My favorite story of meeting a ballplayer

[ls7plus]

I don't usually collect autographs (have just a few favorites--Mays, Aaron, Killebrew, Ryan, Schmidt, etc.), but I was going to be in Boston in 1999 about the time of the All-Star Game, and thought what the heck, I'll take a ball along in case I happen to run into any of the players. As it turned out, I happened to take a walk right by the hotel where the players were staying the day after the game, about the time they were checking out and the valets were bringing cars around. Joe Torre and Tony Gwynn were most gracious signers. And then I saw Jeter. I very politely asked if he would also sign the ball, and will always remember his rude, gruff response: "I only sign for da kids!" And indeed, he did sign a few balls that kids brought up to him for his autograph. Only trouble was, these kids he signed for were being fed baseballs by a couple of dealers off to the side, over by the curb! Every time I've seen him since on TV, the same derogatory thought goes through my mind: "Jeeeeter Jerk!"

When you think about it, Jeter's very premise was extremely insulting: If you're an adult and you're asking for my autograph, you're just going to sell it. I suppose that when he gets older, he'll come to realize that a lot of the little boy fan remains inside all of us that love the game, and maybe even realize what a tremendous jerk some of us will always remember him as because of his prior actions. Sure, some adults might just put the autograph on e-bay, but I wouldn't have been one of them, and even if I had, what would it have cost this jerk but a couple of seconds of his time? He needs a few lessons in manners from guys like Frank Howard, Harmon Killebrew, Cal Ripkin and Brooks Robinson, and after the way this memory has ingrained itself in my mind over the years, I'd absolutely relish the opportunity to tell him exactly that, right to his face!

Jeeeeter-Jerk!

Larry

[steve B]

Great Feller story.

I wish he'd been doing that when I saw him in 74 or 75. I'd have loved to try a swing or two. I wonder of he'd have eased up a bit for a 12 year old? He was pitching a home run derby between games of a doubleheader. And sitting in the stands signing for a bit of the second game. I didn't get to hit, but I did get to talk baseball for an inning or so since all the adults were watching the game and drinking and the kids just wanted the paper the autos were on for paper planes. Bob Feller was really great, I wonder how many hall of famers would have spent any time with a 12 year old whose baseball skills wer sorely lacking. I learned a lot about pitching that day.

Steve B

[almostdone]

Great Feller story!

I have two stories one that I did meet and the one I was too younbg and stupid not to meet.

First a friend of mine invited me to a game in New York when I was a kid with his family. The best seats I ever had. 2nd row behind the visitors dugout. Turns out my friends dad was a friend of Tommy Lasorta (Dodgers werein town vs. the Mets). Thgey exchanged hellos accross the dugout before the game. I was stunned. After the game we went to eat and happened to sit next to the table where HOFer Ralph Kiner was sitting. He was a Met announcer at the time so I knew who he was but sisn't really know anything about his HOF carrer. After much prompting and nerves I wen up and asked for his autograph. He was gracious and polite and signes my scorecard I still had in hand.

The other story of stupidity came when I was in college and just getting into buying cards. I went to a smallish show to see what was new. There was a guest star signing that day. I watched him from a distance and was impressed that he took the time to talk to everyone wanting a autograph about baseball, his career, history or anything else. I only had a bit of money left but decided to take my chance on a few more packs rather than take the chance to meet and talk to the great Warren Spahn. I don't know what packs I bought that day but I wish I had a bit more foresight. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!

[Big Ben]

Nice Feller story. I had a great experience with Feller at a lightly promoted Memorial Day weekend baseball card show near my hometown around 1984. Feller was there and very bored as there were probably 25 people in the room. So for about 2 hours, I had a conversation with the Hall of Famer and we talked about everything from baseball, Indianapolis 500, and the Titanic! I still remember Feller telling me that he thought that the captain of the Titanic was drunk as when he was on a ship, as he could smell an iceberg a mile away.
Good time!

[CTDean]

Mentioned this a few years ago, but here it is again.

In the mid 1950's our Little League seasons always opened with a parade, which included Frank Baker riding in the lead car. Four teams would play two games and Mr. Baker would stay for both, sitting on the bleachers and happy to talk to any kid that sat down beside him. I sat and talked with him a number of times, but was too young to understand his importance to the game. Funny thing, I never remember anyone ever asking Mr. Baker for an autograph, in either of the three years he attended our opening day. I do remember the parade was extra special one year, as it also celebrated his election to the Hall of Fame.