Toddy Goes Stateside

What started off as a pipe-dream last winter, finally became reality this week when Chris Todd, the outstanding find of last season, flew into Philadelphia Airport.

Day 8: Saturday 30th June 2001

Gary, I had a really good laugh when you told me that some of your readers think I'm a literary genius. I am not!

My family had a good laugh every day when they read this Diary because they know the truth. And if my teachers read it, they were crying with laughter.

You should know that here in America, every famous person has a personal editor. I do as well, and I'm NOT famous. : - )

Seriously, I wrote some of it and dictated some of it to Tony, and then he cleaned it up (especially the spelling!) before it was emailed to you. I thought that anyone who took the time to read it had a right to be able to understand it.

By the way, he will also ghost write my first book, "The Addobyogruffy of Chris Todd." I can see the cover now. By Chris Todd "with Tony Santore." (I told you I can't spell.)

This morning, I got up early to finish packing, and had my last lovely breakfast at the Inn. Saying goodbye to Peggy was not easy.

Tony picked me up in his "Pennsylvania Country Limo," and we drove along Route 80 and down the Turnpike to the Philadelphia Airport. We got there in good time, and we had a light supper before I took off. The end of our day together was spent relaxing at Gate C-23 and remembering our week together.

I told Tony that I can't wait to hear how my Wildcat team mates are getting off in their leagues. He promised to send me news every week.

Here are some more things I will always remember about my visit to Pennsylvania.

Laughing and smiling almost all the time. This was a happy time for me.

How friendly everyone was -- and I mean EVERYone!

How much I'm going to miss the kids. I felt like I was a Dad with 70 kids.

How well the pitch was kept all week. My thanks to everyone who worked at the camp and helped to make it a success.

The last thing I said to my kids was, "Keep training and practicing." I believe that the last thing you say is the most likely to be remembered, and that's the message I wanted to leave with them. "Train hard!"

I will remember saying goodbye to Tony's 10-year old, Mike. He almost broke down crying, and I was close to joining him.

By the time you're reading this, I'll be back home, and there'll be no time for me to get over my jet-lag because it's pre-season training on Monday morning!

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