Experiences w/ballplayers-Good and Bad?

[Spitball]

I was reading the "favorite player" thread and saw Buddy Bell mentioned. I started to post a story about my son's experience with him, but decided it might highjack the thread. So, I'm starting a new one.

Back in the mid-'80's, my oldest loved Buddy Bell when he was in kindergarten and first grade. He also loved Steve Grogan, the New England Patriots' quarterback at the time. My son wrote to both and told them what a big fan he was, and he included a self addressed stamped envelope and asked for an autograph. I must say the letters were written in laborious block print with several misspellings, but they were very sweet.

Anyway, Steve Grogan ignored the SASE and sent him a packet of stuff, including a written response, an autographed individual photo, and a team picture. Buddy Bell didn't respond, so he sent him another letter and self addressed stamped envelope. My son kept going to the mailbox to check, but again, no response. I don't remember how many times or strategies he tried, but he wrote him several more times before he gave up.

I remember being a thirteen year-old and going to Fenway in 1966 to see Frank Robinson and the Orioles play the Red Sox. After the game, we joined several other fans trying to get autographs outside the park. The Orioles were loading on a bus and while they waited several signed scorecards and such that were passed through windows. I had on a Cincinnati Reds shirt and stood outside Frank Robinson's window and begged him to sign my scorecard. Finally, Brooks Robinson signaled for me to hand him the scorecard. He took it to Frank who scribbled F.R followed by a short wiggly mark and gave it back to Brooks. Brooks wrote something, signed it also, and handed it back.

Another time, Boston pitcher Jose Santiago was locked out of his car after a game. He was in some distress but still took the time to sign my scorecard. Nice guy.

Another time in 1968, Johnny Bench loaned my sister and me a dime after a game to call our dad because we had car trouble. He also waited with us until my dad arrived. Nice guy.

I have a few more, but I've rambled longer than I planned. Anybody else have stories?

[Heath]

Jose Lima tossed my 6 and 4 year old each a baseball in Cleveland last year. Lima Time even gave them high-fives. He probably tossed over 10-12 balls in the stands down the first baseline.

He started the game and even game the folks in the bleachers 4 or 5 balls. THe only exception was they were tossed by Lima and swatted by Indians over the fence.

Nice guy though. Wayyyyy to laid back...and wayyyy short on talent. Unless it involved the buffet line.

[GAC]

It was prior to a 1966 game with the Giants - I was 11 yrs old and ran into Pete Rose in the causeway at Crosley Field as he entered the game. He had his bat and glove in hand, and was surrounded by youth as I stood there, in awe, and watched him walk by.

Harvey Haddix, who retired back to our area, use to come to our Little League ballgames all the time (unbeknownst to me). I was in the county All-Star game, and was leading off. The opposing pitcher was a classmate, and one big kid. he was one of those pitchers that most little leaguers hated to face, and mainly because you were afriad of getting HBP. This kid could throw a baseball. He almost hit me, and knocked me on my butt with the first pitch. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. Instead of getting up scared, I got up mader then all get-out. I must have fouled off the next 5-6 pitches, as I was furious and very determined. I ended up hitting a homerun over the CFer's head... and I was not one who hit homeruns.

After the game, Harvey Haddix came up to me with my Dad and said he had watched me off and on that summer, and said I was one heck of a ballplayer. That really meant alot to me.

I got to meet one of favorite Reds players growing up in SS Leo Cardenas, during last year's HOF Induction ceremonies in Cincy. When I heard he was in the hall I had to search him out. I was a SS/2bman in little league, and he was one of the Res players I really loved (next to Vada Pinson). He was a very gracious/humble man. The whole time he kept asking me if I had met the new Red's draft pick Jay Bruce? He was really braggin' up on that kid. So I seacrhed out Jay and got to meet him too.

[Spitball]

GAC, which one are you??? ;)

[dougdirt]

I think GAC is that guy on the right in both pictures

[KittyDuran]

I passed Ryan Freel [in a brown 3-piece suit, natch!] last year on the street near the Marriott DT Cleveland...:)

[pedro]

Wes Parker was dating my 6th grade teacher and he came to class one day.

