Tell us about the time you met ...

Onlypsahockey

Here's my story...sorry its so long...

Growing up I idolized Bobby Orr. I had tons of his cards, I wrote #4 on all my books, heck I even wore my hair like he did. My Dad jokes that he named me after him. It was late in the 69-70 season. (I was 7). The Bruins were playin a home & home with Montreal. My Dad had his usual 8 or 9 drafts during the game and insisted we go down to the locker room after. I can remember about a hundred people standing there outside the mesh curtains bobbing back and forth trying to get a look at the players as they came out to hop on the bus. "Come on" my dad says as he grabs me by the sleeve and snakes his way thru the crowd. We ended up right at a seam in the curtains and my dad stood me right between them and held them open so I could see. One by one the players came out in their mostly plaid suits with big bell bottoms and very wide ties. They all had long wet hair from their showers and they all had a suitcase and overcoat for the trip. My dad took great pride in telling me who each guy was as they walked by. "There's E.J." "there's swoop", "ace", "turk", "espo", "cheesie", "doakie", "cash" and he named every single guy that came by. The crowd was starting to thin and I thought for sure I was about to feel the yank on my sleeve letting me know it was time to go. But instead, as I was looking around at the waning crowd, I here my dad yell "Hey Bobby come say hi to the kid!" I turned around and saw him. Bobby Orr... right there no more than 10 feet away....Bobby Orr! He was smiling as he put his bag down and walked over to the curtain. He crouched down and said "hey big guy, what's your name?" B-b-b-b-obby I think I muttered in awe. The rest of the brief covo is a blurr ( I probably blacked out! lol). As he stood up to leave he rubbed my head real hard making a big mess of my hair and said hi to my dad. My dad shook his hand, thanked him and wished him luck in Montreal. Mr. Orr thanked my dad and walked over to pick up his bag and as he threw his overcoat over his shoulder he managed a wave and a wink as he said "bye bobby." I stood there waving with my messed up hair and mouth wide open. My dad tugged my sleeve and said come on kid let's go home. What a guy! My hero! My dad. Mr. Orr was pretty cool too. I still remember this like it was last week and look back on it often. Definitely one of my favorite childhood memories standing there in awe of the two greatest guys in the world. Post memory fighting with my Mom 3 days later. I can still here her yelling "I'ts been 3 days! You gotta wash your hair!" "NO! NEVER!" was my reply.


Sorry for the long read, I hope you enjoyed reading it half as much as I enjoy telling it.

Share your stories guys.

Onlypsahockey

I probably should have started this thread in a different forum. Newbie mistake. But hey, sice its here, you guys might as well share. Bob

mudflap02

That reads just like a Coke commercial, except for the part about your dad being plastered.

AISAVDBBALLINPHILLY

Even though Chuck Bednarik only lives about 30 minutes (in Coopersburg, PA) from where I do, I never had the opportunity to meet him until last October at a signing in Canton, OH. My brother and I got to the signing early and walked around a pretty lame sportscard show. We were one of the first ones in line that began to form for autographs. I had a poster in hand of Bednarik standing over Gifford after the vicious hit he gave him that nearly killed Frank. I was a little nervous because I had never been to a signing before, so I did not know what to expect.

The main reason I had always admired Bednarik because he was a local guy who made it real big and has always remained down to earth. He was a WWII hero, 2 time All-America at Penn, 8 time All-Pro, last of 60 minute men as center and linebacker, member of two championship Eagle teams ('49 and '60), made saving last tackle as time ran out against Green Bay on Jim Taylor to win '60 Championship 17-13 for Eagles and give Lombardi his only post-season loss, and was inducted into the HOF in '67.

Anyway, I didn't know what to say, but when they let the door open and we filed in Bednarik was very talkative and in real good shape for a guy who is 79. One of the first things he said was "today's players are overpaid and underplayed," which everyone agreed with. He shook the hand of the woman who was sitting next to him and said she just busted his pinkie finger. Everyone laughed. Then, he showed us his busted pinkie that was just held together by skin, which he twirled around like a helicopter. He told us he broke it when it scraped the ground one time, and he never had it fixed. He said he also only made about $10,000 a year when he played and had to get another job when football season was over working in concrete construction. When it was my turn for him to sign my poster, I told him my name is John Bednar. He asked if I was of Slovak descent like him, and I said, "yes." Then he said do you know any words. I said, "no." (I know a few, but I couldn't think of any at that moment.) He proceeded to teach me a few words of Slovak and said, "you better learn and be ready next time." I thought that was really cool. He told my brother some good stuff too - like Franklin Field was the stadium in the background of a photo that he gave him to sign. It was just really neat to meet him because now I have a personal remembrance to add to my card collection of him. Good idea for a thread Bobby.

