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Kevin Corbin - Baseball
Kevin Corbin worked as a batboy for the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1995 season (following baseball's disastrous strike year of 1994), until he graduated from St. Louis University in 2000. During those years, most of which Tony LaRussa managed the team, Kevin was working as the team's batboy for the epic home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998, and for the Cardinal's pennant race in 2000. During his years with the Cardinals, he saw many of baseball's greats, including Cal Ripken, Jnr., Ozzie Smith and Willie McGhee, and shared numerous colorful stories about his experiences.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
McGwire breaks the record
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Youth and years as a St. Louis Cardinals batboy from 1995-1996
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Experiences as a St. Louis Cardinals bat boy from 1995 to 2000
Videos
Photos
Caption
This photo of Kevin Corbin at the ballpark in October, 1995 appeared in the October 9, 1995 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, accompanying an article about his new job as a bat boy.
Where:
St. Louis
When:
October, 1995
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Kevin Corbin’s signature, which he developed during a competition with his fellow batboys in 1997. They were always impressed by the players’ ability to sign baseballs and other souvenirs. Kevin came in second.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1997
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
By 4:00 PM on game days, (this one was in 1997) the bat boys had to be prepping the bull pen, making sure that water, Powerade, sun flower seeds and chewing gum were ready for the players.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1997
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin Corbin runs back unused baseballs in 1998 after Mark McGwire hit another home run in the midst of his home run race with Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. The league provided the team with specially marked balls for McGwire at-bats.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1998
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
One of Kevin’s many duties was to take water out to all the umpires between innings during hot and muggy weather. Here he is with the 2nd base umpire for a game in 1999.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin and Kristian Corbin pose for a photo at the Cardinals on-deck circle during the 2000 season.
Where:
St Louis
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin had just delivered several balls to the home plate umpire between innings during the Cardinal’s 2000 season at Busch Stadium.
Where:
St. Louis
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin had a seat on the field behind home plate during this game in the 2000 season. It was his job to deliver several balls to the home plate umpire whenever needed. It was important to keep alert for foul tips.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Josh Fegnes, Corbin’s fellow batboy, and Kevin are at work setting up the on-deck circle with two weighted bats, a pine tar stick and rag, plus a rosin bag and two bat donuts.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin Corbin and Josh Fegnes patiently waiting during a game in the Cardinals 2000 season. Josh handled the bats that day, and Kevin the balls, the job he preferred.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Between at bats, Kevin’s job was to replenish the home plate umpire with five or six baseballs. The Cardinals were playing the Pittsburg Pirates that day in 2000.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Whenever foul balls hit the back stop, Kevin had to hustle out to retrieve the ball. They were usually used for batting practice the next day. Outfielder Eric Davis is at bat during this 2000 season game.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin delivers water to the home plate umpire during a Cardinals game in 2000.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Annie Corbin visits with outfielder Eric Davis during batting practice before a game in 2000. Kevin is next to her, and groundskeeper Tim Forneris is on the right, in the white shirt. Annie sometimes brought home cooked food to the players.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kristian relaxes before a game in the visiting Cincinnati Reds dugout during the 2000 season.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin had baby-sitting duty during a game in July, 2000. Janella, Kevin’s cousin, thoroughly enjoyed her day at Busch Stadium. She had plenty of souvenirs by the end of the game.
Where:
St. Louis
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kristian and Kevin Corbin were guests of an F-15 Eagles squadron in September 2000, the unit’s thanks for helping several members got autographed baseballs earlier that year. They were at the Chesterfield, Missouri air show.
Where:
Chesterfield, Missouri
When:
September 2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kevin and Kristian pose at home plate with their mother Annie before a September, 2000 game. Kristian often performed batboy duties for the visiting team, in this case the Cincinnati Reds.
Where:
St. Louis
When:
September 2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kristian collects an elbow guard from Albert Pujols, the Cardinals slugger who played for the team from 2001 through 2011. Since Kevin left the team after the 2000 season, he missed his chance to work with the All-Star Pujols.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kristian collects an elbow guard from Albert Pujols, the Cardinals slugger who played for the team from 2001 through 2011. Since Kevin left the team after the 2000 season, he missed his chance to work with the All-Star Pujols.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo