Monday, July 29, 2019

Friend Encounters: Rich Renteria and Eric Soderholm

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebri

Late last year, PL Myers and I interviewed former Major League Baseball player Eric Soderholm for HeroTV. Eric was at SoderWorld, the healing and wellness center his family runs in Willowbrook, IL. It was a thrill to have that experience with one of my childhood baseball heroes and a member of the 1977 Southside Hitmen! Our interview with Eric can be found on the HeroTV YouTube channel at Eric Soderholm Part 1 and Eric Soderholm Part 2.
Eric is still active on the Chicago scene. Earlier this year, he made an appearance at White Sox Fest and seemed to have a great time. He posted many pictures of himself with former teammates and current players.
He posed with current White Sox manager Rich Renteria. The two were never teammates, but the obvious connection is the Sox. While Eric played a huge part in their success of the late 1970's, Renteria is leading the Sox to success now.
Renteria was the victim of bad timing in his short tenure as manager of the Cubs and he took over a woeful Sox team (and organization in general). The teaam has continued to improve under his leadership. While I don't see them legitimately competing for a playoff spot this season (and I am glad they did not trade talent for that longshot), I see them in position for a playoff spot next season.
I love pictures like this. Baseball past and present. Two key figures for the Sox in totally different ers. This is the cool part of baseball to me.

Rich Renteria and Eric Soderholm in Chicago, IL-January 2017.

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