Ah, to be young again…
MLB took its annual trip to Williamsport, Penn. for the 2022 Little League Classic and brought one of its best young players with it in Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman is arguably the league’s best hitting catchers and he’s only a rookie. He looks like the next coming of Buster Posey with the bat and the glove. And he’s the perfect inspiration for kids hoping to make the grade in the big leagues.
Rutschman showed as much throughout the day in Williamsport ahead of the O’s-Red Sox showdown Sunday night, kicking it with the kiddos in every form and fashion. He completed the Williamsport circuit, making his way to the iconic hillside at Lamade Field.
MORE: MLB Little League Classic TV coverage, location, uniforms & more for Red Sox vs. Orioles
Like any youngster who has gotten a glance at that steep, steep peak, Rutschman just had to slide down. It was immaculate.
Adley Rutschman hill slide pic.twitter.com/mVtYs6k8YY
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) August 21, 2022
A man of the people 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4NaZItibEP
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 21, 2022
👀 @RutschmanAdley incoming! pic.twitter.com/HrUQWGi2g2
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
That wasn’t all Rutschman did. The AL Rookie of the Year contender decided to snap a photo of baseball’s next generation of ballers during his time in Williamsport.
Just a fan snapping pics 🤩 #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/exfyn7DIl7
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
You better believe that picture will be worth some serious dough in a couple years time.
MORE: What channel is the Little League Classic on today?
Rutschman even asked for autographs from some of his Little League contemporaries on Sunday. Because of course he did. What a guy.
“I’m going signature for signature” – @RutschmanAdley ✍️#LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/NWyWqLrOGN
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
Rutschman’s teammates got involved in some of the action, as well. Here’s Jorge Mateo, Cedric Mullins and a couple other O’s players having conversations with a few Little Leaguers over the course of the day.
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
Red Sox players Kike Hernandez and Reese McGuire chopped it up with some of Team Canada’s players, too.
Canada hanging with @kikehndez & Reese McGuire#LLWS75 pic.twitter.com/MkUHb9tL6w
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
You have to wonder if the kids talked a little trash, perhaps mentioning the Blue Jays’ 28-5 mauling of Boston back in July.
Nonetheless, Williamsport played host to a number of players — young and old — showing admiration for the game they love.
A Little League tradition 🛝#LittleLeagueClassic | @Orioles pic.twitter.com/STBfIJphCr
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 21, 2022
It doesn’t get much better than that.
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