Schmitz named All-Star Among Us

Comments (...)

Joe Schmitz shows his enthusiasm while at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago for the World Series in 2005. Schmitz was honored by an online vote as one of People Magazine's "All-Stars Among Us." (Photo provided)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Comments

Share

Joe Schmitz has two loves outside of his family, Operation St. Nick and Chicago White Sox.

To combine the two together would only be a dream.

It's a dream that came true after his son Tad nominated him for  People and Major League Baseball's “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, which recognizes individuals who are serving their communities in extraordinary ways. 

"I was honored and humbled to be among the three finalists," said Joe. "I was hoping for a call saying I won but I wasn't expecting it."

Joe received the call over the weekend telling him he was indeed the White Sox Winner.

"People called me over the weekend and told me and sent me an email telling me I couldn't release the information and I had to keep quiet," he said. "That was the hardest thing."

Joe said he can't find the words to explain the overwhelming feeling.

"I thought of my dad and all the games we went to games," he said. "It's beyond imagination."

Joe said he's excited for the chance to attend the game but he's also excited to tell everyone about the community he comes from.

"I hope to tell everyone, tell the nation, what a great community Grundy County and Morris is," he said.

He said it doesn't surprise him he won because the same giving community that bands together to give to Operation St. Nick each year banded together for him.

"I'm as over the moon as my dad," said Tad. "It isn't just about honoring my dad but is a testament to small communities everywhere like Morris who with 10,000 to 12,000 people out shined all others."

Family and baseball is a reoccuring theme in the Schmitz household.

Not only did Joe's dad take him to games his entire life but Joe in turn has taken his children to games to bond and share his love.

Tad recalls the many games he has gone to and the memories they've made, so it was exciting for him to find out his mother gave up her seat next to dad at the awards dinner and all star game so Tad could go with him.

"It's a great father son opportunity to bond over baseball," said Tad. "I have so many memories of us at baseball games."

Both Joe an Tad agree the best memory of a game was the 2005 world series game.

"To go to the Sox World Series with my dad was great," said Tad. "He never had the opportunity to go with his dad, it was such a big deal to go with him and have that experience."

Tad also has vivid memories of a famous game in 1976 when he was only seven years old and the disco demolition was held.

"My dad tucked me under him while records were flying around like birds," said Tad. "But I felt safe with him. It's a memory I'll never forget I thought we were in the middle of a riot."

Comments