Vintagegolfcollector

Great story Onlypsahockey, thanks for sharing. Everyone deserves to have at lease one great memory involving their favorite player(s). Mine doesn't stand up to your experience but it's special to me.

Way back in the late 70s and early 80s Tom Watson was at the top of his game and seemed to be on the first page of the leaderboard every weekend. For those who might not know, Tom Watson is a professional golfer and a class act. I suppose I was about the only kid in my neighborhood who watched golf on the weekends and one of only a very few who played the game in my parts. Unfortunately, my dad wouldn't have anything to do with sports. He claimed the players were overpaid and held no loyalty to their teams anymore. He was a Dodger fan and their move to the West Coast broke his heart. He refused to take me to any professional sporting events or even discuss sports for the most part. Anyway, well past his prime, I finally got a chance to meet Tom Watson at the 2001 PGA Championship. He qualified for the event by winning the Senior PGA Championship. On the last day of practice I was waiting in line hoping to get an autograph with at least 100 other fans and was fortunate enough to get the one signature I really wanted. Mr. Watson only gave two signatures on his way away for the course that day and I got the second one. I'm not sure but maybe seeing a thirtysomething year old standing there with hopeful eyes got me that signature. It also gave me a memory I will never forget. Thanks Mr. Watson.

Three and a half years later..........My son has now just turned three and is a major Tiger Woods fan. It's my hope to give him one of those treasured memories. I plan on taking him to Charlotte, NC next year to the Wachovia Championship and hopefully get a picture of him with Tiger Woods during one of the early practice rounds.

Final note. We are all still little boys when we relive our favorite memories and sports heroes.

Thanks for the thread.

Peter

Knuckles

Great stories. I unfortunately can't contribute. The players I've met were all either a-holes or one's that weren't really that special to me and never really did or say anything special.

Great thread.

RedHeart54

<< <i>That reads just like a Coke commercial, except for the part about your dad being plastered >>



LOL!

jimtb

I grew up in Detroit. As a ten-year-old in 1975, I was a baseball junkie. My Dad would take my brother and I to Tiger Stadium as soon as the gates opened to get autographs during batting practice. We had the time of our lives. Hank Aaron had just gone back to Milwaukee in the American League, and I was determined to get his autograph when the Brewers came to town. On the 4th of July, we went to see the Brewers. I followed Hank everywhere he went. He was shagging flies, I was there. He took BP, I was right at the dugout. Finally he was coming off the field and I got it! I remember that he was very quiet, almost embarrassed, by the attention. I thanked him and he very nicely said you're welcome. I was in heaven. I still have the autograph. It's in pencil, cut out from a scorecard - right next to Ron LeFlore's and Dan Meyer's autograph!
Jim

achtey

Mine isn't as special but kinda funny I guess. I'm one of if not the biggest Packers fans there is. I'm only 22 so I haven't seen alot of games yet and can't recall anything but the Favre era but I bleed green and gold blood to the end. Anyway, about 5 years ago I heard one day that a store in the mall was having an autograph signing with Gilbert Brown. For those of you who don't know who Gilbert Brown is, he played Nose Tackle for the packers for a few years, very BIG guy. I think his playing weight was like 330-340. Anyway, I waited for 2 hours in line for him and was about 5th back in the line. He showed up and was in a kinda bad mood. The line started to move and I paid my $15 to get his autograph. I had a football for him to sign that I used to play with as a kid. I gave it to him to sign and said I was a huge fan....blah blah blah, the typical stuff a fan says I'm sure. But when he went to give it back I said no, I want you to throw it to me so then I can say I played catch with Gilbert Brown. lol He got a huge smile across his face and laughed. He threw it and I caught it I said thanks and he held out his hand and shook mine. Very cool day for me.


Josh

gmoneystyles

Ray Durham/White Sox, about 1997 @ the skydome. I was a punk kid from Upstate NY, and like most punks from upstate nowhere NY had a tin of chaw with me. Now, I also had a sharpie and a program; but you guessed it I had to get him to sign the tin. I thrust my arm out, Durham looks up at me with a wide grin seeing that I'm obviously underage and asks "what do you want me to do with it?" My classic reply "Sign it old man". We both laughed, I went back to my sweet ass seats and watched him hit a dinger. Not before I and my cousin heckled Ozzie Guillen for ruining Billy Ripkins career, and Ron Karkovice. As you all might recall Karkovice (or Karka-gramps as we referred to him that day) was 30 something young looking like he was going on 80. We got a couple glares that day, but what a great day at the park that was.

great story huh!

