[bobbvc]

On June 18th 1979, me and a friend went to the Sheraton Hotel in San Diego (next to the airport) where the Cardinals were staying. We got a few autographs here and there from some of the players around the hotel. We saw Lou Brock sitting in the hotel restaurant by himself and waited patiently by the door. He saw us and waved us to his table. Me and my friend Jon wished him a happy birthday (it was his 40th) and he asked us to sit down.
He then told the waitress to bring us anything we wanted on his tab. We both ordered a typical breakfast for teenagers (both 14 at the time). He then spent the following hour talking baseball and anything else with us while signing 5 items for me and OVER 40 items for my friend Jon (he went on to become a lawyer FYI, just saying....)
I took my oldest son to a small card shop signing with Lou 30 years later in 2009, and HE Remembered Me! Even introduced me to his wife. I remember him sitting in that hotel restaurant/coffee shop on his 40th and I think he knew then, that was a turning point in his life (not meeting me, I mean turning 40 as a player and knowing it was pretty much over).
I've since read the book October 1964 (the month and year I was born) about the World Series and the changing of American society and race relations and learned a bit more about Lou Brock and gained even more respect for him. Anyway, I wish I had the time and writing talent to do this story justice, but in closing Lou Brock is a class Human Being and a pretty good ballplayer as well. I've met a few other Hofer's and many players but those stories will need to come later.