Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

[MikeSimon]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Mark Messier

I was with my sister-in-law and my son who was maybe 6-7 yrs old. We were in the HSBC arena after the Sabres had soundly defeated Messier's Canucks. this was a special area in the arena where players came out of their dressing rooms and waited for their team bus. Security is very tight there and you have to know someone to get in.

Messier comes walking out with another player, speaks to a couple of puck bunnies, sighns something for them and then comes towards us. I said, " Mark, do you mind signing an autograph for my son. He's a big fan!". Messier walked right by us muttering something to himself and then stood off in the corner with this other player.

Needless to say I am no longer a Mark Messier fan. Pavel Bure came out right after Messier and took pictures with us and signed whatever we wanted....a great guy!

Mike

[jake33]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Wow, after reading all of everyone else's experiences, most of them would eb very embarassing moments not just for the athlete but for you, the fan. Amazing how some athletes just don't get the big picture and really how close they were to not even playing pro sports...

[bscott]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

these posts have been a hoot to read.

before i tell my worst experience, i must say that most experiences with athletes reveal that they are pretty good people, who do what they can for the fans when they can. I have far too many good experiences to mention with folks like Jeter, cubs announcer Haray Caray, Johnny Bench, Johnny Damon, Mark McGwire, Bo Jackson, Sandy Koufax.. the list goes on and on.

that said, here's the dirt:

when i was about 9 or 10, i lived in Houston (transplanted from Chicago, so i was still a cubs fan) and attended quite a few Astros games. this was about 1983 or 84. Back then, most athletes had to exit the Astrodome and wade through a couple handfuls of fans and autograph seekers. even most of the star players would leave at the same exit to board the team bus. there was little security and no barriers to keep fans away from the players back then.

my family mostly went to Cubs games. so i met and got autographs from Ryne Sandberg, Jody Davis, Steve Trout, Jay Johnstone, Leon "bull" Durham and the like. Almost all good fellows who signed what they could as they hurriedly made their way from the building exit to the team bus. One day, Haray Caray came out long after the bus filled up, carring two heavy black briefcases, and even put those down for a moment to sign a couple autographs.

but one player, on one day, came out and refused to sign for anyone, even the kids like me. Mel Hall. I recall him making a pretty good diving catch in right field that game, but he was still pretty much a rookie. a cocky rookie. The man walked back and forth and back and forth asking where his limo was, as guys like Sandberg and Ron Cey walked by signing autographs. He wouldn't sign anything for anyone, and it was mostly kids like myself asking.

Well Mel Hall, where's your limo, now?

-bscott.

[ahuff]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Wow, after reading all of everyone else's experiences, most of them would eb very embarassing moments not just for the athlete but for you, the fan. Amazing how some athletes just don't get the big picture and really how close they were to not even playing pro sports...

I just loved your quote at the end. That is so true, and I don't think people really understand this concept. Especially some arrogant athletes and celebrities. My grandfather taught me something that keeps me grounded day after day. "He said no matter what you do or who you are, there is always someone better." I remember being stunned by the statement, and wanting to argue it. Names like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Ali flashed before me. However, once I thought about it, I just couldn't make an argument.

The media blitzes us, daily, with debates about "who's the greatest of all time". Well, here is the thing - we have probably never seen the best player at any sport.

We blindly believe that "the cream will always rise to the top". Well sometimes it does! But I bet more often than not, things get in the way. Family, surroundings, life choices, and sometimes plain unadulterated luck plays the biggest impact. A few great examples come to mind. . .Brett Favre, Mike Piazza, and Kurt Warner. If it wasn't for an insignificant trade (at the time), a favor done for a godson, and an injury to a solid quarterback we aren't even talking about these guys. What a waste that would have been.

I played high school ball with a guy that was the most gifted and creative basketball player in the region. (This includes Ricky Davis -of the NBA- as I was blessed to get to play against him in a pick up game between his senior year and college). This kid could have EASILY had a college scholarship and perhaps gone on to bigger and better things. All he needed was to be given encouragement by his parents or coach. However, non was given, so rarely did he even see game time. That frustrates me to this day.

Long story short, I wish more people could be like the Buck O'Neil's of the world. People that understand that they were truly blessed, and understood the role that those blessings had put them in. If a player doesn't want to sign autographs, be polite to people at the stadium, or make charity appearances, that is fine. However, I do believe that they should then quit and go back to a 9-5 job. Charles Barkley made the phrase "I'm not a role model" famous. Unfortunately, that is one of the most moronic statements I've heard from an anyone. Being a role model comes with the profession he chose. Like it or not! Can you imagine if I told my son that "I'm not a role model". Or, if treated my professional clients and employees the way some of these players/celebrities do?

