It’s a little overwhelming to walk into a small ballpark--one in which you are used to seeing Cactus League and Arizona Fall League games--and see a group of the greatest American ballplayers. Today was the final pre-World Baseball Classic exhibition with the Giants hosting Team USA with a who’s who of stars: Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Chipper Jones, Chase Utley, Roger Clements…and the list goes on.

I did have a battery issue with my JVC camera, so the coverage is split into two. This segment includes most of the pre-game excitement; the ext clip (shot in MPEG-4) will have more of the in-game activity.

Here I thought I had this great coup for my Hall of Fame Series. Standing two feet in front of me was Lee Smith, former relief pitcher for the Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees and 15 other teams. He has 478 lifetime saves and was a multiple “Fireman of the Year” award winner, but is not in the Hall of Fame despite impressive credentials.

I thought he was enshrined in Cooperstown, but Smith informed me he is not. Believe me, one look at Smith’s imposing presence, and you are not about to argue. Smith still looks like he could take the mound and blow hitters away. BTW, how he became pitching coach for the South Africa team is still a bit of a mystery, but the story has something to do with Smith meeting a British man in a bar and….