Have you ever met any Red Sox players in person?

[StephenCurry30]

Just wondering if anyone here ever ran into any current or former Red Sox players and what you opinion was of them as a person? Or in any sport for that matter.

 

I had the opportunity to meet Pedro Martinez in the airport one time where I guess he was picking up family or something. he was extremely polite and nice and had no problem signing an autograph for me. He was a bit hard to understand because his thick accent but was a very nice dude overall.

 

Also saw Dwight Howard at Disney World, he basically told me no pictures, no autographs, he's busy, ignored everyone around him and I guess its understandable, he was with a girl and a little boy, I'm assuming his son.

 

Feel free to share you experiences.

[User Name]

Ortiz, Hanley, Pedro, all here in the Dominican. I even took a photo with Ortiz which I display proudly in my Facebook!

[S5Dewey]

I'm not sure if this counts or not, but in March of 2015 I sat across the aisle on a plane from Philadephia to Florida from Josh Ockimey, who had just been drafted by the Sox. He and I had a nice conversation, mostly about baseball and his excitement about being drafted (and receiving a $450,000 signing bonus). He's going to be in Greenville this year.

 

He's a very nice young man, very polite and affable. I'm wishing him well and hoping he gets to Portland soon so I can get to see him play there.

[TheBabeStrikesBack]

I got to meet Kevin Millar in Ft Lauderdale during spring training. What a tool.

 

Although he did get a kick out of my "Hey Boston, 1 for 86 still sucks!" tshirt.

[SoxHop]

Jim Rice, Mike Torrez, Luis Tiant, and a few others I could remember.

 

Most were at autograph signings in Maine at the Scarborough Down Horse track.

 

Jim I remember well. It was after a day game that went extra innings and they lost. So the signing was delayed and we had to wait a long time. I'm pretty sure he was pissed off after the game and having to do the signing. I was young, maybe 8 or so. I asked him how to throw a curve ball, he said "you're too young kid".

[Youk Of The Nation]

No, the closest I've come to anyone is getting a hat signed by Papelbon as he walked the front row of seats pre-game, when I went to a game at Camden Yards. But I didn't talk to him, there were a lot of other people crowding around. I actually had to hand the hat to someone else to hand to him.

 

I've met a few non-Sox players though, all of them when I was working as a security guard at ESPN HQ in Bristol. I escorted Jorge Posada through a building to a studio, we chatted a bit (his English isn't spectacular, but he was nice). I also briefly exchanged greetings with Jeter, David Wright, and Mike Scocsia.

[TheBabeStrikesBack]

I also got to meet Smokin' Joe Frazier after a de la Hoya fight at MSG back in 1995.

 

What a great guy! Shook his hand and his engulfed mine, made me feel like a little kid.

 

Over the years I have also met Guidry, Whitey Ford, Dennis Rodman, Scottie "No Tipping" Pippen, Dan Marino, Lorenzo White, Michael Irvin (complete jerk), Anthony Mason, Charles Barkley and Joe Girardi. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

[User Name]

Actually, I met Moises Alou when I was in 7th grade and got a glove autographed by him, which I lost.

[a700hitter]

I met Yaz at an autograph signing in 1986. He was cordial, but obviously a very withdrawn personality.

 

I met Oil Can Boyd a couple of weeks ago at a Fenway event. He took pictures with us.

 

I met Remy in Fort Myers at the ballpark. He is great with the fans. He would sign autographs for everyone and anyone in between innings of his broadcast.

 

I got Hanley's autograph in Fort Myers in Spring Training of 2004. He looked like a little kid back then. A few minutes after meeting Hanley, El Tiante pulled over in his SUV and signed for a group of fans.

[sk7326]

I wished Mo Vaughn a happy thanksgiving at a Celtics game. I also had a chance to talk to and meet Jay Williams (who went to Duke, drafted #2 and is a college basketball talking head on ESPN) after a game at the Boston Shootout when he was in high school.

 

There are a lot of other athletes I saw at autograph sessions and stuff (Aramark Wear Guard in Rockland, MA had guys down regularly) - but I don't think that is what you had in mind.

[Bellhorn04]

I also got to meet Smokin' Joe Frazier after a de la Hoya fight at MSG back in 1995.

 

What a great guy! Shook his hand and his engulfed mine, made me feel like a little kid.