Robby

Great Stories guy's ! These kind of threads are the one's I always look forward to reading ! ................Robbie

onlychild

My dad was the guy in the Kool-Aid costume.

oaktown

This isn't exactly my story of meeting a favorite player, but it's my Dad's and I happened to be there.

My Dad grew up idolizing Ted Williams. He loved everything about him, from his on the field talents to his cavalier, John Wayne personality off of it. As a boy, he'd cut out every article/box score in the paper that pertained to Ted and add it to his scrapbook. He got to see him play a couple times in the 50's but was never able to get up close. Fast forward 30 years or so, we were on our annual family trip to Cooperstown. In the entrance way of the HoF was, what looked like, a statue covered by a tarp. My Dad asked the security guard what it was and he told him a statue of Ted Williams and that there was going to be a ceremony today to unveil it. He went on to ask who was going to attend and the guard replied "The Yawkey's, Bobby Doerr...oh and of course, Ted Williams". My Dad almost fell over and sent my brother to tell my mom that we weren't leaving for a few more hours. Later at the ceremony, we were able to get a spot about 5 feet behind Ted and the statue. I guess he didn't actually "meet" Ted, but it was pretty cool nonetheless.

Onlypsahockey

Great stories guys. Let's keep 'em coming! Bob

jwasserman

One of my best baseball experiences was when I was 11 in 1985- I waited outside the players gate after an O's-Royals game with a friend of my dad's who did concessions for the O's. Got autographs from damn near the whole team- Cal, Eddie, Storm Davis, Martinez, Floyd Rayford, etc. etc. you name it. We were just about ready to go home when my dad's friend yelled 'C'mon' and raced across the street. There was George Brett with a girl on each arm. He made a big show of signing my glove, asking me who my hero was, who I rooted for., etc. It was a terrific experience from one of the tougher players to get sigs from. Of course the whole day was amazing- everyone signed, most took the time to talk with you. Lee Lacy even had me hold his baby daughter while he signed autographs. Cal was Cal- signing until everyone was gone. Eddie Murray was quiet but kind. Denny Martinez wanted to make sure I knew who he was before I signed my glove!

Still have the glove, and whenever I can catch any of the old O's at signings I get them to add to it. Got Dempsey last year. Looking forward to the day my son is old enough and I can give the glove to him

Fabfrank

I've had the privilege of attending many of the big games in sports the last 20 years. From boxing, baseball to football and wrestling. I've also have had the opportunity to meet many of the athletes and celebrities. My funniest stories revolve around my son meeting these people and his reaction to their celebrity.
My son Frankie was 8 years old when I sent him to a local baseball camp ran by Bud Harrelson. Every day he would come home and tell me what he did at the camp and which minor leaguer he met that day. One day he comes home and tells me he met "some old guy" at the camp. He said he was sitting in a dugout by himself getting ready to eat his lunch when the old guy came over and started asking him about baseball and his favorite team (Frankie LOVES the Yankees). Turns out the old guy was Buddy Harrelson himself. He tells my son that he played for the Mets but had lots of friends who played for, and still worked for The Yankees. Now as many people know in the NY area, there is quite a rivalry between Yankee and Mets fans. I asked my son what he said to Bud Harrelson. He said " I told him even though he played for the Mets, I'll still share my Bologna sandwich with you" He said Bud Harrelson just laughed and declined the offer. When I picked up my son that afternoon, Harrelson comes over and introduces himself to me and tells me "You've got a true blue Yankee fan there"

Pinchdatail

While I've had the chance to meet more than a few sports celebrities, almost all of the interactions were in conventional settings - games, signings, etc.

But in 1987, I happened to be in the Denver airport and recognized someone that I had watched on T.V. many times in Mr. Ledet's barber chair on Saturday afternoons with my father. It was Earl Anthony, who was a dominant professional bowler when I was a kid. Earl Anthony

When I recognized him, I walked up to him and asked if he was Earl Anthony. Without saying a word, he opened a briefcase and pulled out an 8x10 glossy of himself and autographed it for me. This was an extremely nice gesture on his part, but I found it kind of an odd response to a simple question. I thanked him, shook his hand and went to catch my plane. I still have the picture, but unless I open a bowling alley, I doubt if it ever sees much wall space. Just a bizarre slice of life.

Mr. Ledet would have definitely been impressed.

goudeygold

I met Bobby Orr at a Louisville Icehawks game he was at. He was very nice and signed everything. I had him personalize mine because I knew i'd never sell it. I was 16 i think and I still remember the guys fingers were the size of snicker bars. I swear they were square. I still have the 8x10, and i'll never forget it.

