My childhood hero: as selected by former major league stars

Baseball Digest, Sept, 2004 by Jeff Idelson

CHILDHOOD HEROES. THEY ARE A part of our earliest recollections, comprising the fabric of our greatest memories. For every kid aspiring to reach the Hall of Fame, or simply reach any goal along the way, heroes teach us the spirit of competition, the rewards of victory and the mythical greatness of what one can become, through hard work and dedication.

Hall of Fame members share those same characteristics. They were asked to share their childhood heroes. Their answers remind us that heroes can be found in every facet of life, on or off the baseball field.

HANK AARON: Jackie Robinson.

SPARKY ANDERSON: Joe Louis, the boxer.

LUIS APARICIO: Chico Carrasquel was a legend when I was growing up in Venezuela. He handled himself with class and dignity. He was loved and respected by everyone.

ERNIE BANKS: My dad, Eddie Banks. He was there for me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He introduced me to the game. He paid me 10 cents to play catch with him. He worked sun-up to sun-down, but he found time to play catch with me on weekends. As a kid, I was a batboy for the local semipro ball team he played for in Dallas.

JOHNNY BENCH: Mickey Mantle. As a young boy growing up in Oklahoma, it was inspiring to know you could be from Oklahoma and play in the major leagues. Also, Lou Gehrig. I admired his durability and strength.

YOGI BERRA: Joe Medwick. He was my newspaper customer when I was a kid in St. Louis. He was playing for the Cardinals and bought the newspaper from me every day. He would buy the newspaper for three cents, give me a nickel and say, "keep the two cents, kid!" I worked out with him when I got older, and we golfed together.

GEORGE BRETT: My brother, Ken, was my hero when I was a kid. He was the fourth pick in the 1966 draft and pitched in the World Series in 1967. He was a great inspiration and was always there when I needed him. He never let me get ahead of myself. I knew he respected the game and he taught me that same respect.

LOU BROCK: Don Newcombe. Whenever he pitched, the Dodgers had their best chance to win. I followed him and wanted to be like him because he kept his team in games with his pitching, as well as his bat. Upon entering high school, I, too, wanted to hit and pitch like Newcombe. I achieved my mission by high school team to the state of Louisiana baseball tournament, with my own accomplished hitting and pitching.

GARY CARTER: Mickey Mantle.

ORLANDO CEPEDA: My dad, Perucho. They called me Peruchin (Little Perucho) in Puerto Rico. He was such a well-known ballplayer. Everyone knew him. We would travel by bus because we did not have a car and the bus driver wouldn't let him pay. Everyone respected him. All I would ever hear when I was with him was "Perucho, Perucho, Perucho." I am proud to be his son.

BOBBY DOERR: Charlie Gehringer was my hero growing up. Being a second baseman, his style of playing impressed me. When I joined Boston in 1937 and played against him, I was even more impressed with him as a man and the way he played.

DENNIS ECKERSLEY: My boyhood sports hero was Willie Mays and my boyhood hero outside of sports was John F. Kennedy.

BOB FELLER: Rogers Hornsby, the second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a great right-handed hitter who averaged over .400 in a five-year span and also was the Cleveland Indians batting coach in 1947. He was a very good personal friend. I pitched to him in 1936 and 1937 when he managed and pinch-hit for the St. Louis Browns.

ROLLIE FINGERS: Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.

CARLTON FISK: Bill Russell. Growing up in New Hampshire, I always wanted to be a power forward for the Celtics.

WHITEY FORD: I was born and raised in New York City. My brothers and uncles used to take me to Yankee Stadium and we sat in the bleachers. The center fielder was Joe DiMaggio in 1939. He was the first player to become my idol. Little did I know in later years, he would play center field when I pitched!

BOB GIBSON: Jackie Robinson. Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, there wasn't television, just radio. You didn't hear much about baseball outside of the area, but to a young black kid, Jackie was something special.

MONTE IRVIN: Jesse Miles was the local hero when I was a youngster. He preceded me as a four-sport letterman at Orange High School in New Jersey. Not only was he a great performer in baseball, football, basketball and track, but was well-built, educated, very skillful and a perfect gentleman. He helped me in four sports with great insight.

His motto was, "What you will be, you're now becoming." Late in life he became the director of athletics for all of Orange, New Jersey. He lived until he was 90. His name is still revered all over Essex County and throughout the state. In the majors, my hero was Jimmie Foxx--strong, good looking and a great hitter.

FERGUSON JENKINS: Willie Mays. As a kid growing up in Canada, I just thought he was the greatest player of his time.

REGGIE JACKSON: Willie Mays was my man, plus Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson. I really pulled for Jackie because he was the first black player, and he was my dad's favorite player. I would check the newspaper every morning before I went to school and if Willie or Duke got a hit or hit a home run, I was going to have a good day at school. Those guys were that important to me. My favorite basketball player was Wilt Chamberlain and my favorite football players were Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas.