Rodriguez takes care of special fan
The 12-year-old fan who retrieved Alex Rodriguez’s record 24th career grand slam ball from the stands at Yankee Stadium says he gave it back because he felt the slugger had “worked hard” for the feat and deserved it.
Steven Gieseler Jr. of East Islip, N.Y., scooped the ball from beneath a seat as Rodriguez rounded the bases in a game against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 20.
The slam allowed Rodriguez to break a record held by Gieseler’s all-time favorite Yankee, Lou Gehrig.
But the middle-schooler told Newsday that when a security official approached him and said Rodriguez wanted the ball, he had no problem turning it over.
“It’s the player’s accomplishment,” the boy said.
“He deserves to get it back. He worked hard for it.”
After the game, Steven and his father were escorted into a private room where they met with Rodriguez, who gave him an autographed bat and ball and asked him whether he had been to the stadium before or played baseball.
“He said, ‘Hey buddy, nice catch,’ but I just stood there in awe,” Steven said.
The boy’s mother, Tina Gieseler, said her son has a big heart.
“We’ve always taught our kids that people work their whole lives for something like this,” she said.
Kiss and tell
Diana Taurasi became an Internet sensation when the Phoenix star gave Seimone Augustus of Minnesota a peck on the cheek after the players were called for double personal fouls in Minnesota’s 85-62 rout of the Mercury on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Video of the moment has garnered more than 2.5 million views on YouTube in just 36 hours.
Augustus was surprised by how much attention it’s gotten.
”I had no idea it would catch fire like it did,” she said in a phone interview Saturday.
“I guess I should’ve expected it when I woke up the next morning and saw ESPN had its little segment on sentimental smooches. But I didn’t think it would reach this magnitude. It’s great. I hope those 2.5 million views transfer over to the game.”Second-place status
A case could be made forMike Trout being named the American League Most Valuable Player. Los Angeles Manager Mike Scioscia isn’t about to make that case.
“You talk about the MVP thing, I think there is some weight on where a team ends up, and I think that’s probably going to factor into the equation,” said Scioscia, whose team never contended in a forgettable season.
The Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera is expected to repeat, and Trout seems likely to be runnerup again.
“It’s going to be like last year,” Trout said. “He’s on a winning team. I think with MVP awards, that’s one factor that factors in.”Quote of the day “There’s not a picture that will do it justice.” Dave Corley on the 13-foot, 9-inch alligator killed by Little Rock’s Drew Baker in Hempstead County
Sports, Pages 24 on 09/29/2013