Fantasy Meeting: Fans turn out for rare opportunity to meet Cy Young winner Cliff Lee

By Brian Livingston / blivingston@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN — As the youngster walked up to the table where Cliff Lee waited, the child's eyes were as big as the two baseballs he was carrying for the major league pitcher to sign.

For many who spent long minutes waiting in line outside the Dulaney Room of Webb Hall on the campus of Meridian Community College Monday, this was a rare opportunity to meet a Cy Young winner in person. The scope of ages represented by the autograph hounds was broad covering the young and the young at heart.

Scotty Taylor and his wife, Jane, of Meridian, were in line close to the front. Scotty Taylor had no problem admitting he was 70 years old but did hesitate when asked about his Major League allegiance.

"I'm really a Yankees fan but I couldn't miss this opportunity to meet Cliff," Taylor said with a somewhat sheepish grin. "I was rooting against Philly but for him when they played in the World Series a few years ago."

Seven-year old Caleb Dyess was all grins and giddy holding two snow white baseballs. He was grinning because his dad, Derrick Dyess, got him out of school in Jackson to come all the way to Meridian.
"I've been collecting cards and I have a Cliff Lee first year card for him to sign," said Derrick Dyess.

Jen Loft has to be voted the wife of the year as she kept tabs on her two-year old son Everett and Avery, four months, as she waited for the signing to begin. Loft was there after volunteering to get an autograph for her husband, Tom, who is a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Meridian.

"We are both from Philly (Pennsylvania) and have been big fans," said Loft. "Plus I'm trying to make some brownie points with Tom."

Lee and former Mississippi State coach Ron Polk headlined the "Meet the Eagles" Banquet, which began at 7 p.m. at Kahlmus Auditorium on the Mississippi State University-Meridian campus.

Lee was drafted by the Florida Marlins with the 12th pick of the 8th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft out of Benton High School in his hometown of Benton, Ark., but instead chose to attend Meridian Community College in Mississippi. Later, Lee was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign, opting to attend the University of Arkansas.

In the 2000 amateur draft, he was chosen in the 4th round by the Montreal Expos and signed in July of that year. Lee won the American League Cy Young Award in 2008 when he won 22 games with a 2.54 ERA. On Dec. 15, 2010, Lee signed a free-agent contract with Philadelphia for five years and $120 million with a vesting option for a sixth year.

It was hard to figure out which one of the three McElroy children wanted to see Lee the most. There was 12-year old Madison who is a softball star, her two brothers, Will, 9, and Jake, 6, and mom, Susan McElroy.

"I'm the most excited to see him," proclaimed Will McElroy.

"All three of them love to watch baseball with their dad, Todd," said Susan McElroy smiling at her kids. "These balls, once signed, will be put under glass cases and kept."