 

Over the years I have also met Guidry, Whitey Ford, Dennis Rodman, Scottie "No Tipping" Pippen, Dan Marino, Lorenzo White, Michael Irvin (complete jerk), Anthony Mason, Charles Barkley and Joe Girardi. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

 

I was at Fenway in 1975 with a friend who was a big Yankee fan. We were there before a game with the Yankees and Catfish Hunter walked over close to where we were. My friend asked if he could take his picture. Catfish smiled and said 'Sure, I just hope I don't crack your camera' or something like that.' He was cool.

[VA Sox Fan]

I got Remy's autograph at Spring Training in 2004.

 

I got Jason Varitek's autograph while all flights were stranded at the Cleveland Airport. He was cordial and quiet. It was in 2008.

[mvp 78]

I've met Mo Vaughn a couple of times. Was always great with kids. I was snubbed by that Nomar goober once outside of an Italian restaurant in Manhattan Beach.

 

My wife played in a softball game with Fred Lynn. She said he seemed very nice and down to earth.

[TheBabeStrikesBack]

I was at Fenway in 1975 with a friend who was a big Yankee fan. We were there before a game with the Yankees and Catfish Hunter walked over close to where we were. My friend asked if he could take his picture. Catfish smiled and said 'Sure, I just hope I don't crack your camera' or something like that.' He was cool.

 

Pretty cool.

 

Whitey Ford lives a few blocks from me. Used to see him out at a couple of bars but haven't the past few years. I heard it's due to health reasons.

 

Funny story, we have an Irish barmaid who worked at one of the bars he used to frequent. Obviously being from Ireland she had no idea who he was. One of the regulars asked her if she knew who the old timer was that she was serving and she said sure, his name is Whitey. We then had to explain to her that he was a legend. She was shocked and complimented what a gentleman he is.

[Spudboy]

Reggie Smith, Roghilio Morett, Carlton Fisk, Eric Wedge, Mo Vaughn, Nomar Graciapara.

 

Since others have posted non-Sox players:

 

Baseball - A few of the O's bullpen during their dominant years. I don't remember their names but I used to smoke cigars with one of them.

 

Hockey - Bobby Orr, Johhny Bucik ( sp ), Wayne Rivers, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Gordy Howe. Ken Hodge ( he used to "work" at a bakery where I worked ),.

 

Basketball - dozens although I don't recall all of them. I used to hang around the Garden about two hours before game time talking with Bob Ryan. Hambone Williams, John Havlecek, Dave Cowans ( I rode in his Mercedes with him ), Conny Hawkins, One of the Van Arsdale brothers, Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Bob Love, Spencer Haywood, Don Watts, Jack Sikma, Dennis Johnson, Dave Whole (sps), Geoff Pettri, Loyd Neal, Wayne Rollins, Adrian Dantley, Bo Ellis, Paul Westphal, and others.

 

Football - since I live in a town where many Pats players live, and I ran a business that many Pats players used - dozens of them!

 

Adam Vinieterri lived on my street and used to ask me about my lawn. Teddie Bruschi was a customer ( actually his Wife Heidi was ) and they lived about two blocks from me. They used to ride their bicycles on my street to visit Adam.

Ty Law was a nice guy, although he did not fully appreciate my humor. Ben Watson was huge! Ted Johnson was nice.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Spudboy

[bosoxmal]

Sometime after Ted Williams retired, my wife and I walked into the Hancock Inn (Hancock, NH,) Ted was with a friend and sitting at at a window table directly across from the front entrance. As I recall they were the only ones in the restaurant. We sat down, and when Ted's friend went to the jionh, I wandered over and said something about always being excited when I could get to the ballpark in his playing days. I did not ask for an autograph. I was not carrying a menu. I guess he appreciated my waiting until he was alone. Not long after, when we were ordering, the waitress told us that TW was paying for our lunch. If I had to guess, I would say it was November 1967. The hunting season.

[moonslav59]

I met Tommy Harper when he was a Brewer and I lived 2 blocks from the olf County Stadium. I was just 10 years old.

It was at a NAACP civil rights march led by Father Groppi through the streets of Milwaukee. ,He was not the bitter man some Sox fans view him as after his squabbles with Sox management over institutional racism

Tommy became my favorite player that day, and when he was traded to the Red Sox shortly after my family moved to Maine, I became a Sox fan.