.... oh wait, that was Greg Brady.

[Spitball]

I think GAC is that guy on the right in both pictures :laugh: That's what I thought.

Another story. Once, a couple of friends and I took the bus to Crosley Field. After hanging around after the game to get autographs, we were going to catch the bus back to our hometown and a big black Caddy or Lincoln with Michigan plates went by. I recognized Alex Johnson driving and yelled out his name. When the car stopped we were all pretty scared because we had heard stories about him being mean. Well, we tentatively approached the car and asked him if he'd sign our scoecards. Surprisingly, he signed all three and went on his way. Despite his reputation, we found him very friendly.

[OnBaseMachine]

Wes Parker was dating my 6th grade teacher and he came to class one day.

.... oh wait, that was Greg Brady.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I remember that episode.

Didn't Don Drysdale also make an appearance on that show at one time?

[Spitball]

Wes Parker was dating my 6th grade teacher and he came to class one day.

.... oh wait, that was Greg Brady.

Wait! Wes Parker dated Greg Brady!?!? :eek:

[pedro]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I remember that episode.

Didn't Don Drysdale also make an appearance on that show at one time?

I believe so. As did Joe Namath.

[KittyDuran]

I believe so. As did Joe Namath.Roman Gabriel and Rosey Grier, IIRC, as well. There was also another LA Ram in the "Canary" episode wasn't there? :confused:

[westofyou]

I believe so. As did Joe Namath.
Yeah, but that wasn't like the time his engine got vapor lock in Springfield.

[schroomytunes]

As A kid working at Nuxhall's Batting range in Fairfield I got to meet a few Reds every year. I will have to say I was impressed with Paul Oneill and Chris Sabo, real down to earth guys, Now Larkin on the other hand acted like he was too good to be around us. I met Frank Catalonnotto in Toronto last year during a Yankee series, he came into Gretsky's bar after the game and hung with the Yankee fans, real good guy, just acted like the rest of the bar patrons, then went home when his daughter came in to get him she was @5-6years old, he's just a good guy, too bad the Reds couldn't get him.

[SunDeck]

Jack Billingham lived around the corner from me. He was the most laid back guy you could imagine and was just a regular neighbor to all of us. His son and I played on the same baseball team and Jack came to our practices. I pitched and he actually taught me how to hold the ball with two fingers across the seams. A four seamer....from Jack Billingham! The only thing is, it wasn't a big deal because he was just Mr. Billingham, who by the way, pitched for the Reds.

I met Pete Rose when I was about eight. All I remember is that I was petrified. Couldn't say a word. My mom said Pete thought it was pretty cute...I've never heard the end of it, speechless in front of my idol.

[Team Clark]

I wish I had the typing skills to fill this one up.

[realistic]

In like 95 or so i went to Cincinnati to see the Reds/Expos. I was staying at the same hotel as the Expos. This was Rondell White's rookie year and he was on fire batting about .400 in June, very nice guy (and well dressed) we chatted about 5 minutes. About 10 minutes later a short little pitcher named Pedro Martinez walked by and got on the elevevator. We waved a baseball at him from across the lobby as the door closed. He actually re-opened the elevator door and came back to sign for us, blew my mind. A couple years later this little short guy would be one of the games best.

[dabvu2498]

I grew up down the street from ex-Ranger/Cubs/somebody else RP Paul Kilgus. His wife baby-sat me as a kid. Went to college with 1 current major leaguer and one former MLBer/current AAAer. (Our Major League alumni (1 or 2 of em) used to come around quite a bit as well.) All these experiences were quite positive.

My buddy almost picked a fight with Odalis Perez and Adrian Beltre in a bar on Main St. after a Dodger game one night. They were intimidating, but my buddy's ego knows no bounds. That was a negative experience.

