Major League Baseball

Swisher giddy over signed ball from Eddie Murray

Published Jun. 10, 2010 4:55 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Getting an autograph at the baseball park is a time-honored practice, one that Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher took to a new level Wednesday at Camden Yards.

With New York broadcaster Ken Singleton serving as the middle man, Swisher got a signature he long coveted: Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.

Swisher long ago asked Singleton to arrange a meeting with Murray, a former teammate of Singleton's on the Baltimore Orioles. Knowing that Murray was in the ballpark as guest color commentator for Wednesday night's Orioles-Yankees game, Swisher urged Singleton to make it happen.

About 30 minutes later, Singleton and Murray walked into the Yankees' clubhouse together.

After listening to several stories from Murray and Singleton about their days together with the Orioles, Swisher was able to get his boyhood idol to autograph a baseball. Walking back to his locker with the prized possession, Swisher proclaimed, ``Now that's the ball!''

Swisher said he was partially inspired to become a switch-hitter by watching Murray as a youngster. He couldn't contain his excitement upon finally getting to meet him.

``Eddie Murray is one of the best, if not the best, switch-hitters of all-time. As a switch-hitter, you look up to a guy like that,'' Swisher said. ``Just to meet him and talk to him was a real thrill for me.''

Said Singleton: ``He's been wanting to meet Eddie for a long time and I'm glad we were finally able to get them together.''

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball