100-Year-Old Batboy Decades-Long Sox Fan

(CBS)  At home in Connecticut, Arthur Giddon begins every day working out.

"Keep your body from becoming stiff and old, and aged," he said.

That attitude may be one of the reasons Giddon celebrated his 100th birthday with a special wish, reports CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston.

"I said it would be wonderful to be a batboy again," Giddon asked.

"Did you think it was going to happen," Pinkston asked.

"No," Giddon said.

But it did. Wearing his custom-make "Big Pappy" Boston Red Sox Jersey - a gift from his daughter - Giddon arrived for batting practice at Fenway Park Saturday. He handled more helmets than bats. A string of Red Sox players made a point to meet him, including the real "Big Papi," slugger David Ortiz.

"You got some hits for me," Ortiz asked Giddon.

The last time Giddon was a batboy was 1923 - a bag of peanuts cost 5 cents, and he was 13, working for the old Boston Braves. Giddon once met Babe Ruth, but his favorite player was Ted Williams.

"Did you ever thing about playing baseball?" Pinkston asked.

"It was more of a dream," Giddon said. "But I don't think I was built for it. I wasn't tall or strong enough."

It was Kennesaw Mountain Landis, the first commissioner of baseball, who steered him to a different career.

"He says, 'I think you ought to be a lawyer, you ought to go to law school,'" Giddon said.

That's what Giddon did. Graduating from Harvard Law, then putting his career on hold to serve in the Navy during World War II. But baseball was always in his blood, and the chance to be a part of baseball again, was so very special.

"Relive my young life," Giddon said.

A centennial birthday wish, come true.

[barbaram99]

Happy Birthday and yep. I love the Boston Red Sox and that old Fedway Park. Wonderful story..i AM 54.

[marbru-2009]

It's better to be thought a fool than open your mouth [email] and erase all doubt! You (and you know who you are) should take it to heart.

[logos200atgmale]

This kind gentleman won the genetic lottery.

[ramos1129]

In the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of reading (and hearing) articles on Susan Boyle and Mr. Giddieon. The world needs many more articles like these. Wonderful people.

[lucasnico]

this guy could probably start for the Nationals.

[eachteach]

I hope I'm as spry as this gentleman when I'm up in years. Exercise and enjoying your pasttimes seem to be a panacea. I gotta say, though, when I saw the headline about a "batboy" I had a News of the World picture in my head.

[wheear]

This is a great story. May God continue to bless you sir.