Tom Candiotti: In Person Autographs

Sports 620 KTAR, the local sports radio station in the Phoenix, Arizona area sponsered an event today that showcased former Major League Baseball knuckleballer and current Arizona Diamondbacks color analyst, Tom Candiotti.

Tom Candiotti pitched majors from 1983 -1984 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent 1985 in the minor leagues before returning to the majors in 1986 with the Cleveland Indians. He pitched for the Indians from 1986 to 1991. He split the 1991 season between the Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays. he spent 1992 -1997 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, He spent 1998 and part of the 1999 season with the Oakland A's before returning to the Cleveland Indians where he pitched in 7 games during the 1999 season and then retired from baseball. In 16 seasons Tom used his trademark pitch, the knuckball, to accumulate 151 wins, a 3.73 ERA and 1735 strikeouts.

I took my two boys out to meet Mr. Candiotti. Tom was great and very personable. He even taught my boys how to throw a knuckleball (see the picture below). I brought 9 cards for him to sign and a few doubles for him to keep, which he accepted graciously. After signing my cards he signed a ball for my boys. Check out his signature. It's one of the best I have ever seen! They had ballons for the kids and a place for them to practice their throwing. My boys had a great time! Thanks to Mr. Candiotti and KTAR for setting up such a great event! If you are in the Phoenix area, they are having similar events with Mr. Candiotti each of the next two Saturdays. For more details you can check out the event page on found here.