http://www.bnd.com/2011/02/27/160449...n-the-man.html
I met Stan in 1995. I was managing the private club in the outfield of the Blue Jays stadium, then called the SkyDome in Toronto. Stan was enjoying a dinner and game with about 10 business colleagues and having q great time. He was very jovial and agreed to sign anything that was presented to him by the other patrons. Somewhere about the 5th inning he called me over to the table and asked if I could take him and his friends down to the field level.
I had excellent access to the clubhouse area, even during game time so I agreed that it shouldn't be an issue, especially as I would be escorting a HOF'er. So we got the group together and set off to take a freight elevator down to the field. We all piled in, that is, everyone except Stan! I jumped out as he was heading back to his seat, halted the elevator and politely asked him if he was OK.
He mentioned that he had a little indigestion and wanted me to continue on without him. I knew it would be a challenge getting 9 men anywhere interesting during the game without Stan or another ball player in tow, but I went along. It worked about pretty well and I toured the group behind the outfield wall (a home run was hit while we were there and one of my group picked it up), past the home and away bullpens (players came down from their seats and signed autos) and then to the clubhouse entrance. Finally we retuned to the restaurant and Stan had left!
He left a note for menthat he had a headache and had returned to his room in the Hotel in the stadium. Inside the note was $400 and a signed photo!
I followed up with a note to his room asking if he was OK (worried that the restaurant's food didn't agree with him) and urging him to please take his cash back, as it was too big a gift for such a simple favor.
Stan came to see me the next day and gave me the warmest greeting and said that i done him a huge favor - he needed to get away from on of his dining companions (something about verbal diarrhea) and I had done that and shown his companions a great time.
At the end of our short meeting he took back the offered $400 and gave me a new envelope, this time with $500 inside!