Has anyone out there had any NEGATIVE (OR POSITIVE) encounters with MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYERS??

Question

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT ANY NEGATIVE (OR POSITIVE) EXPERIENCES WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA, BUT I WILL TAKE STORIES ABOUT OTHER TEAMS. LET'S COMPARE!!!

Answer 1

Two years ago I was in Chicago to see a Cubs/Cards game and saw Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds leaving a restaurant. I asked very politely for autographs and they declined. I called Pujols a jerk and started to walk away. All of the sudden they surrounded me and called me a punk. When I tried to side step Pujols, he took a swing at me. Luckily, for my fast reflexes, I was able to duck just in time and Pujols' punch landed squarely in his teammate's face. I laughed hysterically as I ran away. Edmonds went down like a bag of dirt and Pujols tried to comfort him by putting his head in his lap and stroking his hair. I got in my car and drove up to where they were stll sitting in the middle of the parking lot and threw my Big Gulp right on top of Pujols head and drove away beeping my horn and laughing hysterically.

Answer 2

Nice guys: Pete Rose
Willie Stargell
Manny Sanguillen
Bob Robertson
Don Gullett
Tom Seaver
Ty Cline
Ron Gant
Felix Millan
Ryan Klesko
Al Martin


Asses: Roberto Clemente
Jerry Grote
Clay Carroll

Answer 3

Probably the best experience I've had encountering a pro ball player was back in September 2001. My father was still active in the Baltimore City Fire Fighters, and I got to join him and other city fire fighters in collecting donations at Oriole Park for the victims of 9-11. (Coinicedently the Orioles happened to be playing the Yankees).

Evidently Cal Ripken was stopping at every gate location to give away his baseball cards before gametime as a way to say thank you to the fans since this was his last season.

So there I was with my father standing right outside of Eutaw st. And there was Cal with security around him and all of the fanfare that soon gathered around him. I had an Orioles cap on, a Baltimore city Fire-Department union local/Baltimore Orioles t-shirt that was given to me a few years earlier, with a sign drapped over my neck about the donations and a bucket. I gave the bucket to my dad and walked over to Cal like everyone else, I shook his hand and looked for a pen for an autograph. I was in a state shock of awe so I didn't say anything, he couldn't give autographs, but I got my baseball cards like everyone else.

From my experience, he is a classy ballplayer who always volunteered his time for the fans. All I know is that an Orioles fan that really made my evening because I totally was not expecting that.

I also met Brian Roberts a couple season at a car dealership where he was signing autographs. I think he had only 30 minutes left before he was scheduled to leave. The poor guy was sitting there by himself as the Oriole bird had all ready left and hardly any fans left around. I talked to him for a few minutes with just quick and friendly banter. I got his autograph in St. Louis when my father and I traveled to see the Orioles in interleague play. Of course I brought that up, but I could see that he was cool and genuine. He's not one of those self important high strung players like some big time athletes are.

Answer 4

I used to go the Cardinal Winter Warm-up when I lived in the area. The first time Steve Kline was there he was awesome. He chatted with my buddies and I over a drink for about 30 minutes. He then even recognized us the next day as we were walking around.

I have never had a negative encounter with a MLB player, but admittedly now don't feel the need to run and get their autographs.

Answer 5

I waited on Bo Jackson when I was a waiter in a restaurant. We were packed, but bumped people to get him and his associates a table since he was in a rush to catch a plane. The kitchen gave him top priority, and had his special order lunch ready in 7 minutes. He left a $2 tip. What a jerk.

Also, I went to a baseball card show when I was a kid where Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt were doing autographs. Rose was $8, and Schmidt was $7. The show was scheduled for three hours, and needless to say, the lines were very long to get their autographs. At the three hour mark on the nose, Schmidt got up and walked out, leaving a ton of little kids in line without an autograph. Pete Rose stepped up and said he would honor all of Schmidts autograph customers at the lower price, and stayed for an extra two hours until every kid had a chance to meet him. Pete was a top notch class act in my book.

Answer 6

I used to work with the daughter and son-in-law of an olde-tyme ballplayer you never heard of, Nino Bongiovanni. One time, as the SIL and I were traveling to the SF Bay area on business, I asked if we could get together for dinner. He asked, Nino agreed, and we had a good time at a local Olive Garden. We (of course) talked a lot of baseball, he gave me his opinions on anything including the Giants and A's, showed me his 1939 NL Champion Cincinnati Reds ring, and signed a copy of Ritter's The Glory Of Their Times for me(he's not in it, but it is the quintessential "old timers" book, and a must-read for any baseball fan). It was, I thought, a delightful evening, good company, great conversation, and a decent meal.

Other than that, I've only ever encountered ballplayers at or immediately outside the various parks, and since that's in their official capacity it doesn't really count.

Answer 7

I've had negative and positive experiences with the same player - George Brett. I used to umpire AAU baseball games and I worked a few games that his son played in. He's one of those guys that stands directly behind the backstop and would let you know if he thought you made a bad call. He really got on me at one point when I rung up a kid on his son's team. He obviously didn't have the best view, but it's still hard to argue with him - he's George Brett. Anyways, I ran into him at 810 Zone - a sports bar/restaurant - in Leawood, KS a few years later. I went over and talked to him, we chatted for a minute and then I brought that situation up. He said he didn't remember it (obviously) but said he apologized if he stepped over the line and then autographed my hat for me.

Answer 8

I had the chance to meet Kent Tekulve (1970's Pirate pitcher). He was totally great and talked to me for quite a while. He even autographed a baseball for me without me even asking.

Also met Jim Leyland ('80's 90's manager) who spotted my Pirate hat from across a bar/restaurant. He came over to where I was sitting with some friends, celebrating my birthday, and talked to us for about a half hour. We are all baseball fans and he answered a lot of questions and told us a lot of stories.

Two nice guys and two good experiences!!

Answer 9

I live in L.A and I went to a Dodgers/Cardinals regular season game. While all the kids were busy surrounding people like Pujols and Edmonds I went over to Tony LaRussa and shook his hand. I asked him for his autograph and he said I'll do you one better and he called over their catcher Yadier Molina and Chris Carpenter who had just finished warming up. They both signed a baseball I had and I took a picture with all three of them. LaRussa was really a nice guy your lucky you live in St. Louis.

Answer 10

Last spring I saw and met Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Bernie Willliams at a club in Scottsdale, AZ. All three of them were REALLY cool. They did not have any big old bodyguards or anything. Jeter was especially nice and would have a conversation with you. I did not talk with Bernie or Jorge but they were talking to some of my buddies. These guys definitely carry themselves with class!

I mean I hate the yanks but now cheer for these three guys just because they were really nice.

PS-Jeter was so nice that he let me like give him five and a chest pump it was AWESOME!

Answer 11

I got an autograph by Carlos Lee and Ben Sheets when the Brewers came to Shea Stadium...I got the autographs out in the parking lot after the game. It was awesome!