[Yachtzee]

I have never met a ballplayer personally. My sister however, used to work at the CompUSA in North Olmstead, on the west side of Cleveland, and used to get plenty of Indians players in there. The most notable occassion was when Chuck Finley and Tawney Kitaen came in (before she put the beat-down on him). My sister was the technical specialist on duty at the time when Finley brought in his laptop to be repaired. Finley refused to deal with my sister, stating that he wanted to "talk to a guy, because girls can't fix computers." Tawney Kitaen was very nice and said stuff like "I don't know, honey. She looks pretty smart. I think she can handle it." But dear old Chuck would have none of it. Finally my sister said she would put a note on the computer to have the manager call as soon as he was back at the store. Then she told Tawney Kitaen that her brothers had a huge crush on her after seeing the movie "Bachelor Party." Tawney said that was sweet, but dear old Chuck said "who cares." So my sister can completely understand why Tawney Kitaen might have wanted to kick his behind.

[GAC]

I passed Ryan Freel [in a brown 3-piece suit, natch!] last year on the street near the Marriott DT Cleveland...:)

On his way to court? ;)

[WMR]

I met Dunn and Kearns this past December at Gambino's, a club/bar in Lexington. They were both pretty cool, but Dunn was by far the more approachable. I talked to him for a few minutes.

Hmm, the highlights I can remember: "Why does Marty give you so much ****?" Dunn: "I dunno, that guy has always hated me."

"People in Cincinnati don't realize what they've got in you, man, .OBP, .OBP, who gives a **** about .BA." lmao.

To Kearns:
"What the heck was up with Obie, I hope he gets fired."
"He's gone." (or something to that effect -- they clearly both thought Obie was a complete idiot and that he was going to be fired)

Very positive experience. Observing the magnetic effect of baseball players on women was fun.

[KittyDuran]

On his way to court? ;)He did have a briefcase, IIRC...:laugh:

[reds1869]

I've known a few minor leaguers fairly well, including one currently playing for Louisville. I've only ever had a passing glance at big leaguers...I can't honestly count being at the store with them as an experience.

I have a lot more experience with other sports. I taught teh children of quite a few Columbus Blue Jackets players when I lived up there; they were all very involved and helpful parents. I also had a weird knack for running into Brian McBride at Giant Eagle.

I went to school with Chad Pennington at Marshall and lived down the hall; a genuinely great guy, and a heck of a Playstation football player. I also went there with Randy Moss, Steve Scuillo, Chris Hanson and several other NFL players. My closest relationships were with Pennington and Scuillo...they were the only two I truly knew.

[Spitball]

I wish I had the typing skills to fill this one up.

How about a couple? :)

[SunDeck]

Observing the magnetic effect of baseball players on women was fun.

A highschool friend of mine had an older brother who eventually pitched in the MLB. He would visit him while he was in the minor leagues and his brother and the other guys on the team would play him up at the local bars as the newest hot prospect. And he could play the part because he was actually a good ball player, was pretty tall and had a real athletic build.

Needless to say, the results were...how shall I say it...taxable in Nevada?

[Handofdeath]

I passed Ryan Freel [in a brown 3-piece suit, natch!] last year on the street near the Marriott DT Cleveland...:)

I hope you were kind enough not to step on him.

[smith288]

I used to watch Saved by the Bell and eat ice cream sandwiches religiously with Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettite and Jeter prior to home games.

THat was cool...

[KronoRed]

The thing about Freel's suit is it was originally black but he had to dive into first a few times to get it broken in :D

[Benny-Distefano]

I saw Pete Rose at the Zoo when I was 10 (mid-eighties).

I worked up the courage to walk up to him and asked him "are you really Pete Rose?" (he had sunglasses on)

He said no, and then just as quickly told me to "get lost" or "beat it" or something to that effect.

Can't blame the guy I guess... and, considering some other stories I've heard about him, I'm just happy I didn't lose any money in the ordeal. :)

[cincy09]

Met Ryan Freel in an elevator the morning after his opening day DUI. He looked tired.

Brandon Phillips tossed my buddy a ball in Detroit, back in May.

[redsmetz]

A few years ago we were at Kenwood Towne Center after going to see the Reds and Cards play a game. We were with my wife's sister from Missouri and her son and husband. My son, then about 14-15 years old, saw Albert Pujols, Wily Mo Pena and another player (maybe Juan Castro). He told his 7 year old cousin (from Missouri) he'd go ask for Pujols autograph. Pujols politely declined, not wanting to get have a mob scene, but still shook my son's hand and was really friendly.

