Class act players

[Pirates2245]

Most of my experiences come with Pirates guys cause I follow them so close...another one that comes to mind is Matt Curry with the Altoona Curve. He is very active in the community and with kids. He has never turned down a autograph from me or anyone else. He will come out after a game and sign if people are still there or he misses someone before hand.

Collecting Pirates and Jameson Taillon

 

[matfanofold]

Despite meeting and interacting with quite a few pro athletes in my day, the one that will always stand out to me is Bernie Williams. As a teen I spent a couple years working the stands (selling popcorn, peanuts, ect..) at the Albany Colonie Yankees games (Heritage Park). Bernie would almost always come out, in to the stands, after the games and spend literally hours just talking, signing, and entertaining the crowd. Even games where, for whatever reason he could not play, he would sit/stand in the stands and interact with the fans. He always had a smile, always had the time to talk, and was just genuinely a very good person, very kind and respectful to everyone. Mind you, even though this was the minors, Bernie was a BIG DEAL then and not your average 'common' minor leaguer. It would be akin to any of todays top prospects doing the same...

 

[TBTwinsFan]

I meet with a lot of players every year (mainly for autographs), and the one player that stood out the most to me was Jim Thome. I had the pleasure of getting his autograph after the Twins dealt him to the Indians.

He obviously appreciated the fans he had, which was nice to see from a player of his caliber.

 

[RogerMarisCollector61]

It's hard not to judge based on personal experience, but the reality is that even the nicest of people will have times when their behavior seems rude, inconsiderate etc. It could be a rough day, a personal tragedy or a million other things, but as is true with all people you get to know, even the nicest people are not nice 100% of the time, but that does not make them a mean human being, it just makes them... a human being. Having a single negative experience with an athlete does not preclude them from being great guys. (Not saying they all are and by the same token even pretty crummy people are sometimes nice and decent.)

Well said

 

[sheetskout]

I feel discredited to offer opinions names here because I've never met most of the players mentioned, but when I think of class in baseball Cal Ripen always comes to mind.

 

[cards01fan]

Daryl kile and mike matheny in my experience.

 

[jmc280zx]

Zack wheeler was really nice when I met him at a lancaster jethawks game... So was michael main... Both signed a ball for me and we talked about there experience at the aflac games...

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[brianga26]

I agree on "bad days" everyone has them. But again, a lot of people fail to remember. We pay their salaries by attending the games. Sometimes you have to "suck it up" and put on a face. I hate saying that, but that is true in a lot of corporate America. Its sad to go to a MLB game and see the "invisible" headphones on. Most of the guys just seem to give two "turds" about the fans.

 

[elmalo]

I feel discredited to offer opinions names here because I've never met most of the players mentioned, but when I think of class in baseball Cal Ripen always comes to mind.

I feel the exact opposite about Ripken. He was my favorite player growing up, but as my opinion of him changed quite a bit. He seems phoney to me, like his entire image is a sham.

 

[Brewer Andy]

I feel the exact opposite about Ripken. He was my favorite player growing up, but as my opinion of him changed quite a bit. He seems phoney to me, like his entire image is a sham.

Maybe that's part of what makes Ripken great. Even on a bad day he was able to force out a smile or wave for fans. Could be way off, never had an interaction with him, but if a guy goes 30 years in professional sports without scandal he can go through the motions a few days a week IMO. Dude had to be exhausted on many occasions

 

[TGutta]

Anybody who has met Michael Cuddyer has nothing but great things to say about him. I have also had nothing but great encounters with Denard Span. Always chatting it up with fans, signing autographs, talking on twitter, etc. The most recent one for me was Justin Masterson. I knew that he was a good TTM signer, but I met him on Friday down on the field at the Twins game. Almost all of their players walked right past everyone without stopping, but when someone asked Masterson to come over he spent about 20-25 minutes taking pictures, signing autographs, and just being fun with all of the fans. When he came up to me I told him that I really respected the fact that he took the time to interact with the fans and his response to me, "I did all of my work already today so I have nothing but time, love spending it with the fans". Instantly became a big fan of his after that!

 

[brianga26]

Anybody who has met Michael Cuddyer has nothing but great things to say about him. I have also had nothing but great encounters with Denard Span. Always chatting it up with fans, signing autographs, talking on twitter, etc. The most recent one for me was Justin Masterson. I knew that he was a good TTM signer, but I met him on Friday down on the field at the Twins game. Almost all of their players walked right past everyone without stopping, but when someone asked Masterson to come over he spent about 20-25 minutes taking pictures, signing autographs, and just being fun with all of the fans. When he came up to me I told him that I really respected the fact that he took the time to interact with the fans and his response to me, "I did all of my work already today so I have nothing but time, love spending it with the fans". Instantly became a big fan of his after that!

Awesome!

 

[hive17]

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. I almost get a tear in my eye when I watch this:

Matt Kemp gives away his jersey and shows true class at at&t ballpark in san francisco - YouTube

 

[CFD1415]

Wow That Was Amazing. Didn't Realize This Happens

 

[stricklcp]

Honestly, I'm a big Tony Tarasco fan. My limited interaction happened in 1992 when I bay boy'd for my home town AA farm team of the Pirates, Carolina Mudcats. I was working the Greenville Brave/Mudcat game that night. Chipper, Javy Lopez, Melvin Nieves, and Tarasco were playing......before the game Tarasco came over to me and asked that I passed a message on to the Mudcat pitching coach Tom De La Torre. I told Tony that if I passed the message on he had to get my 2 Chipper Jones cards signed for me.....he said no problem, as Chipper threw long toss in right field. I still have those 2 Chipper cards and recollect a great memory when I see Tarasco doing his first base coaching for the Nationals!

 

[stangy24]

Brian Wilson lived/lives close to me and we used to see him all the time. Always would sign and was more than willing to take pics.

 

[Dmscards]

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. I almost get a tear in my eye when I watch this:

Matt Kemp gives away his jersey and shows true class at at&t ballpark in san francisco - YouTube

So proud of him :sniffle:

 

[rico08]

Kershaw.

 

[MGiuseffi]

Mattingly. Had drinks with him and his wife at Wilt Chamberlain's bar back in the early 90's. Me and a buddy were tossing back a few and sent a drink to a lady sitting by herself at the bar. Around that time Donny shows up to do a radio show with Michael Kay. Wilt's had a sound proof bb court and the yanks used it for their post game show. Donny was the guest that day. After the show, he strolls up to the bar. Of course he wanted to thank us for being so "kind" to his wife. We had a good laugh, several drinks. Regular guy. He's a real class act.

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[brianga26]

Not baseball related. But I had drinks with Sir Charles a few years ago.. What a freaking funny guy. I think he is more opinionated than anyone I have ever met. So it made for great conversation