end, he was going downhill, having more and more trouble getting around, and I should have known that I needed to bring that program. Now he never will sign it, and I could kick myself.

I'll never have that autograph, but I will always have the pleasure of having known him as a friend. He was always a favorite of mine when he played, and getting to have that kind of friendship with one of my favorite players was a real treat. I will miss him greatly.