Mets' Marlon Anderson Ready to Witness History - Rod_Carew29's Blog

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Mets' Marlon Anderson Ready to Witness History

Posted on January 19, 2009 at 06:45 PM.

(4)

01/19/09 3:35 PM EST

Anderson ready to witness history
Mets' top pinch-hitter travels to D.C. for Obama inauguration
By Marty Noble / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Given his druthers, Marlon Anderson would witness the inauguration of Barack Obama from a vantage point with greater proximity to history than the one he is likely to have Tuesday. He made a few runs at gaining VIP status. But an invitation was too hip a ticket even for a man with some connections. Anderson will be a VIP on Tuesday nonetheless -- very impressed person.
The swearing in of Obama as the 44th president of the United States will send a chill through Anderson, no matter the temperature in Washington, D.C.

"It's the biggest event in my life," Anderson said Sunday.

In that regard, it has displaced Obama's election two months ago.

Invited or not and regardless of the weather, "I had to be there to see history," Anderson said. "Whether you voted for him or not, this is history. How many opportunities do you get to witness something this historic?"

Anderson, the Mets' top pinch-hitter and perhaps the lone African-American on the Mets' Opening Day roster, and his wife, Shadia, have made the trip from their home in Houston to the nation's capitol. Anderson made the reservations the day after Obama was elected.

"No way I'd miss it," Anderson said.

They will walk some five or six blocks Tuesday morning, armed with a camera, coffee and a sense of the significance, and take their places among the thousands. Anderson won't be a big league player; he'll be wearing the uniform of the proletariat as well as new gloves, hand warmers inside his shoes and "what a country" sense of pride.

He wonders where the moments will take his emotions.

Anderson had hoped to bring his son and daughter. But their ages -- seven and eight -- the forecast and the likely crush of humanity dissuaded him.

"They'll come to know how important the day is," Anderson said.

His words sounded more like a vow.

"We're not packed yet, and we both are excited," Anderson said Sunday. "Can you believe where we're going and what we're going to see? Amazing."

Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Comments

# 1 Rod_Carew29 @ Jan 20

@ NEWYORICAN

Hola mi primo! Como estas. Espero que usted y su familia son bien. Thank you...I forgot that it was he (PRESIDENT Obama) who threw out the first pitch in the 2005 ALCS.

And like yourself, I'm not missing this historiacl day for anything. I've waited 51 years and that day has finally (thank GOD) come!

I just wish that my mom, dad, grandparents (on both sides of the family) and my wife were here to witness this ;-(

paz siempre!
tell everyone down there Vince says hi! lol

lata!

# 2 OnTheEdge25 @ Jan 23

Greatest moment in history. So glad I could make it down there. Crowds and cold can't stop any of us. I will never forget Tuesday January 20th, 2009.

# 3 Rod_Carew29 @ Jan 23

@ OnTheEdge

I didn't make it, but between my friends and my being glued to the TV, it all came together in my heart!

Goooooooooooooooooooo OBAMA!!!

I'll remember that day for the rest of my life!!!