So next time you're walking down the isles of your local grocery store, and you see that employee that you wish would "just get a life". Just think, he just might, and you might be looking at the next Kurt Warner.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

So next time you're walking down the isles of your local grocery store, and you see that employee that you wish would "just get a life". Just think, he just might, and you might be looking at the next Kurt Warner.

Sorry, dude. I try not to pass judgement on anybody that has a job, period. You must live in Pleasantville. If you one day live in a city with crooks, panhandlers, drug dealers, identity-thieves, public-defacators, un-insured drivers, male-prostitutes and transvestites, then you will have a newfound respect and admiration for bagboys, stock-workers and clerks.

Autograph-seekers have dollar signs in their eyes. Everyone wants something for free. Athletes and celebrities are people and can't be "on-call" to accomodate the fanatics....err fans that camp outside the hotel, lying in wait.
I can't imagine a parent saying to their kid: "why can't you be more like Charles Barkley?"
In the words of the immortal Ice Cube..."to a kid lookin' up to me-life ain't nothing but b*t*hes and money..."

[ahuff]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Sorry, dude. I try not to pass judgement on anybody that has a job, period. You must live in Pleasantville. If you one day live in a city with crooks, panhandlers, drug dealers, identity-thieves, public-defacators, un-insured drivers, male-prostitutes and transvestites, then you will have a newfound respect and admiration for bagboys, stock-workers and clerks."

Despite the fact that you were being a smart arse, you actually agreed with my statement. That was my point exactly!!! Don't think more highly of yourself than you do of them.

About living in pleasantville. . .I don't. I believe we have those in most places that have a population larger than 1. My only concern about the statement was why you didn't just say prostitutes? Is a male prostitute worse than a female one? But that does contradict your statement about not passing judgement on someone that has a job.

[3arod13]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Not a bad experience, but it was an honor and priviledge to meet Harmon Killebrew a few years ago. He visted my squadron. I also met Mr. Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers when he also visited my squadron. Memories I will never forget.

[Canseco44]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

This is not a bad experience, I guess we should post another thread since this is supposed to be about bad one. Anyways, in 2006 at a Houston Astros game I had the pleasure of meeting Jason Isringhausen of the St. Louis Cardinals. He must have stood in one spot for almost an hour and signed for close to a hundred people and even joked with everybody. He would even do personalizations. My thoughts ar he is a standup guy and someone I wouldn't mind my kids following his career. I am now collecting him and would love to have a game used bat labeled IZZY if anyone knows of one. Thats odd, the two players I collect are Isringhausen and Canseco. Any Thoughts?

Todd Ricks

[yanks12025]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

This does not really go along with some of your guys posts. But so far my worst experience was during 2005 at the WBC. And Moises alou was doing autographs at the end of the dugout. And there was a railing in my way. So i rolled the ball to him it hit his arm and almost made him drop another persons ball while he was signing it thank god he did not. He did sign my baseball but when he looked up to roll it back he gave me like a mad stare it was kinda funny though.

[jonpaulmoen]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Not necessarily a "worst" experience, but sometime between '89-91, I had the chance to caddy for Kevin McHale at Golden Valley Country Club in Golden Valley Minnesota. He didn't really talk to me and just gave me $20 for about 4 hours worth of work. He did though let me get a photo of him and I at the end. Damn he had huge golf clubs!

Was at a Twins game in the early 90's when they were playing the mariners. I was hanging out watching batting practice when Ken Griffey Jr. walked by. I was about 15 or 16 yo and was surrounded by a bunch of younger kids who, when they saw him, were of course all yelling "can I get your autograph?" Griffey turned to all of us and in a really cocky kind of way and said, "Not right now." Just the way he said it left a bad taste in my mouth for the last decade or so. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he wiped the smiles off all those kids faces in an instant.

[sicollector1954@insightbb.com]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

My worst experience or one I remember so vividly was when I attended a baseball game in St. Louis with the Cardinals and the Reds. I was 7 or 8 if I remember correctly. After the game, my father and I waited out in the back area to see if any ball players came out to board the team bus. I had a program in my hand from the game and a pencil. Pretty soon Pete Rose came out and when I politely asked for his autographed he looked at me and said..."Sorry, I'm not Pete Rose." Then another player came out a couple of minutes later and signed my program. It was the Reds pitcher-Jack Billingham. After signing he turned and yelled at the first player who had already boarded--"Hey Pete, I'll catch you in a couple of minutes!"

