Kid is Having a Ball as World Series Gets Going

When Jake Hartline had a baseball signed by both Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, there was no way of knowing the two former Cleveland Indians teammates and Cy Young Award winners would be facing off in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series.

The Haverford Middle School seventh-grader and his family attended an Indians spring training game against the Houston Astros in 2008, the last year the team spent spring training at their former facility in Winter Haven, Fla.

He snagged the autographs before the game, first spotting 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee, who pitched his first game in a Phillies uniform July 31.

The laid-back left-hander wasn’t pitching that night and took some time to talk with fans.

“We were standing in line and Cliff Lee was standing there signing autographs, so I got his autograph,” said Hartline, the 12-year-old son of Daily Times photographer Eric Hartline.

Soon after getting Lee’s autograph, he spotted the now-Yankees starting pitcher Sabathia, who had won the 2007 American League Cy Young award just months earlier.

“CC Sabathia was walking from one practice field to the other. I asked him to sign my ball, but he shook his head and said no, but then he took the ball and signed it anyway,” said Jake Hartline.

Hartline collects other sports memorabilia, such as baseball cards and mini-bats. He keeps the Lee and Sabathia signed ball on display in his room with his other autographed baseballs, he said.

Though his favorite team is the Chicago Cubs, Hartline didn’t hesitate when asked who he wants to win this year’s Wold Series.

“The Phillies,” he said.

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