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caseya10781
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Yesterday I had a client come in and after we discussed his matter we started talking about my autographed baseballs I have hanging on the wall in a display case. He is a huge baseball fan as well and had so many great stories, I wish we could have spent all day talking sports.
Turns out, his first cousin is Hal Lanier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Lanier) played with the Giants from 64-71 and the Yankees from 72-73. Lanier also managed the Astros from 86-88.
Lanier played with the likes of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Don Larsen, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Duke Snider among many, many others.
My client, fittingly nicknamed "Whitey" (he said if he goes bald, he won't have a name anymore, lol), went to see his cousin play numerous times when he lived in Cali and got to meet a lot of the players. He even traveled to watch Hammerin Hank hit his 712th HR. Over the years Whitey accumulated numerous autographs, but also gave all of them away to family or lost them through moving.
One Christmas his sister gave him an autographed ball of Willie McCovey that she had obtained just before the holidays when she met McCovey. He told me the story of how the ball meant a lot to him because McCovey played with his cousin and it was the last autograph he had in his collection.
Whitey left yesterday and I didn't know when we would be able to talk again because he didn't end up needing any legal assistance at the present time.
Well, today I get into my office about 9:30 and my secretary tells me that Whitey had been by earlier and he wanted to speak with me again and had a small box with him. I didn't really think anything about it and then about 30 minutes later he shows back up. He comes in and opens up the box and there is his auto'd McCovey ball. Whitey takes it out and hands to to me and we talk for a few moments about the ball and what a neat and meaningful item it is to him.... and then he says "I want you to have it."
I was blown away! I of course said I couldn't accept such a gift but he said that no one in his family would really appreciate it and he knew that I would. I was really speechless, what kindness! Whitey jokingly said he would come by from time to time to "visit" the ball, lol.
I can't put into words how excited I was and generous and kind this gentleman was that I had just met the previous day. Needless to say, I believe I have made a LONG time friend and fellow baseball fan to share stories with.
The ball is now proudly being displayed in my office. I thought I would share the very touching and generous story with my fellow buds here. My wife has already heard it ten times
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and travel safely.
Casey
Turns out, his first cousin is Hal Lanier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Lanier) played with the Giants from 64-71 and the Yankees from 72-73. Lanier also managed the Astros from 86-88.
Lanier played with the likes of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Don Larsen, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Duke Snider among many, many others.
My client, fittingly nicknamed "Whitey" (he said if he goes bald, he won't have a name anymore, lol), went to see his cousin play numerous times when he lived in Cali and got to meet a lot of the players. He even traveled to watch Hammerin Hank hit his 712th HR. Over the years Whitey accumulated numerous autographs, but also gave all of them away to family or lost them through moving.
One Christmas his sister gave him an autographed ball of Willie McCovey that she had obtained just before the holidays when she met McCovey. He told me the story of how the ball meant a lot to him because McCovey played with his cousin and it was the last autograph he had in his collection.
Whitey left yesterday and I didn't know when we would be able to talk again because he didn't end up needing any legal assistance at the present time.
Well, today I get into my office about 9:30 and my secretary tells me that Whitey had been by earlier and he wanted to speak with me again and had a small box with him. I didn't really think anything about it and then about 30 minutes later he shows back up. He comes in and opens up the box and there is his auto'd McCovey ball. Whitey takes it out and hands to to me and we talk for a few moments about the ball and what a neat and meaningful item it is to him.... and then he says "I want you to have it."
I was blown away! I of course said I couldn't accept such a gift but he said that no one in his family would really appreciate it and he knew that I would. I was really speechless, what kindness! Whitey jokingly said he would come by from time to time to "visit" the ball, lol.
I can't put into words how excited I was and generous and kind this gentleman was that I had just met the previous day. Needless to say, I believe I have made a LONG time friend and fellow baseball fan to share stories with.
The ball is now proudly being displayed in my office. I thought I would share the very touching and generous story with my fellow buds here. My wife has already heard it ten times
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and travel safely.
Casey
Happy Thanksgiving.
