Photo Cathy Dausman

Stephen Bishop's guest appearance at the Orinda Theater premier of Moneyball hit a home run with the crowd on October 1. The former Moraga resident and Campolindo High School baseball player (class of 1987) attracted locals eager to see their neighbor and classmate on screen and in the flesh. "He was a good guy, well liked," said Bob Javinsky who was in the Campo class of 1989. Javinsky and his wife Sarah were among the first in line at the theater. Sarah Javinsky speculated there would have been an even larger Campolindo presence, had it not been for a 25th reunion, the class of 1986, scheduled that same night. Beau Behan, of the California Independent Film Festival, called Bishop a "Lamorindan Hollywood Star" and was excited to have him "share his insights and inside stories on Moneyball."

When Bishop arrived driving a black SUV the cameras came out. The actor, whose credits include Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, and The Rundown smiled shyly and politely posed for pictures before seeking out high school friends among the crowd.

This was Bishop's fourth Moneyball screening, but he assured the audience that his role in the film aside (Bishop plays former Oakland A's outfielder David Justice), he really likes the movie. Afterwards, Bishop fielded questions as easily as ground balls. He said he originally met Justice when he (Bishop) was playing baseball at Diablo Valley College. Justice gave him his batting gloves, and Bishop literally wore them out over the next 22 games. The rest is celluloid history.

Bishop's comment that as a young man he really wanted "out" of Moraga brought a good laugh from the audience. But now, he said, he'd like to return. Judging from the warm reception the crowd gave him that night Bishop was 'safe' at home.