J.T. in Millbrae

Yesterday afternoon the youngster carefully inserted the picture of Giant’s first baseman J.T. Snow into a plastic bag and tucked the bag under his jacket to protect it from the driving rain. It took 20 minutes to motor the 10 miles north to Millbrae, the wiper blades waving furiously in a vain attempt to sweep the sheets of water from the windshield. We pulled into the crowded parking lot and joined 200 other people outside Lefty’s Sports Collectibles.

Our number was 71, but we were admitted quickly because many autograph-seekers with lower numbers hadn’t arrived yet. J.T. signed the youngster’s picture within half an hour.

In 2004 J.T. Snow had one of his best years when he batted .327, which was 60 points higher than his career average. But to many fans he is worthy of hero-worship because of just one play: in the 2002 World Series he reached back as he was crossing home plate to lift 3-year-old bat boy Darren Baker out of harm’s way. Let us remember this one beneficent, instinctive act in contrast to the behavior of other players who have brought scorn and scandal to the American pastime.