SSH2005 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws Ron Howard visits White Sox camp Oscar-winning director plays the field, poses for pictures By Scott Merkin / MLB.com TUCSON, Ariz. -- The White Sox had a new addition to their roster on Sunday, but he made more of a splash in the clubhouse than he did on the field. Ron Howard, the Academy Award-winning director of A Beautiful Mind, and the acclaimed actor from television's Happy Days and The Andy Griffith Show and such movies as American Graffiti, was in uniform for the defending World Series champion during Sunday morning's pregame workout. Howard shagged fly balls and actually received a lesson on throwing the knuckleball from Charles Haeger. Howard also posed for more than a few pictures with the players and coaches, and spoke to the media about his strong feelings for the game of baseball. "Every so often, and it has been many years, I have had a chance to do this kind of thing, but never in Spring Training," said Howard of his day with the White Sox. "This is a big thrill. It is like fantasy camp for me. "I missed the whole last baseball season because I was in Europe doing The Da Vinci Code. Tom Hanks and I, who were big fans, we kept reading about this miracle season these guys were having. I can't wait to tell him that I actually got to hang out with these guys." The thrill was definitely mutual. Howard's connection to the White Sox is through hitting coach Greg Walker, who has been friends with the talented director/actor for years. The two met through a mutual friend, Jim Ritz, who was a writer for the Happy Days series. Walker hosted Howard for dinner on Saturday, and the two were joined by first baseman Paul Konerko and left fielder Scott Podsednik. Though Howard wanted to talk about baseball and Chicago's great 2005 campaign, the players wanted to talk about the film industry. And there's plenty to talk about as far as Howard is concerned. He directed such great films as Cinderella Man, Apollo 13, Night Shift and Parenthood, and his resume features 28 movies dating back from 1969. "Everything he does turns to gold," said Walker of Howard. "Everyone in here is a huge fan of his. He's excellent at what he does, if not the best in the world at what he does. He also has a deep passion for baseball. "He's fun to be around. He's a good person, enjoys baseball and is so easy to talk to. You would think a person of his stature, you would be nervous being around him. He makes you so comfortable." In addition to his early work in the field, Howard brought the lineup card to home plate before Sunday's game and sat in the dugout during the contest with the Angels at Tucson Electric Park. He was only able to stay the one day, heading back to Los Angeles on Sunday night to continue work on The Da Vinci Code. Howard knows a thing or two about competition, aside from trying to produce the top-grossing or award-winning films each year. When he played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, the show had a softball team that traveled around the country playing exhibition games. Henry Winkler, better known as "The Fonz," was the pitcher, and Clint Howard, Ron's brother, served as the team's catcher. It's hard to keep up that skill level when another job limits your baseball work to once every decade, but Howard certainly made an effort on Sunday. "It was tough to see out there today, and the speed of the game kind of got him," said Walker with a smile. "But the guys enjoyed talking to him, and he really enjoyed it. It was good for everyone. "Meeting people like that, who are so great at what they do, is always a good thing. It's interesting to find out what they think and how they operate." When asked about filming a baseball movie, Howard said that some of the luster was lost for him, because some very good baseball films already have been made. It's also a difficult sport to film and an expensive film to make, according to Howard, without huge interest outside the U.S., Latin America and Japan. That interest could change, though, through the World Baseball Classic. Howard's greatest desire is to film movies with "fascinating characters and unusual situations." The White Sox players and winning their first title since 1917 would fit in both categories. For now, Howard is satisfied with just being around the White Sox as a famous fan. "I have been able to sit in on a couple of coaches meetings, and it was fascinating to see that on an organizational level, how meticulous everyone is," he said. "It reminded me how I was in my meetings. "The guys who are in the middle of it, I don't know even if they realize what it takes and how they need to excel on so many different levels, psychologically and physically, in terms of how they interact to have a great career and to be part of a championship team." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Oh my God, he looks homeless. Get the Sox apparrel off of him! So, wait. Tom Hanks is a Sox fan, and so's Ron Howard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 We have the one great ginger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baines3 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Is Ron Howard actually a Sox fan, or was it just a promotional thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Richie Cunningham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 07:02 PM) Oh my God, he looks homeless. Get the Sox apparrel off of him! So, wait. Tom Hanks is a Sox fan, and so's Ron Howard? i believe the article meant that they are big fans of baseball. in fact if iirc tom hanks is a red sox fan and was on tv in the stands when the red sox were in the world series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santo=dorf Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Looks like an older version of Roy Halladay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Ron Howard helped create Arrested Development. That gets him a spring training look in and of itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurcieOne Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Tom Hanks is an Oakland A's fan... they did a documentary about the A's and he was a part of it.... he could have changed alligances though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(MurcieOne @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 09:23 PM) Tom Hanks is an Oakland A's fan... they did a documentary about the A's and he was a part of it.... he could have changed alligances though hmmm he is from oakland, but i just read here and a few other places that says hes a die hard indians fan....maybe thats where i saw him, not red sox but indians http://www.answers.com/topic/tom-hanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin57 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(daa84 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 10:29 PM) hmmm he is from oakland, but i just read here and a few other places that says hes a die hard indians fan....maybe thats where i saw him, not red sox but indians http://www.answers.com/topic/tom-hanks Eh, another hollywood type...not too faithful to anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinningUgly85 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Tom Hanks was at Fenway at the 2004 World Series sitting on the green monster. He says he an American League fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideNorthsideFan Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 08:02 PM) Oh my God, he looks homeless. Get the Sox apparrel off of him! hahahahahahahaaa!!!! he always looks like that... i guess when you're that talented and loaded you don't give a crap ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baines3 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I would rather see Ron Howard wearing White Sox gear instead of the Cubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I remember watching some MLB production "Voice of the game" where they had all the players clips from when they were miked up this year. (Ozzie won one of the awards for biggest mouth ) but anyway I remember they had interviews with Ron Howard and he is a Brooklyn/LA dodgers fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro1983hat Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 OPIE CUNNINGHAM!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 08:36 PM) Ron Howard helped create Arrested Development. That gets him a spring training look in and of itself. absolutely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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