[Hugh2]

Back in 2007 about a month after we won the world series I met Kevin Youkilis and Manny Delcarmen. Youk had a charity even the following day and was at Mohegan sun ring side for some Muay Thai fights. Since I was cornering a fight that night I had the credentials to be in the VIP area he seemed very unexcited to talk to a fan, Manny on the other hand was very nice, he was there with his wife and kids. Since he was a rookie I think he was still excited to have people excited to know who he was.

 

I also ended up going shot for shot with a few of the Patriots offense lineman, but at this point I was inebriated and for the life of me can't remember who.

[Kimmi]

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting any Sox players outside of some autographs.

 

I met David Wright at a charity event at the bowling alley.

[Jackie Jensen MVP]

Dan Osinski conducted a baseball clinic for the various playgrounds in my town in 1966. A few of us were selected to take one swing at his pitches. My buddy was the only one to make contact. Everyone else swung and missed.

 

I kinda met Bruce Hurst. In March 1987, my wife, my 3 yr old son, 6 month old daughter and I were waiting in line in Sea World. A family walked up behind us in line. I immediately recognized Bruce who had a huge World Series in '86. He was with his wife, children and mother or mother in law. I nodded hello to him. But I didn't speak to him or ask for an autograph because I knew if I did, he would be inundated with requests from the line of people building behind us. He knew that I recognized him. And I think he was appreciative that he and his family were left alone.

[iortiz]

Wow! A lot of great memories and expiriences here. Congrats to all.

 

I haven't had the opportunity to meet someone yet. I would like the meet David Ortiz. He's my favorite baseball player ever. What it's funny is that my uncle has the same name --David Ortiz-- and he doesn't even know who Big Papi is LOL!

[bowman]

Back in the mid 60's, as a kid my cousin was a bat boy for the Pittsfield Red Sox. Talk about not knowing who I was hanging with. Many days I would go to the park all times of the day with him and just hang out. I can remember sitting in the dugout, playing catch, and shagging flies. I even had to run errands for some of the players. Almost every day Hey kid here, run over to the store and get some of that penny candy. lol.. Some of the players were Pudge Fisk, Reggie Smith ( mean sob), Bill Lee, George Scott, Bob Montgomery, Carmon Fanzone, Kemmer Brett, Rick Miller, Eddie Poplowski Mgr. , Great memories, and most of these guys were great down to earth dudes.

[willy mo pop up]

I live in Las Vegas and back in the day Marty Barrett lived here I looked him up in phone book and called him he was super nice . I think he was suprized a kid called him lol .

[bosoxmal]

I met a guy who had been, before he got married, a star in what was called, "the Old New England League". He lived in Greenfield, but played for Keene. He was born in 1886, and he was 28 when I met him. He was standing beside my bed when I was born ---in Keene in 1924. My dad died young (at 63) but never stopped being my No. 1 hero! Best advice he ever gave me was, don't ever go to work for the railroad.

[royf19]

Mike Greenwell. Had a conversation with him. Didn't like him as a player, but after meeting, I liked the guy.

 

Frank Viola.

 

Dave Roberts.

 

Mo Vaughn.

[Spudboy]

Mike Greenwell. Had a conversation with him. Didn't like him as a player, but after meeting, I liked the guy.

 

Frank Viola.

 

Dave Roberts.

 

Mo Vaughn.

 

Ah, The Gator!!!!

 

I forgot about Greenwell!!!

 

I knew his Wife, Tracy, from our business dealings. She had called me one day when I was out. When I returned her call, Mike answered. I never knew him. But Tracy was a peach.

[croc]

Luis Tiant when he was an active player taking 'IF practice" doing the ole in the '70's. He came over to the 3B boxes to smooze & sign autographs. My buddy and I complimented him on his defense. He winked and signed the balls we bought at Fenway (and foolishly played with). More recently at his restaurant, repeated the story about IF practice, he said "That's why I love Boston".

 

Doug Mirabelli who was helping to sell Sox wives cookbooks for charity, if you bought a cookbook he signed. I have that one. Nice guy and he wife was very pleasant too.

[royf19]

Oh, and I can't believe I forgot -- Johnny Pesky. Had a nice conversation with him back in 1993 for about a half hour.