My son said Wily Mo had the biggest hands he'd ever seen.

I once played in a softball game against Chico Cardenas, the Reds shortstop when I was a kid. I hit a ball right by him (granted he was probably in his 60's, but hey, why sweat the details?). When I got on second, he said, "Good hit, man". Wow. He signed my kids' gloves and I told him them he was Barry Larkin when Larkin was in diapers.

We lived across the street from Roger Staubach's then girlfriend, later his wife. In fact, she and her sister were our babysitters and Roger and his girlfriend watched us after prom when my folks went to the hospital for my first sister to be born (1959). In the early 70's my younger cousin (who later went on to briefly be a DJ at 101.9 - Andy Craig) was a big Staubach fan, so I sent him a football card and asked him to autograph it for him. He sent the card back along with a signed 8 X 10 photo.

Last one, Michael Tucker tossed me a baseball after warm ups. I even had a glove and it bounced off the glove behind the wall. Tucker just shook his head and laughed. My family's never let me live it down.

[BuckWoody]

Back in ’88 I had just gotten out of college and went down to Riverfront quite a bit. We’d usually hit Flanagan’s after the game just to “let the traffic clear out”. ;)

Got to meet Ron Robinson one night and shake his hand; nice guy. Ran into Chris Sabo more than once and he was always great. One incident that I’ll never forget was when the Pete Rose story first broke and we were in the bar after the game. The place was pretty empty and Sabo was holding court with about 4 or 5 guys, myself included. Someone asked him about Pete and Sabo says, “I know Pete. Pete’s an a-hole. He’s guilty.”

[StRedlegs900]

I used to be a host at Cracker Barrel in the summer inbetween school years, and a lot of Reds players used to come in there. I met Jason LaRue on my first day on the job, and Kent Mercker was there getting food that same day. I talked to LaRue for about 5 minutes, and I was actually going down to the game that night to watch them play the Cubs, so we chatted about that for awhile. He was a really cool guy.

A few weeks later, I got to meet Sean Casey and his kids who were there getting some breakfast. I never approached them at the table of course, being as I was on the job, but talked to Sean as he was browsing the store. One of the nicest guys I've ever met.

My best story, however, was when I sat Paul Wilson. He came up to be seated, and quite surprised I said to him "Oh wow, you're Paul Wilson." :laugh: He started to laugh, and was really cool. I talked to him as I seated him and his wife, and he had had a bad game the day before, so he was frustrated, but I told him to keep pluggin away. After he ate, he came up and talked to me for like 5 minutes...almost like I had known him for years.

To make a long story longer, he came in like a week later, and remembered my name and everything we had talked about. I sat him at a certain table he wanted, and after they ate again, he came up and literally talked to me for like 10 minutes. He told me to come down to a game, and I told him that it was hard to go down all the time, because the prices of tickets and working and such. He then said he would leave me 10 of his personal tickets to go to any game that I wanted. He also gave me his personal cell phone number, and told me that if I ever needed tickets, all I had to do was call him. I was totally floored. Me and a bunch of my friends went down to a game later that week, and had a blast. By far one of the greatest guys I've ever met.

[minus5]

Got to meet Casey once and we talked about....our kids. It was pretty cool, just like talking to any other dad.

Back in the 80s I was hanging out downtown a lot and kept running into Johnny Bench. He was always really nice. One summer I actually ran into him so much that he waved to me first :D

Heard a lot of stories about Johnny but he was really cool every time I saw him.

[RFS62]

I met Sandy Koufax at the driving range of a golf course once. I had a baseball in my car, but no pen.

He looked through his car for a couple of minutes to find a pen and sign the ball.

Nobody else there but my son and I, and he couldn't have been more gracious.

[heisman27]

I met the team in Cleveland and Chicago. Sean Casey is actually nicer in person than the stories you hear on tv. He took pictures with us and he was hilarious. He was laughing and pulling anbody in that was around. He then stuck around and played ping pong (Walter Payton tournament was going on that weekend) with us in the lobby. He was pure class. Aaron Boone and Danny Graves were also great.

