Former Cardinal and Cubs pitcher Lee Smith

To celebrate the grand opening of the new Springfield Menards store,
former St. Louis Cardinal and Chicago Cubs pitcher Lee Smith
was invited to visit with customers on August 30, 2006.

There was a long line and not everyone who showed up got to meet him.

The shopping cart was put into place as the cut-off between who would get to meet him and who wouldn't.

My place in line was behind the shopping cart, so I didn't get an autograph or a chance to meet him on this day.

In situations like this where the guest is running out of scheduled time, one way to handle the situation is to have the celebrity walk the line and at least meet the people in line that way.

There were some people who said they traveled from St. Louis who were behind that dreaded shopping cart, so they too were told they wouldn't get a chance to meet the guest athlete.

My ride informed me that my time was up at the store, so I had to leave before finding out if my place in line would've gotton to meet Mr. Smith. Maybe next time...

Update on Lee Smith

12/27/2006 12:24 AM ET

Lee Smith hoping Bruce Sutter paved path to Baseball Hall of Fame

Former saves leader looks to join fellow closer in Cooperstown

By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Visit the Springfield, IL email list at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/springfieldillinois/

http://springfieldphotos.blogspot.com/

The Cub's Ryan O'Malley and Ron Santo visit Springfield.

Ryan O'Malley and the Chicago Cubs

You know you've made it big when they're naming pets after you!

Congrats Ryan!

Ryan's feat was featured all over the local paper.


On the front page, the sports page and even in the editorials.

(Update: page has aged off of the web)
http://www.sj-r.com/frontpages/081706Page1.pdf

O'Malley makes dream debut for Cubs
By JIM RUPPERT SPORTS EDITOR
Published Thursday, August 17, 2006
http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/93550.asp

http://www.sj-r.com/static/cubsblog.asp

OOOOOOOO'Malley
SHG grad throws eight scoreless innings, wins big league debut
http://www.sj-r.com/sections/sports/stories/93564.asp




I wonder if the local stores will start selling Cubs jerseys with O'Malley 48 on them.
(When I see 48, I just think "Rick Reuschel".

Would you believe Ryan already has his own Wikipedia page?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_O%27Malley

++++++++++++

Yep, he has a video at youtube.com

Ryan O'Malley Gets A Pie In The Face
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8nFxJHNCY

Use this search to see if more become available...
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Ryan+O%27Malley&search=Search

+++++++++++++

Of course, the SJ-R is covering this story!
They've even added a message board for the game.

O'Malley earns start vs. Moyer
http://www.sj-r.com/sections/sports/stories/93937.asp

+++++++++++++++

Lincoln Land's Student Spotlight
http://www.llcc.edu/spotlight/OMalley.aspx

Ryan is mentioned on Len & Bob's WGN Podcast
http://wgntv.trb.com/sports/custom/weblog/wgnsports/archives/2006/08/index.html

From ABC news
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2321173

Flashback: O'Malley Always the Battling Type
http://cubs.scout.com/2/557815.html

cubs.com player info
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=456133

Sports Illustrated webpage for Ryan
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7836/

ESPN Player card
http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28548

++++++++++++++

O'Malley manufactures Minute Maid miracle
By Bruce Miles Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Thursday, August 17, 2006

HOUSTON: Cubs manager Dusty Baker termed left-hander Ryan O'Malley's
pitching performance Wednesday "sent from above."

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp?id=217460

++++++++++++++++

Read about O'Malley in the Taiwan news
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=155616〈=eng_news&cate_img=145.jpg&cate_rss=news_Sports

and the Chicago Suburban News
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/sports/3_2_EL17_C3CUBS_S10817.asp

and the Lincoln Courier
http://www.lincolncourier.com/story.asp?SID=2631&SEC=10

+++++++++++

O'Malley to lure hometown flock
By Paul Sullivan Tribune staff reporter
Published August 21, 2006

A caravan of Ryan O'Malley fans will be traveling up Interstate Hwy.
55 from Springfield on Tuesday to watch the Cubs' rookie make his
Wrigley Field debut against ex-Cub Jamie Moyer.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060821cubsbits,1,2050269.story

Our local paper, the State Journal-Register was mentioned at cubs.com ...
Quote from website...

Hometown hero: O'Malley is the toast of nearby Springfield, Ill.

According to Jim Ruppert, sports editor of the State Journal-Register,

O'Malley's win in his first big-league start on Aug. 16 prompted a

Beverly Hills, Calif., talent agent to inquire about movie rights to

the pitcher's story.

There are at least three billboards in Springfield for Lincoln Land

Community College that use O'Malley's picture -- and that was before

he started and pitched eight shutout innings against the Astros.

08/26/2006 1:17 PM ET

Notes: Walrond to make Cubs debut

Rookie left-hander last appeared in Major Leagues in 2003

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060826&content_id=
1629869&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com


My question for Ryan O'Malley

Chatham is the town south of Springfield, IL which hosts a Sweet Corn festival every summer.
One of the events is the cow chip throwing contest.

See photos of that event here
http://springfieldphotos.blogspot.com/2006/07/chathams-cow-chip-throwing-contest.html

I'd like to know if he ever participated in this event and how did he do?  (Did he win?)

PS: If you're looking to adopt a pet, see who is waiting for adoption by visiting
http://www.petfinder.com/ 
and running a search using your local zip code.
You can view photos of adoptable pets in the local shelters at this site.

Check this page for an update on Ryan O'Malley
http://springfieldphotos.blogspot.com/2006/09/ryan-omalley-with-chicago-cubs.html

NEW! Ryan O'Malley and Ron Santo visit Springfield!
springfieldphotos.blogspot.com/2006/10/cubs-ryan-omalley-and-ron-santo-visit.html