Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! ** updated 4/21/10 **

[TNP777]

I'm just about ready to head down to Chukchansi Park in Fresno to see the Reno Aces (AAA Arizona) take on the Fresno Grizzles (AAA Giants). Reno's manager is Brett Butler, who some of you know I have a couple of cards of . I'll be sitting behind the visitor's dugout and hoping to have a chance to meet him. My daughter has graciously agreed to go with me, although I'm sure she's afraid I'll embarrass her by weeping. :lol:

Anywho, wish me luck - I've been told he's pretty approachable, so we'll see. Pictures should be forthcoming later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[BunchOBull]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

Haha, good luck Geordie...can't wait to see the photos.

 

[r2d2]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

Please don't forget to share the experience, we'll be happy to read

 

[WaxHeaven]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

That is awesome. Good luck!

 

[MattinglyAlexander]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

 

[FortyFour]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

Nice! I got to meet him when he was the Coach for the JetHawks. Signed my ball and put a smiley face on it.

Cool guy.

 

[TNP777]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

Game's over & we're on the way home. Had a pretty good time. Brett's Aces got smoked 9-2.

Got to meet Brett after the game. As I'd heard, he was friendly & accomodating - firm handshake and looks you in the eye when he's talking to you. Got my jersey signed, plus one of my early Atlanta Braves police cards (pictures to come).

Thinking of catching tomorrow night's game, too. It's only an hour's drive and minor league tickets are very affordable.

I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

 

[ronfromfresno]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned!

Very cool, must have been an awesome night and you got to see the Grizzlies win one here in Fresno. :lol:

 

[TNP777]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned! (finally added some pics!)

Finally got around to scanning a few shots of the jersey and card he signed. I was toying around with the idea of going back the next night. As I was leaving on Saturday night, I noticed that he was walking down the first base line and had been approached by a lone fan. The stands by then were pretty empty, so my thought process was to do the same thing after Sunday's game. I might have been able to get more than a snippet of time. I ended up deciding to stay home - I had the opportunity to say hi and shake his hand; that was good enough. Anyway, here are some shots of the goods!

First up, the back numbers were already signed when I picked the jersey up

I was pretty happy that he put his 'trademark' happy face with the front signature!

Finally, here's the card - it's a 1983 Braves Police

 

[FortyFour]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Stay tuned! (finally added some pics!)

The Happy Face!

 

[Pine Tar]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Nice stuff

 

[19braves77]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

I was going to put this ball in a lot with some others that I have gathered the past 5 years that I have doubles of.... It was obtained when Butler was managing the Baybears and its on a used OMLB but it still looks nice. Its got some other players on the side from the 07 team.

I would part with it for $8.00.

 

[brianga26]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

I have met him two times, and he is the nicest person I have ever met. I actually have his signed ball on my desk here at work. I had met his son a few years ago when Fulton County Stadium was still here and he was playing for the Dodgers. I asked about his kids, and was like "well I have two daughters that are trying to be pavement in L.A." They are actresses. He said one of them was on CSI. And he said his little guy was going to Arizona State. He use to live up north of Atlanta and attended a church with a lot of people I know, I asked about North Point. And he said, "you know, we really miss that church, we live in Arizona, but I think fondly about it". Just a great person. He actually razzed me back in 96, when I told him he USE to be my grandfathers' favorite player. He was talking to a buddy, and he said "yea i use to be THIS guy's grandfathers favorite player" he of course was laughing, and winked at me...

 

[TNP777]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Man crush fulfillment Part 2 in progress. Location: Chukchansi Park, Grizzlies vs Aces. Pictures later this afternoon/tonight.

 

[BunchOBull]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Woohoo!

 

[henwo]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Agreed, he is very nice and accommodating. Definitely was a thrill when I met him after a San Jose Giants game, as he was roving for the Diamondbacks. Signed everything for everyone, posed for pictures, shook your hand and genuinely seemed to appreciate the experience. I was a big fan of his as a kid and I asked him if he thought he was the best bunter of all time (that's all he ever did against the Giants whenever I watched!), and he said he couldn't be the judge of that.

 

[TNP777]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Just a quick post to show this off:

I've had this bat for 10 years or so - it's from his Cleveland Indians days ('84-'87). I drove down to Fresno today to see Butler's Reno Aces (AAA Diamondbacks) play the Grizzlies (AAA Giants). Before the game I called him over to have him sign it. He asked if he could see it for a few, and then carried it over to where several of his players were warming up. As he was showing it to them (pointing out ball marks and explaining when it was from), many others wandered over to see as well.

When he brought it back, he said he recognized immediately that it was from early in his career because he had Louisville Slugger change how it was made pretty early on. As he had signed it and put on his trademark happy face, I asked to add his favorite Bible verse, which I thought was terrific.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I got a few cards signed, too - I'll add those after I get home from youth group.

 

[lisu]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

That's awesome! Congrats!

 

[Topnotchsy]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Great stuff!! Congrats!!

 

[AmishDave]

Re: Man crush fulfilled? Yes it was! (finally added some pics!)

Absolutely sick !!! Congrats and I'm glad Brett is a solid, stand up guy

Congrats !!!