When childhood heroes hang 'em up
With Ryan Braun's retirement ceremony coming up Saturday, Tom thinks back to a similar memory.
I remember the first time I came across the name Ryan Braun.
It was 2007, and I, 13-year-old Tom, was making bank ($5 per hour) babysitting my neighbors down the road. This family lived and breathed Wisconsin sports. Every Sunday, a Green Bay Packers flag would be flying in their driveway. The kids would dress up as Ryan Grant every year for Halloween. You get the picture.
I got into a conversation about baseball with the kid I was babysitting, named Tyler. Trying to burn some clock on a long babysitting shift, I asked him who his favorite player was.
His response? Ryan Braun.
I was stunned.
Wait, you live in the state of Minnesota, have a favorite baseball player and it’s not Joe Mauer? Is this legal? Should I call the authorities? Do you even know what sideburns are?
At the time, my baseball world was about the size of a Metrodome bathroom. It was John Gordon on the microphone, Nick Punto sliding into first base, 830 WCCO radio broadcasts blaring into the night and whichever American League Central division opponent the Twins were playing. I didn’t get to know anything about the National League until I’d watch the World Series every fall.
Despite all that, I realize I had a shared experience with this kid Tyler. I had Joe Mauer, and he had Ryan Braun. Two players drafted by small-market teams who spent their entire careers in one uniform, led the city to multiple (yet unsuccessful) playoff berths and was a reason to go to the ballpark even in the worst of seasons.
Mauer debuted in 2004. I was 10 years old. He walked away from the game in that same No. 7 jersey after the 2018 season. I was 24.
There were whispers of Mauer retiring after 2018 throughout the season. I didn’t give them the time of day. Sure, his record-breaking $184 million deal was expiring after the year but I didn’t believe -- or didn’t want to believe -- he would consider hanging up the cleats. The Twins had a young, talented core and looked primed for a breakout 2019 season. I wanted Mauer to be a part of it.
Alas, he was not.
On Sept. 30, 2018, the Twins wrapped up their season with a game against the Chicago White Sox. Mauer was still being noncommittal about his future in baseball.
During pregame, Mauer’s daughters -- twins, I should add -- ran up to him at first base for a big hug. He squatted down to give them a loving embrace.
Oh boy, this actually might be it.
Mauer batted leadoff that game and took his time getting into the batter’s box in the first inning, tipping his cap to the fans in the stands.
Oh crap. He’s done, isn’t he?
In the seventh inning, the kid from Cretin-Derham Hall hit an opposite-field double in what would be his final at-bat. He -- the same man who was criticized for being monotone and boring his whole career -- started to get emotional at second base.
Oh sh*t.
And in the top of the ninth inning, Mauer burst out onto Target Field in a set of catcher’s gear. He hadn’t played an inning behind the plate since 2013. Mauer took a lap around the backstop, waving his helmet and catcher’s mask to the crowd while receiving a standing ovation.
It was a perfect moment.
*Sobbing uncontrollably*
It’s a strange experience watching your childhood heroes grow old, decline and retire right in front of your eyes. It’s a reminder that life moves incredibly fast and to appreciate each day for what it is. Why was I more concerned about Mauer being healthy for 2019 when I could’ve been treasuring every one of his final at-bats? Why do I wish time away while looking ahead to vacations or to the end of a busy work week when there are small moments to relish each and every day?
I got a little preachy there, but every once in a while we all need a nudge to appreciate what’s in front of us or else we’ll end up like Adam Sandler from “Click.”
So, when Ryan Braun is honored Sunday at Miller -- sorry, American Family Field -- drink it all in. The sights, the sounds, the memories.
Ryan Braun Forever.