One of my nicest experiences was taking a Lou Gehrig bat to Comiskey park a few years ago and making a huge sign asking Cal Ripken to sign my Gehrig bat. I had to get special permission to take the bat in from the head of security at the park and also be lucky enough to catch his attention and interest after his warm ups. As he was leaving the field after batting practice, I asked him if he would sign it--he motioned for the bat...looked at it...took a couple of cuts with it...and sat down on the dugout steps and autographed it...then handed it back and thanked me for letting him see it as well as I thanking him back. It was the only item he signed at the park that entire evening. How lucky did I feel with 16,000 plus people in the stands that night.
A truly class act all the way and still continues that way at shows as well. Congratulations on todays HOF election!

[topekabob]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

One good, one bad, one great, one middling experience and a good non-sports experience:

Good: I was about 12 years old and was on the field for an old-timers game before a Portland Beaver baseball game. I asked Ernie Banks for a photo and a signed ball and he was the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Still have the photo. I look like a dork, but it's a great photo.

Bad: Saw Hank Aaron standing by the dugout, doing nothing, and went over and said "Mr. Aaron, would you please sign my ball?" He looked at me with disdain, took the ball, and without looking at it, scribbled something that was totally incromprehensible and unrecognizable. Handed it back to me and still wouldn't look at me. Made me a feel like a idiot.

Great: Snuck down to the bullpen during a Beavers game (amazingly, a vendors hat did the trick - remember, I was 12) and sat down on the bench next to former Red Sox hurler Rick Wise. We chatted and then I asked him if he would show me how to throw the curve. He gets up and gives me a five minute pitching lesson - during the game! Then we sit down and he looks at me and says "Shouldn't you be up there selling something?" I said I was on "break." Nice guy, needless to say.

Middling: During a spring training game I caught a foul ball and brought it up to Frank Robinson, who was sitting in the stands. I had my 2 year old son with me and asked him to sign it for my son. He signed it but said that he "doubted this was for my son." The ball now sits in my 10 year old sons room and he cherishes it. I guess Frank was a little jaded that day.

Great non-sports: Saw Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) in a play in London. After the play went to the stage door and when he came out he not only signed my program, but when I told him I loved the play, he looked at me and said "Thanks so much for coming, I really appreciate it."
He stayed and signed everything for everybody that was there.

I have to admit, I've never had a pro athlete say "Thanks so much for coming" to me at a ball game!

[mdube16]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

I have to admit, I've never had a pro athlete say "Thanks so much for coming" to me at a ball game!

For what its worth, Scott Kazmir said that exact thing to my wife and I when we got his autograph before a Marlins/Devil Rays game earlier this month. I guess he was surprised anyone showed up at all!!

[bigticket]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

In junior high and high school I enjoyed going down to the Metrodome and getting autographs before Twins games. At that time it was much easier.

Anyway when the Royals were in town around 1990 I am guessing Kirby Puckett and Bo Jackson were heading inside together by the entrance near the outside ticket windows. Everyone else in the small group outside went to Kirby and as usual he signed something for everyone. I, completely alone with not a person around me, had a new official league ball and asked Bo Jackson very politely if he would sign it as he kept going when Kirby stopped. His response without looking directly at me was and I quote, "Look out kid or else." And he kept walking and went inside. Keep in mind it was me and him and not another soul within talking distance. Nice guy.

[XPFO]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Worst experience....while in Toronto when the Expos were in town, Felipe alou leaves his hotel and begins to walk to the ballpark. Stops at a red light, I ask him to sign a ball. He (while carrying a large bottle of rum in a brown paper bag) starts giving me this huge spiel about how it is against Major League Baseball policy to sign autographs outside of the stadium....total lie, to each their own.

Best experience.....while in Toronto when Juan Gonzalez played for the Tigers, Juan was sitting out front of his sotel drinking a coffee. Asked him for an autograph signed the ball on the sweetspot, started chatting him up about his homerun the night before. told him I would be cheering for him at the game tonite...he asked me if I needed a ride to the ballpark and we shared a cab to the game. That meant I was at the ballpark 2 1/2 hours early for the game mind you and I got no more sigs that day, but fantastic story and memory (and ball)

Other great players to sign who seemed to enjoy it Rod Beck (RIP), Dikembe Mutombo, Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers...signs every last item you have..if you had 10 cards, he would sign all 10, Torii Huner...will chat your ear off, Sean Green, Ed Sprague...there are many more.

Pricks....Jim Mcilvaine...would ask you a trivia question about something irrelevant and if you answered it wrong he would write, "Back to School" on your card

Allen Iverson...total tool, but not as much so as his bodyguard back when they played the Raptors in the playoffs...that is a long story.