Ps: At the time, I didn't know him from adam, but he was signing for free and they had free 8x10s too. All I had to do was stand in line for 20 minutes. Like that would happen today!!

GG

Onlypsahockey

I think he gets $250 per on flats and it goes up from there sticks and jerseys are more. If only I stood in line at all those free Baybank signings in the 80's

softparade

My friends and I were at Yankee Stadium one day back in the early 90's. Was a gloomy rainy day and the game was delayed by a couple of hours. It was a Sunday so no big deal. This was a point in time when the Yankees really stunk so the ball park was nearly empty come game time. We had seats just to the right of homeplate just 3 rows back. My friends and I proceeded to ride Cecil Fielder all game. Making many remarks about his girth. We were not cursing or anything, just good old fashioned ribbing. A real quiet park that day and Cecil sure as heck heard us. Many of the fans near our section joined in. Was a real good time. Well, Cecil hits a MANMOUTH 3 run homer into the upper deck in left field (no small feat) and I mean a moonshot. As he crosses home plate he went out of his way to stop for 4 or 5 seconds and glare right at us! He yelled something but we could not understand. We were so proud to have been in his head the whole game

ahhh Yankee fans huh?

RipublicaninMass

I was about 12 years old attending the "Battle of the Ages" Evander Holifield Vs George Foreman. I was eating breakfast in the Trump Plaza when George sat down at the table next to me. I shyly walked over with the restaurant menu and asked him for his autograph. He wouldn't give me one but held out his fist for a boxer's handshake. His hand is the size of a brick!

DirtyHarry

Not a weepy eyed story - but an encounter I will never forget. In the 80's my company ran joint promotions with Miller Beer, and I had the opportunity to meet a number of the "great taste - less filling" characters. As a result I spent a day with Sparky Lyle visiting our key customers in NY. He had a ton of stories - Nettles and Thurmon hating Reggie.....Bullpen groupie girls.....toughest guys to get out.... Billy Martin being sloshed......Steinbrenner encounters - that sort of stuff.

Although he did not play with Mantle, he also had a ton of Mickey stories. Of note, the Mick's favorite libation was Absolute on the rocks, with a Grand Marinier chaser !!

Long story short, at the end of the day Sparky and I check in to the Uniondale LI Marriott, and meet down at the bar about 7:30. He orders, and we down, around 8 rounds of Miller Lite. Every so often, somebody recognizes him and he gives an autograph. Most of the time, he just keeps telling more stories, and I tell him stories about growing up in NY as a Yankee fan and how Mantle was my childhood idol. A little after midnight the crowd thins out, and in honor of The Mick - he starts ordering us rounds of Absolute with Grand Marnier chasers!! About 2 AM, there were a couple of hangers on - notably a pair of blonde sisters dressed in 80's style leopard skin jump suits. Prospects were good. I made the mistake of stumbling to the head. When I returned Sparky and the duo were gone! I can't say for certain, but I believe Sparky's handlebar stash may have been put to some good use. When I called his room the next morning to confirm our breakfast meeting, he had already checked out.

Hope I didn't take this thread for a downturn. I do have some sentimental stuff, but this one always sticks in my mind. Regards.

Robby

This isn't really a Baseball or sports related story , but there is a Set Registry on these guys , and a quite popular one at that ! You get a chance , check out the " 1959 Fleer Three Stooges " Set Registry ! Alot of entries registered ! Anyway , it was around the late 50's or early 60's , the Illinois State Fair had the 'The Three Stooges' as one of there headline acts for the Grandstand shows ! The Stooge's were the Grand Marshall's for the opening State Fair parade ! I was a big fan of there's , as I'm sure most of you from that era watched them on TV ! They were the Laurel + Hardy of our generation ! Anyway , I'm there at the Fair with my Mom and sister , and here come the 3 Stooge's down Main Street after the parade in one of them horse drawn Clydesdales Teams , Moe , Curly and Larry , bigger than life , right before my eye's ! They stop for a moment , because the crowd is blocking there way , so everyone edges a little closer , and a lady yells out for Moe to sign an autograph for her son ! And Moe reply's " Lady , buy a ticket to the show " , and blew her and everyone else off ! A real jerk ! Never felt the same about them after that ! They truely were morons , it wasn't an act ! And you guy's that I was going to tell a real tearjerker , didn't you ! ...........................Robbie

Pinchdatail

Robby - I remember that!! What I really liked was when Moe torqued the kid's nose with a pipe wrench, slapped him and then double-poked the mother's eyes! That Moe - what a riot!