![\"Kevin_millwood\"](\"http:\/\/chrisschroder.typepad.com\/.shared\/image.html?\/photos\/uncategorized\/2007\/11\/18\/kevin_millwood.jpg\" "\\"Kevin_millwood\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe entire courtroom perked up. \u201cWell, sir,\u201d she continued. \u201cI\u2019ll have you know this is the first time in years that my husband has expressed any interest in coming to work with me.\u201d Kevin made the final cut, as did I. So did a man named Perry Mason, who we later elected foreman. We now had a jury of nine men and three women. Before opening arguments, we were dismissed for lunch.<\/p>\n
As we walked down the hall, I envisioned a crowd running up to Kevin to get his autograph or to shake his hand. The tension was building as we silently walked past the courtroom doors. Suddenly I could hear footsteps running down the hall behind us, no doubt one of Kevin\u2019s fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cSir, sir!\u201d a man was calling. I felt a hand on my shoulder. \u201cMr. Schroder,\u201d the man said to me. I turned around, surprised. \u201cYes,\u201d I said to the young, well-dressed man. \u201cI just wanted to say hello and tell you how much I enjoy your paper. I just graduated from law school and have to observe this trial. When I heard them call your name, I recognized it because I live in Peachtree Hills in Buckhead and have been reading your paper for years. I just want to tell you how glad I am that you all are doing well now. Keep up the good work.\u201d<\/p>\n
I beamed all the way to lunch.<\/p>\n
Later, in the jury room, we all sat around reading the morning newspaper. Kevin\u2019s name was on the front page as possibly being one of the players to be traded to Seattle for Ken Griffey Jr. Finally, someone asked Kevin about the possible trade. Another asked about the Yankees series, and we talked about the Mets. But no one had the guts to ask for an autograph.<\/p>\n
Finally, on our third day, a talkative woman, who had always sat next to Kevin and engaged him in conversation, began to talk about Christmas shopping. Kevin said he did most of his in the clubhouse when the Nike catalog guy came through. She said, \u201cYou keep mentioning the clubhouse, do you work there?\u201d The room fell silent. Surely, she knew what we had been talking about for days. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it a golf club? Are you a golfer?\u201d We all laughed nervously.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, ma\u2019am. I play on the Atlanta Braves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you the pitcher?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, well, then you have to give me your autograph.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, everyone else started pulling out items they had been quietly storing: a baseball, a Braves cap, a ticket stub to a World Series game he pitched. Someone passed him a copy of our newspaper, which I had brought for the jurors to read. Then everyone started passing copies of our newspaper for him to sign, including me. He signed the front page of every one.<\/p>\n
In our business, we always hope people will hang on to our issues. Thanks to Kevin, I know that issue will be kept for a long time. <\/p>\n
Photo: Kevin Millwood when he was with the Atlanta Braves<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n