3-Year-Old Tosses Back Foul Ball During Phillies Game

[Family Ties Forever!]

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Little Girl's Foul Toss Makes Dad A Celeb
3-Year-Old Tosses Back Foul Ball During Phillies Game
Rob Maaddi, AP Sports Writer

Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Updated: 8:15 pm CDT September 16, 2009



Philadelphia -- Dad could not believe his good luck.

Steve Monforto made a great grab, catching his first foul ball after years of going to Phillies games. He fist-bumped his buddies, high-fived his 3-year-old daughter and then handed her the prize.

Big mistake.

Little Emily threw the ball over the railing.

Stunned by his toddler's toss Tuesday night, all Pop could do was hug her.

"I didn't want her to think she did anything wrong," Monforto said on WIP-AM radio Wednesday.

Philly crowds are known for being a tough bunch, but everyone at Citizens Bank Park cheered -- first his catch, then his cuddle.

"This was the true reflection of what Philly fans are like," said Bonnie Clark, the team's vice president of communications.

Cameras captured the scene of Monforto reaching over the railing and snagging Jayson Werth's foul in the fifth inning against Washington.

The video was displayed at the top of the Yahoo! Web page and made the NBC national news. The entire family is scheduled to appear on the "Today" show Thursday.

Monforto and his daughter still went home with a baseball. A few of them, actually.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and three team employees saw what happened and each grabbed a ball and went up to the stands.

"He was very appreciative," Phillies executive Mike Stiles said.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Marvo301]

I saw this on the news earlier. The poor Dad was just in shock at what his daughter did. But then as the shock started to wear off he grabbed her and gave her a big hug. What a sweet moment. I'm glad the Phils made sure they didn't go home empty handed!

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I saw this on the news earlier. The poor Dad was just in shock at what his daughter did. But then as the shock started to wear off he grabbed her and gave her a big hug. What a sweet moment. I'm glad the Phils made sure they didn't go home empty handed!

Michael Wilboun of PTI sad that when the cameras was off Phillies probably threw a beer at the little girl-LOL

LOL

[Wreckless]

I was at this game when it happened 2 nights ago and it was hilarious, yet that's what she probably knew to do when given the ball.

[Wreckless]

Originally Posted by TheLifeAdjuster

Michael Wilboun of PTI sad that when the cameras was off Phillies probably threw a beer at the little girl-LOL

LOL

Wilbon is a lethargic moron. He's always taken shots @ Philly. When was the last time the Cubs won a world series, Mike?

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Wreckless

Wilbon is a lethargic moron. He's always taken shots @ Philly. When was the last time the Cubs won a world series, Mike?

Wilbon can be funny, but he often acts like a jerk as well, as he did in this case, with that comment.

For the record, the whole family appeared on the Today Show

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Tweety

Wilbon can be funny, but he often acts like a jerk as well, as he did in this case, with that comment.

For the record, the whole family appeared on the Today Show

They appeared on the Today Show behind a ball? Well that was kind of STUPID-lol

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by TheLifeAdjuster

They appeared on the Today Show behind a ball? Well that was kind of STUPID-lol

It's really amazing these days... instant celebrity at age 3

Still, both of those kids are cute, which makes it a nice little story.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Wreckless

I was at this game when it happened 2 nights ago and it was hilarious, yet that's what she probably knew to do when given the ball.

lol, I wondered if you happened to have been there that evening, I know you obviously go to a LOT of Philly games.

One thing though... could you tell what happened to the ball Emily threw back down? Was the crowd below on the lookout for it?

If I were below, and I saw that happen and I caught the ball she threw, I'd honestly try to get up to where they were sitting and return the ball to them. It's fine if I catch a foul ball myself, but I wouldn't want to get one that way.

[gidgetgrape]

So sweet! It's nice to read a story about a dad that isn't psychotic.

[browneyes106]

I also saw it on the Today Show. Very cute story.

[Wreckless]

Originally Posted by Tweety

lol, I wondered if you happened to have been there that evening, I know you obviously go to a LOT of Philly games.

One thing though... could you tell what happened to the ball Emily threw back down? Was the crowd below on the lookout for it?

If I were below, and I saw that happen and I caught the ball she threw, I'd honestly try to get up to where they were sitting and return the ball to them. It's fine if I catch a foul ball myself, but I wouldn't want to get one that way.

They didn't really show the crowd. They were up high, but the way they showed it on the screen, it made it look like they were way down low, cause they only showed the dad smiling and having a funny look on his face. yeah i think the phillies staff/organization gave them a ball anyway I heard, but somebody got the actual ball that she threw down, yeah. Yeah that's kinda interesting. Most people might not give it back to her, Tweety lol.

[catlover79]

Sorry if I seem mean, but I am really sick of hearing about this story. It's all over the local news, national news, internet, etc. I can see why they would show the story the first day after it happened, but it just doesn't seem to go away. This guy was even a guest on Today, which seems to be overkill. Just my opinion, of course...

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Sorry if I seem mean, but I am really sick of hearing about this story. It's all over the local news, national news, internet, etc. I can see why they would show the story the first day after it happened, but it just doesn't seem to go away. This guy was even a guest on Today, which seems to be overkill. Just my opinion, of course...

Fear not, it'll be over soon... I think

Only thing is, the next 15 minutes of fame will go to the person who caught the ball that Emily threw down

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Wreckless

They didn't really show the crowd. They were up high, but the way they showed it on the screen, it made it look like they were way down low, cause they only showed the dad smiling and having a funny look on his face. yeah i think the phillies staff/organization gave them a ball anyway I heard, but somebody got the actual ball that she threw down, yeah. Yeah that's kinda interesting. Most people might not give it back to her, Tweety lol.

Since you're a Phillies fan, I thought I'd pass along some meaningless trivia for you lol

The first night game I ever attended in person took place on September 10, 1971 (a Friday). Phillies vs Mets at Shea Stadium.

The Mets won that game 4-3, Jerry Koosman beat Rick Wise. The only HR of the game was hit by Deron Johnson of the Phillies That was Johnson's 31st HR of the season. The late Danny Frisella got the save for the Mets. Johnson's HR sailed into the left field (Phillies) bullpen, a line drive shot.

Tim McCarver was the Phillies' catcher that night.

Starting lineups:

Philadelphia Phillies
1. Larry Bowa SS
2. Tim McCarver C
3. Mike Anderson CF
4. Deron Johnson 3B
5. Greg Luzinski 1B
6. Willie Montanez RF
7. Don Money 2B
8. Larry Hisle LF
9. Rick Wise P

New York Mets
1. Bud Harrelson SS
2. Wayne Garrett 3B
3. Cleon Jones LF
4. Ed Kranepool 1B
5. Mike Jorgensen CF
6. Ken Singleton RF
7. Jerry Grote C
8. Ted Martinez 2B
9. Jerry Koosman P


Even though you weren't around in those days, you probably recognize a few of these names...if nothing else, from Oldtimers days that you've seen lol.

Box score and play by play - Mets/Phillies Sept 10 1971

I was also at Veteran's stadium in 1973, when Johnny Bench hit 3 Homers off of Steve Carlton. That marked the second time Bench had homered 3x in a game against Carlton, the other time being in 1970, when Carlton was still pitching for St Louis.

Box Score - Bench 3 HRs off Carlton