[Blimpie]

Carlton Fisk was a Grade-A ******bag each and every time I tried to get him to autograph a ball over an entire three day celebrity golf tournament. After he acted like a jerk the first time, I just decided to keep following him around like the paperboy in the Better Off Dead....."Three Dollars...I want my three dollars..." to see just how aggravated he would become.

Oh yeah, my younger brother was also with me at that same golf tourney and had always grown up idolizing Vince Coleman (for some reason). When he approached Coleman to get his autograph, he was so nervous that all he thought to say to him was: "Hello Vince. Wow, you smell good..."

Coleman stopped in mid signature--I am sure he considered calling security at that moment. I crap you negative. To this day, that phrase is still holiday dinner table fodder.

[vaticanplum]

Oh yeah, my younger brother was also with me at that same golf tourney and had always grown up idolizing Vince Coleman (for some reason). When he approached Coleman to get his autograph, he was so nervous that all he thought to say to him was: "Hello Vince. Wow, you smell good..."

Coleman stopped in mid signature--I am sure he considered calling security at that moment. I crap you negative. To this day, that phrase is still holiday dinner table fodder.

:lol:

[dabvu2498]

Oh yeah, my younger brother was also with me at that same golf tourney and had always grown up idolizing Vince Coleman (for some reason). When he approached Coleman to get his autograph, he was so nervous that all he thought to say to him was: "Hello Vince. Wow, you smell good..."

Coleman stopped in mid signature--I am sure he considered calling security at that moment. I crap you negative. To this day, that phrase is still holiday dinner table fodder.
That is awesome.

I almost did something worse to Pete Rose at a charity golf event. True story: I was in the restroom and suddenly, there's Peter Edward Rose, The Hit King, at the urinal next to me. If I had reacted on my first instincts, the scene could have been ugly and Mr. Rose's shoes (and maybe more) would have gotten moist. Thankfully, I waited for him to exit the restroom before telling him I'd noticed his World Series ring while we were at the urinals.

[smith288]

That is awesome.

I almost did something worse to Pete Rose at a charity golf event. True story: I was in the restroom and suddenly, there's Peter Edward Rose, The Hit King, at the urinal next to me. If I had reacted on my first instincts, the scene could have been ugly and Mr. Rose's shoes (and maybe more) would have gotten moist. Thankfully, I waited for him to exit the restroom before telling him I'd noticed his World Series ring while we were at the urinals.
Do you still have the ring's imprint on your forehead?

[NoColonBoy]

Got to meet Casey once and we talked about....our kids. It was pretty cool, just like talking to any other dad.

Back in the 80s I was hanging out downtown a lot and kept running into Johnny Bench. He was always really nice. One summer I actually ran into him so much that he waved to me first :D

Heard a lot of stories about Johnny but he was really cool every time I saw him.

In 1980, I went to Reds Spring Training--then in Tampa--with my Dad.

Johnny Bench had always been my idol growing up--I was 13 years old.

For those of you who have been to Spring Training, you know how accessible the players are. I remember Mike LaCoss hanging out with the fans in his street clothes--I have an old picture of that.

Johnny, meanwhile, yelled at me for NOT asking for his autograph. I was with a buddy who did ask. I stood off to the side because I had gotten Johnny's autograph the day before (this was before eBay--multiple autographs weren't really terribly valuable back then).

I couldn't stand him after that and still can't. I've heard dozens of similar stories regarding Bench, too.

[foxfire123]

Not my experience, but a friend's son pays Stars baseball here in Missouri. when Mike Matheny was on the DL a few weeks ago, he came to the kids' game, signed balls, talked to them and hung out with the team for the entire game. Michelle was so impressed with him since he was just so helpful and real to the boys. Gave them advice, cheered for them, just in general a really nice guy.

This is the local Stars team that's also been invited to play on Doubleday Field at Cooperstown next month also. :)

Foxfire123

[wheels]

I met Sandy Koufax at the driving range of a golf course once. I had a baseball in my car, but no pen.

He looked through his car for a couple of minutes to find a pen and sign the ball.

Nobody else there but my son and I, and he couldn't have been more gracious.

You do realize how amazing it was that you met Sandy, don't you?

