I started every game from the time I was a freshmen

By taking advantage of the protection of the PPA, the fiduciaryliabilities are managed appropriately so that plan sponsors can attend to theiremployees needs. About ProNvestProNvest is an independent registered investment advisory firm that assistsretirement plan participants with a goal-based advice and money managementservice. ProNvest also provides educational tools, professional accountmanagement, investment allocation advice and managed IRA rollovers Visit for more information. ProNvest, Inc.Stephen Johnson, 770-573-7776Senior Vice Copyright Business Wire 2009. The following is part of a weekly series called "Through the Eyes of..." In each segment, I share interviews with or stories about those who I view to be the "Good Guys." The men and women who participate in and are the very fiber that make up the great game of baseball."Through the Eyes of..." is a part of my personal crusade to present baseball in all its beauty, splendor, and goodness, instead of through hashing and rehashing all that is broken with our national treasure. TC There is hardly a soul who has ever picked up a leather glove and a hardball, who hasn't also dreamed of making the journey to the the big leagues. The two travel nearly hand in hand once the sound of rawhide against hardwood is experienced. And for nearly every child who dreams the dream of playing major league baseball, so too goes the subtle disappointment that comes with the realization that the dream is just that: a dream.

They are few and far between, those with the gift, the willingness to work and the dedication necessary to succeed that make it all the way to the Show.But then there are the nearly chosen few, who don't make it to the big leagues, but by luck or by circumstance still get to pull up the stirrups next to the big boys.For 486 consecutive games from Opening Day of 1998 to the call of "wait til next year" in 2000, Bill Artz wasprivileged enough to put on the uniform of the present World Champion Philadelphia Phillies and catch the likes of Curt Schilling, Randy Wolf, and Mark Portugal in his role as the Bull Pen catcher.Though not a glamorous position on the hierarchy of the baseball org chart, there is nary a one of us, that wouldn't give up doing what we are doing today to experience a cup of coffee or two and maybe a mid game catch with Paul Byrd, Mark Leiter or Vicente Padilla.Today, Artz owns and operate Big League Floors, a Philadelphia based company that provides residential and commercial floorings services for an eight county area in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.But, for three glorious seasons after graduating from the Lasalle University School of Business Administration, Artz was in part responsible for the fortune, both good and bad, of the Phillies pitching staff and is the subject of this week's segment of "Through the Eyes of....The Bull Pen Catcher."Civ: You played your college ball at LaSalle in 90-92, were you a catcher Bill: Yes, I was a catcher at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. I started every game from the time I was a freshmen.Civ: Did you have any aspirations of playing pro ballBill: Absolutely, from the time I was four years old and up, I lived and died the game. Every move I made was directed toward the goal of some day being in the big leagues.Civ: After college what did you doBill: After college I floundered around really not knowing what to do with my after baseball life. I continued to play in the Pen-Del league in Philly. As far as vocation went, I worked many odd jobs after graduation as well as coaching at LaSalle for one year.Civ: You had a teammate at LaSalle with the last name DiMaggio, any relation to Joe, Dom Bill: Wow, how did you find that one No, Ross DiMaggio was no relation to the famous DiMaggio’s, although we had a professor at LaSalle who called him "Joltin' Joe". Ross was the catcher before I arrived and was a pretty good left-handed hitter.Civ: Did you play with or against any MLB players during your careerBill: Yes, I played against quite a few future and former big leaguers along the way. Those include Doug Glanville, Sal Fassano, Chris Michalik and I played with Bobby Higginson in the summer league in Philly. Civ: How did you get the job with the PhilliesBill: One of my teammates in the Pen-Del was former pitcher Dickie Noles. Dickie was remembered most for knocking down George Brett in the 1980 World Series Some claim this was the turning point of that series.

Just to have him think enough of me as a receiver was a tribute because if I was sub-standard, he would not have me catch him. The guy was a perfectionist. I also helped him with his rehab in spring training in 2000, long tossing with him everyday. Civ: Is he the most notable player you caughtBill: By far, some say he will be a Hall of Famer and I would not argue this. I just wish I had warmed up to him a little more because I think we could have been pretty good friends...Civ: Schilling had three rather mediocre seasons while you were there and then had his best years in AZ and Boston, why do you suppose that happenedBill: I would not say they were mediocre seasons on his part. That team was less than mediocre. The guy thrived in the big moments and there were more of them in AZ. and Boston. He did get shut down in 1999 with an injury and of course his record does not reflect the games that the bullpen blew or the offense did not support him. He will always be loved in this town for his energy and talent on the field as well as off of it.Civ: Does the BP catcher get to hang with the team Did you ever spend any time with Abreu or any of the name playersBill: I did towards the end and became pretty good friends with Pat Burrell and Randy Wolf. I was a little standoffish at first just because I thought I should be seen and not heard but I took it a little too far. But I would have to say that my most cherished relationship was with legendary announcer Harry Kalas, not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. Civ: How rough were the fans in Philly Did they ever heckle the bull pen catcherBill: The Phillies fans can be rough at any time but even more so then, that is, the ones that showed up. Personally I thought the San Francisco Giants fans were the most obnoxious.