2-time World Series winner David Justice returns to Thomas More for alumni day

Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read
David Justice went from Covington Latin High School to Thomas More College to the Major Leagues, where he won two World Series titles.
David Justice went from Covington Latin High School to Thomas More College to the Major Leagues, where he won two World Series titles.
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The Thomas More Saints celebrated alumni weekend on Saturday with a baseball double-header against the University of the Cumberlands at Thomas More Stadium in Florence. The Saints honored a number of teams past and present, but the guest of honor was Saints Hall-of-Famer and two-time World Series champion David Justice.

After excelling on the basketball court at Covington Latin, Justice enrolled at Thomas More on a basketball scholarship, but turned to baseball when he saw that the offseason conditioning was easier than basketball's training. He said he had played baseball during his childhood summers, so picking up a glove and bat again felt natural.

"There was never a bad day at Thomas More," Justice said.

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As part of the ceremonies, Justice spoke to the team, telling stories of his time as a player as a way of transferring knowledge to the younger generation.

"I love imparting as much wisdom as I can, because I want to see them be successful. I really do," Justice said.

He also took part in a chalk talk session with fellow alumni Cubby Lyon (1951), Bobby Young (1987) and Jeff Hetzer. The roundtable was emceed by local radio host and sports personality Mo Egger.

Cubby Lyon, Jeff Hetzer, Mo Egger, David Justice and Bobby Young participate in a chalk talk session before the Saints' baseball against the University of the Cumberlands game at Thomas More Stadium in Florence, KY on April 15, 2023.
Cubby Lyon, Jeff Hetzer, Mo Egger, David Justice and Bobby Young participate in a chalk talk session before the Saints' baseball against the University of the Cumberlands game at Thomas More Stadium in Florence, KY on April 15, 2023.

The quintet recounted stories from their days at Thomas More, while Justice also spoke about his journey to the big leagues and playing for the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Oakland A's. The Braves first heard about Justice when, in a game against Xavier University, he hit a home run over the building past the right field wall that reportedly landed on the soccer field.

"That ball still hasn't come down," Justice joked.

During the draft, Justice got the call that he had been drafted from Hep Cronin, the father of former Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coach Mick Cronin.

He also spoke about defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the 1995 season, and how he cheered for the Reds as a big leaguer, except when he played them. The 1995 Reds are the last Reds team to date to advance in the playoffs. From there, he compared playing for Hall of Fame managers Bobby Cox in Atlanta and Joe Torre in New York, and how that compared to the "madhouse" that was the early 2000s Cleveland Indians.

"Every game, you had to bring your "A" game in a Yankee uniform. That was expected," Justice said.

Thomas More graduate and Hall-of-Famer David Justice throws the ceremonial first pitch at the Saints' alumni day at Thomas More Stadium in Florence, KY on April 15, 2023.
Thomas More graduate and Hall-of-Famer David Justice throws the ceremonial first pitch at the Saints' alumni day at Thomas More Stadium in Florence, KY on April 15, 2023.

Finally, Justice threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the first game of the double-header, a contest the Saints lost 9-6 in seven innings. After speaking to the team, Justice left them with a message of hope and gratitude.

"It's really a pleasure to come back and see y'all. I wish y'all nothing but the best," Justice said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thomas More baseball welcomes back David Justice