The guy's a total recluse or something nowadays.

[registerthis]

Several years back, I took my grandmother--a HUGE baseball fan--to a Columbus Clippers game. We got box seats right behind the on-deck circle, and she was loving it (she didn't get to go to too many games.) This was back when Alfonos Soriano was playing for the Clippers. His first time on deck, I was giving him some positive encouragement, and told him my grandmother was rooting for him, too. He turned around and gave us a big smile and I thought, gee that's nice.

his next time up to bat, as he came out of the dugout, he ran over to us and tossed a baseball to me and pointed for me top give it to my grandmother. It completely made her night!

[whodeynati85]

I have been fortunate enough to have huge conection with a guy you could call an agent. I have been to Adam Dunn's apartment (it was like 50 degrees), went to Big Papi's house before and after stardom, Manny Ramirez (his girlfriend was FINE), Jacques Jones, Shannon Stewart, Torii Hunter (really cool), Victor Martinez, Juan Rivera, Filepe Lopez before he was big, Jose Guillen (nice but that guy was crazy), Matt Lawton (real cool), I went into the Phillies lockerroom (kinda wierd) and talked to Jimmy Rollins at his locker and my dad almost got hit by Pat Burrell, and some other guys.

I tell one of my dad's stories with Pete
My dad and his girlfriend back in the early 80's were out one night after a concert or something at about 3:00 AM. They were hungry so they went into Perkins. The place was empty except there was Pete and Pete Jr over at a table. My dad was a singer so his girlfriend was pretty good looking so he decided to sit away from Pete and didnt look over at him. His girlfriend says she has to go to the bathroom which is right pass Pete. My dad tells her "dont look at him, I dont know what he'll do, just dont look at him." So she gets up, walks straight pass Pete and the whole time Pete is starring at her. When she gets past he turns and pats Pete Jr on the shoulder ( about 10-15 years old) and says "now that's a nice a**."

[Redsland]

This very morning I was climbing into my car at Kroger, and right next to me, Ryan Freel climbed out of his.

Holy crap! That's Ryan Freel, with Jeff Bagwell's old goatee and Junior's old Escalade, I thought to myself.

He climbed out of the car, turned away, and began to walk toward the store. That's when I said, "Hi!"

Obviously, I knew that he'd recognize my voice, and that he'd know I was addressing him. :rolleyes:

Anyway, he continued walking toward the store as it dawned on me that I'd blown it. Then he slowed to a stop and turned toward me. Cool! Now I was trying to remember if I had a ball in the car, when I realized he was staring at me. (I suspect I was wearing a stupid grin, which probably helped him pinpoint the greeting-sniper.)

Anyway, I quickly mentioned something about how important he was to the team, and pointed out what a good year he was having, and I thanked him for the great season so far, and he seemed to really appreciate hearing that. Then I wished him luck tonight, and we went our separate ways.

He seemed like a nice guy. And I'm sure I seemed like a putz. :)

[bounty37h]

Wow, where would I start? Maybe tom when I have time to type some of em out....

[KronoRed]

Smooth Redsland :D

[vaticanplum]

I haven't met too many ballplayers. I believe my cousin is an occasional drinking buddy of Adam Dunn's. She calls him bubblebutt. But I'm sure she says it with a great deal of charm.

[Razor Shines]

My cousin used to date Jack McDowell when he played for the White Sox. She lived in Sarasota, FL and I met him a few times during family things at my Grandparent's place in FL. He asked her to marry him but she said no, and they broke up, that was in the spring before he won 20 games the first time. Woops.

edit: I met him only once, but saw him a few times.

[RFS62]

You do realize how amazing it was that you met Sandy, don't you?

The guy's a total recluse or something nowadays.


Yep. There's a lot more to that story, but I've told it several times and it's a lot to type.

[vaticanplum]

My cousin used to date Jack McDowell when he played for the White Sox. She lived in Sarasota, FL and I met him a few times during family things at my Grandparent's place in FL. He asked her to marry him but she said no, and they broke up, that was in the spring before he won 20 games the first time. Woops.

edit: I met him only once, but saw him a few times.

