Close Encounters of The Pro Athlete Kind

[Spudboy]

Seeing how things are a little slow on the Baseball front, I thought it might be time for another meaningless Spudboy thread.

 

I am asking all members to contribute their stories about meeting pro athletes. Maybe you were at an autograph signing. Maybe you met him (or her) at a store.

 

Share your story.

 

I'll start.

 

Living in a major league city has provided me with a lot of opportunities to meet pro athletes.

My most memorable concerns one of the most talented basketball players of all time.

 

Connie Hawkins.

 

In the spring of 1972 I was a sophomore in high school and a basketball junkie.

At this time, there was a very big high school basketball all star tournament being held in Boston at Boston Universitie's Case Center.

 

Teams from Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Atlanta were in attendance.

 

Players? Adrian Dantley, Bo Ellis, Ricky Green, Ernie Grunfeld, Bernard King, Wayne "Tree" Rollins, and others.

 

Prior to a game, I approached the coach of the Pittsburgh team under the basket.

Connie Hawkins. He was a forward for the Suns at that point. 6'9" plus about 4" of fro.

I'm about 4'10''. I started a conversation with him. He was a little put off initially. Who is this little white dwarf? How does he know my life story? I had just read "Foul, The Connie Hawkins Story". I offered my hand to shake. He extended his hand towards me. Holly s***! His hand enveloped my arm! Longest fingers in the world!

 

We talked about his life in New York and the trouble he had experienced in college. Playing for the Globetrotters, and Herman The Helicopter. And Melvin Bennett. The star of his team. The conversation lasted about ten minutes. The memory has lasted a lifetime.

 

I have other stories that I will share.

 

How about you?

[26 to 6]

I've got a few but one that sticks out to me is meeting Willie McGee at a pizzeria in Cooperstown the day of Ozzie Smith's induction ceremony. Despite being a Yankee fan Ozzie has always been one of my all-time favorites ever since seeing him do backflips as a little kid. Anyway, Willie's waiting for his slice to come out of the oven, I walk up to the counter grab a little piece of paper with the pizza shops name and phone number on it, grab a pen out of the cup they had sitting there and asked him for an autograph. He signed it but was kind of a dick though.

[YanksHater213]

Had dinner with Ray Bourque once. Also went to his agents house to see the Stanley Cup. Good person.

[bsox0407]

I was in Colorado in 2004 and Tim Wakefield, Kevin Millar, and Trot Nixon were eating dinner next to us and we got a picture of Kevin. Trot and Wake were kinda embarassed.

 

Also in Colorado in the Center of Town Derek Lowe was just standing there so I got his Autograph and i have seen Jim Rowe a few times. He will never give me his autograph though.

 

We used to stay in the same hotels as the Red Sox so I have like 5 or 6 Balls with autographs. Lou Merloni is the best though. he was signing in front of the hotel for me and my brother and he stopped and took a picture with me and my bro.

[redsoxrevenge]

OJ Simpson at a Miami night club.

[Dipre]

I've partied with Hanley Ramirez a number of times. Dude's a party animal.

[Spudboy]

I've partied with Hanley Ramirez a number of times. Dude's a party animal.

 

What?

 

No details?

 

DR quif.

 

Presitante.

 

Blacked-out Hummers with 20" chrome wheels.

 

f***. We have that in sparrow fart Massachusetts.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I had dozens and dozens of conversations with Mike Golic when I worked at ESPN, and I have run into many athletes and had either quick conversations or simple hellos (we were not allowed to ask for autographs, obviously). As far as really meeting athletes, I've met some, enough that I don't want to list all. The only one I will mention is because it was the best, was when I actually sat at a bar with Jerome Bettis the year after he retired and talked football for about half an hour. He signed the coaster for me.

[Keeper]

I've partied with Hanley Ramirez a number of times. Dude's a party animal.

 

If I were you, I would drop subtle hints that he should return to Boston.

 

"You know you'd be treated like a god if you came back."

 

Okay, not so subtle. But it's worth a try.

[Spudboy]

I had dozens and dozens of conversations with Mike Golic when I worked at ESPN' date=' and I have run into many athletes and had either quick conversations or simple hellos (we were not allowed to ask for autographs, obviously). As far as really meeting athletes, I've met some, enough that I don't want to list all. The only one I will mention is because it was the best, was when I actually sat at a bar with Jerome Bettis the year after he retired and talked football for about half an hour. He signed the coaster for me.[/quote']

 

As a Pats fan I have some reasons to resent the Steelers (SB tickets reservations booked before the Conference Championship game).

 

But I've always admired the Bus. Big guy that just played tough. I'd take him on my team in a heartbeat. Also, I saw a report on TV that showed him trying to walk down a flight of stairs the morning after a game. I felt sorry for him. He could hardly move.

 

Also, he was honest. He said that the Pats had kicked the Steeler's asses in that game.

 

Thanks D.

[Spudboy]

If I were you, I would drop subtle hints that he should return to Boston.

 

"You know you'd be treated like a god if you came back."

