Quote:
Originally Posted by David Atkatz
One day in the summer of 1966 I met Mickey Mantle outside Yankee Stadium. It was about the seventh inning, he had left the game early, showered, dressed, and walked out. No one there but him and me. He signed a baseball for me, got in his car and drove away. It was an experience I haven't forgotten these past fifty-nine years. And unless I develop dementia, I doubt I'll ever forget.
Standing in line after having paid my money, finally getting to stand in front of my seated hero while he signs whatever is put in front of him without looking up, and then quickly moving on? An experience I'd much rather forget. And probably will.
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Several years back me and a close friend of mine took his son to see the Padres play their farm team the Storm. After the game, we happened to be in the parking lot playing catch with my friend's son. We were not waiting on players, just playing catch and waiting for the traffic to clear a little. Trevor Hoffman, who was at the height of his career, happened to come out with his son. Not many people around and he stopped to visit. His son played catch with my friend's son for about 5 minutes or so while we talked. We all shook hands and he left. No autographs, etc., just talked about how well the team was doing. This was a class act that I don't think I'll forget either.
Trevor may not have the stature of Mickey Mantle, but he is a hell of a nice gentleman.
I would like to think that most of them are, except when doing something they are being paid for.