Not baseball related but in 1995, I met Robert Plant and had the chance to talk with him for about 10 minutes but all I could really do is drool all over myself.
Any longer, I probably would have slipped on the mess and split my head open.
I would go with a couple colorful guys who I thought would be no BS and trust me enough to tell me what they really saw and thought knowing I wouldn't blab or look to quote them. That's why I would go with Bob Uecker, George Brett, or Kent Hrbek - stand up guys known for humor and spinning a yarn who have probably only talked about a fraction of what goes on in the clubhouse and kept their mouths shut regarding specifics. Hopefully after a few belts they would loosen up and give me a couple, "I'll tell you about that jackwagon...." stories.
Willie Mays, ask him what it was like to play with all the greats from the 50's and 60's. Chat about every pitcher he remembers facing and mentoring a young Barry Bonds.
I collect vintage PSA graded SF Giants, Willie Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal and Perry. And modern players like Buster Posey, Will Clark and Barry Bonds.
If I was still into coaching baseball, it would be Billy Martin. Despite his personality flaws he had an understanding of the game akin to a chess master. Besides strategy, of which he was thinking many innings ahead, he also understood you can't treat every player the same. It could be argued that Rickey Henderson may not have blossomed into the great player that he did without Billy as his early mentor.
I'd love to pick his brain on such things.
If I had to just sit and listen to stories it would be much harder to choose, Buck O'Neill and Vin Scully have already been mentioned and are great storytellers. Tommy Lasorda, of course, and Joe Garagiola would also be high on the list.
Comments
Nice story! Paige would definately be my second choice. I'm still hopin' I can get my hands on a Paige single signed baseball.
Scott
T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
1981 Topps FB PSA 10
1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up
My Sets
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Topps/OPC Hockey 1966-Present base sets
Other people I would consider: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Eddie Cicotte, Chick Gandil and Joe Jackson.
Dave
Any longer, I probably would have slipped on the mess and split my head open.
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however, if i could get a few hours, or days of Vin Scully's time and thoughts, it would quite likely be the greatest conquest ever.
I'd love to pick his brain on such things.
If I had to just sit and listen to stories it would be much harder to choose, Buck O'Neill and Vin Scully have already been mentioned and are great storytellers. Tommy Lasorda, of course, and Joe Garagiola would also be high on the list.
Ty Cobb
Christy Mathewson
Jackie Robinson