 

Okay, not so subtle. But it's worth a try.

 

?????

 

How about actually trying to contribute to the thread?

 

I am confident that you can do it.

[Keeper]

I did contribute to the thread. I told Dipre he should use his limited contact with Hanley to plant the seed of returning to Boston in his head.

 

Sorry my post didn't meet your criteria. I don't have any interesting encounters. Take a chill pill.

[Spudboy]

I did contribute to the thread. I told Dipre he should use his limited contact with Hanley to plant the seed of returning to Boston in his head.

 

Sorry my post didn't meet your criteria. I don't have any interesting encounters. Take a chill pill.

 

Sorry. I misread your post.

 

No need for me to chill. I just need sleep!

 

Hanley back to the Sox won't happen. And Dipre actually knows the guy.

 

Keep keeping on.

 

Peace. Spud.

[Cocos Disciples]

No really "close" encounters, but I've met Dwight Evans (posted it here), and had a solid conversation with Sal Fasano.

[Nutriaitch]

couple guys currently playing up in Boston.

Kevin Faulk when he was still at LSU, I met him at fan day.

Big Baby Davis sat next to me on a flight from New Orleans to Houston when he was still a Tiger.

 

 

I played High School football against Jake Delhomme (twice).

Dude was damn good in HS.

 

 

Former Saints players I've met through work:

Dalton Hilliard

Bobby Hebert

Rickey Jackson

J.J. McCluskey

[Spudboy]

Today, while discussing public transportation with a friend, I was reminded of my first encounter with a big name athlete.

 

I was about 8 or 9 years old in the early sixties. My Mom had never learned to drive so we always took the bus anywhere that we needed to go. We lived in Louisville, Kentucky at the time.

 

Mom and I were sitting at a bus stop waiting for a bus. The bus stop was at an intersection. A pink Cadillac convertible pulled up and stopped at the red light in front of us. A young black man driving the vehicle looked over at us. I made eye contact with him. He said "You know who I am?".

 

I responded "you're the champ".

 

It was Cassius Clay.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Today, while discussing public transportation with a friend, I was reminded of my first encounter with a big name athlete.

 

I was about 8 or 9 years old in the early sixties. My Mom had never learned to drive so we always took the bus anywhere that we needed to go. We lived in Louisville, Kentucky at the time.

 

Mom and I were sitting at a bus stop waiting for a bus. The bus stop was at an intersection. A pink Cadillac convertible pulled up and stopped at the red light in front of us. A young black man driving the vehicle looked over at us. I made eye contact with him. He said "You know who I am?".

 

I responded "you're the champ".

 

It was Cassius Clay.

 

Was it a pompous "you know who I am?" or was he surprised someone recognized him?

 

Anyway I said hi to Johnny Damon at an autograph signing in a local sports memorabilia store. He seemed like a good guy

[Spudboy]

Was it a pompous "you know who I am?" or was he surprised someone recognized him?

 

Anyway I said hi to Johnny Damon at an autograph signing in a local sports memorabilia store. He seemed like a good guy

 

No. He was not being an ass as I recall. It was a very brief encounter. He had just come back from Rome or had just beat Liston. I don't know which.

 

The light turned green and off he went.

[Nutriaitch]

couple I left off my original list.

 

Met LaRon Landry after the Sugar Bowl after the '06 season.

Wet sat 20 rows from the field. He came up into the stands to talk to his parent who were sitting the row right in front of us.

 

Also, I caught a pass from Rohan Davey in the Arena league.

He was playing for New York, and they came to New Orleans. Sitting 4th row, and his pass was deflected by a DB, and came right to me.

Never met the guy though.

[Spudboy]

This one is for the hockey fans on Talksox.

 

My family moved to the Boston area in 1966. My Dad was a big hockey fan having played in Europe, high school, and college. He was, for the most part, not very involved with my life. But somehow I was chosen to attend Bruin games at the Garden with him.

 

Back then, the NHL had six teams. Boston, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, and Detroit.

 

Dad took me to a game early in the season against the Black Hawks. I had no idea what I was watching. But it was cool. Lots of cigar smoke and blood. And noise.

 

After the game, Dad suggested that we hang around and see if we could see some players in the lobby.

My Dad said that there were two really talented rookies playing for the Bruins. Wayne Rivers. And Bobby Orr. I had a game program in my hands and Dad said that I might be able to get an autograph.

Along comes Bobby Orr. Mind you, at this point, he was not a star. My Dad shoved me towards Orr.

 

"Excuse me. Do you know where I can find Wayne Rivers?". Orr grabbed my program and signed it.

"He's over there". Lol.

 

I got Wayne Rivers' signature! Dad was happy.

 

Then Bobby Hull (no hair plugs yet, and few teeth). And Stan Mikita. To this day, the best dressed man I have met! Lol.

 

I went to more games with Dad. I got autographs from Jean Beliveoux (sp), Henry Richard, Gordy Howe, Johny Bucyk (sp) and others.

 

Wow. that was so long ago.