The King of Cards

When Paul Jones was 10 years old, his parents took him to a Las Vegas Stars minor league baseball game.

The Joneses sat in their seats and watched kids on the rail of the front row seeking autographs from players. Paul’s mom, Lorraine, suggested his dad, Barry, go buy a team set and a pen in the pro shop and see if Paul wanted to go get autographs.

Barry bought some cards and instructed his son – who has Asperger’s syndrome, a neurodevelopment disorder that affects the ability to effectively interact and communicate with people – to stand at the rail and if players come by, ask them for their autograph. Players walked by, but Paul didn’t say a word. His parents observed from the stands as Paul kept to himself.

Finally, Stars manager Tim Flannery approached Paul and asked if he wanted his autograph. Paul nodded, “Yes.” The 10-year big league veteran obliged.

“Tim takes his cards and the pen and thumbs through the deck and he finds his card and signs it,” Barry said. “He notices that nobody