A view from the seats of the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. July 11. Participants in the game also provided the Pentagon Channel shout-outs to the troops that will air during the World Series. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class William Selby.
By Petty Officer William Selby
The Pentagon Channel crew and I have been here for only two days, but our task of getting shout-outs from Major League Baseball’s best has been a huge success thus far.
Yesterday, we traveled to the Anaheim Convention Center for the All Star Fan Fest in order to catch some past baseball legends as well as celebrities while they took batting practice before the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
Ernie Banks, Maria Menounos, MC Hammer, Jennie Finch and so many more took time out to say hello to our troops.
It never ceases to amaze me the respect, love and support these celebrities have for our men and women in the military. It’s a truly amazing feeling to be surrounded by these celebrities and players who have everyone around them asking for something, yet they are looking for us to wish our troops well.
John Kruk said it best, “While we may be your favorite athletes and be called heroes, you are the true heroes.”
This was pretty much the consensus as we talked to the players and celebrities.
I believe we received shout-outs from 90 percent of the people playing in the softball game because they were so accommodating to us. Being the only one in uniform definitely has its perks.
Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees, fields questions from reporters at the 2010 All-Star Game media day July 12. Jeter also gave the Pentagon Channel some thoughts of encouragement for the men and women in uniform stationed over seas. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class William Selby.
Today, we moved on to the actual All-Stars of the “Mid-Summer Classic.”
I can’t begin to explain the excitement I had as we were allowed in to speak with the players, and what a feeling it is to have those players be just as excited to say something to the troops.
As we walked in the ballroom where the players were at their podiums, I went straight to Alex Rodriguez and the group of New York Yankees that are a part of the American League All-Stars. Rodriguez, like the rest of the players, gave us a few seconds of his time and sent his encouragement to the troops.
It wasn’t only the players though; people like Harold Reynolds of ESPN, who acted as if he knew me on a personal level. Reynolds was interviewing me like he was the fan and I was the famous ball player.
These are the things that open your eyes and make you remember why you joined the Armed Forces: because of the respect, love, and support you share with the American people.
