Apr 17, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (22) reacts after grounding out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning during game against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Many congrats to Christian Yelich, who departed from the Milwaukee Brewers today in order to sign a new deal with
The priceless ball came from Hoskins’ first big league road trip in 2017, which happened to take him home to Northern California. That visit produced a chance meeting with Mays in the visiting clubhouse manager’s office and the surprise of a signed ball. At that point, Hoskins decided it felt right to keep it in his baseball bag. For years, it traveled wherever he did.
Only this year, when Hoskins moved from the Phillies to the Brewers, did the ball find a more permanent home. But with Mays’ and Hoskins searching throughout recent weeks for a good feeling at the plate — the sort that finally arrived in the ninth inning of the Brewers’ on Thursday at Petco Park — it led to some reflection about that autographed ball.
“Probably the reason I’m playing baseball is because my dad loved watching Willie Mays,” Hoskins said. “I’m sure there’s so many stories like that out there. That tells you a lot about the Say Hey Kid.”