I would have a similar story to this if my mother paid more freaking attention to things. Apparently in the 70s there was a notable player on the Big Red Machine who had a serious interest in her. She was a model when she was young, very cute and funny, and her roommate was related to someone in the Reds' organization so they used to go to parties and things. This guy adored her, got her number and called her a lot, and she just wasn't interested.

Who was it? Well, I don't know, because she doesn't. What a freaking space cadet. You really can't remember, Mom? "I don't know. Not Pete Rose or Johnny Bench. He was tall." The real kicker is that my mother is a baseball fan and in particular of that team at that time. She'll talk and talk about George Foster and Concepcion, but she doesn't know who asked her out repeatedly. I'm not making this up, and I don't think she is either. She just has a tendency not to remember things that don't hold her attention.

So that's a worthless story in the greater scheme of things. Really I'm just venting, I've never gotten over this. I could be the child of a Red! or some version of me anyway.

[crazybob60]

No more than one hour ago, I was walking downtown on my late lunch and I walked right by the 5/3 building by the player's hotel for visitors. I recognized one guy and he was just about past me but I was like "What's up Reggie?" and in response, like it was nothing, he said "what's up" like we were old friends or soemthing. BTW...it was Reggie Sanders. Amazing what a simple hello or what's up can do to your attitude.

I then walked down to the stadium, purchased my ticket for tonight's game and then went to where the reds drove in. Several players drove by and didn't stop, but Matt Belisle did and signed a few autos and I told him "Welcome back to the club". He said "Thanks, good to be back"

Overall, a really nice afternoon and meeting one of my middle school heros in Reggie.

[donnelly_31]

I was at the Reds Caravan in Columbus this year(which was very cool). As I was looking at some stuff on display from the Reds Hall of Fame I noticed some one was looking over my shoulder. I turned around and it was Marty throwing back a gin and tonic he just said "pretty cool huh" (about the HOF stuff). He patted me on the back and said that he was glad I made it there. Later that evening (many beers later) as the players were leaving my buddy and I saw Kent Mercker at the bar. My buddy asked him a question that I don't remember and Mercker bums a cigarette off him and says we should have a smoke and talk it over. Once we get outside I offered to buy him a drink he refuses and hands me a Reds envelope and asks me to get us some pitchers. I look inside and find $200 that the Reds had given him at the event to drink with. We proceeded to get bombed and talk baseball and whatever else until the place closed down. Great guy....regardless of his stats this year I will always be a Mercker fan.

[Johnny Vander m]

In the early or mid 70"s I was at an Insurance convention in Montreal Quebec, one boring afternoon no one around I ran into Billy Martin siting on the stairs in the lobby. Got to talking to him, and at the time I was kinda down on Sparky Anderson. Billy thought different and then he said lets go have a beer and we went into the hotel bar, no one but one other person in there and he bought me a beer. Will never forget how nice he was to me.

[reds44]

It wasn't outside, but at a game at Wrigley this year I got to talk to BP for a good 5 minutes. Awesome guy, he said he was surprised I knew his name (it was right after the trade).

In Milwaukee last year they have a TGIFriday's in the left field line, and I got David Weathers' autograph and he play catch with my little brother (who is 3) for about 5 minutes. Stormy was a real nice guy.

A bad one was when I might Kenny Lofton at the Hyatt (I think) in Cincinnati after the opening game at GABP. I was like 12 and I ran into probably at like 10 and I asked him for his autograph. He told me, and I quote, "Go to bed kid." And refused to sign.

I have hated him since.

[nineworldseries]

When I was 4 years old (in 1983) my favorite team was the Astros... so my Dad wrote a letter to the Reds and they let me and my parents into the Astros locker room before the game at Riverfront. I got to meet the entire team! :D

I still have the old school polaroids of me with Art Howe, Jose Cruz, Nolan Ryan, et al, and the whole 1983 Topps team set signed (unfortunately the blue ballpoint signatures are fading from time).

This was a fantastic memory for me and it was really impressive that the Reds and Astros would let my family do this!

Much more recently I saw David Weathers at Waldenbooks in Kenwood mall and had to restrain myself from heckling him! :evil: