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marterburn
Active member
I though I would share with you all some memories of this event:
I was 14 years old. My dad had recently started working at Saginaw Valley State University as an IT specialist. I was thrilled when he gave me tickets to this luncheon where players from my favorite team at the time would be speaking! My family did not make the 2 hour trip to go to games often, so having real live ballplayers (writing this as a 14 year old) in my backyard was truly awesome. My dad even let me skip the afternoon in school for the event!
I was the only kid there, the food was pretty mediocre, and our seats were well left of the head table. But the real reason I was there, the players, were as real as this crappy laptop keyboard I am typing on. I sat there as Tony Clark, Bob Higginson, and the Tigers newest acquisition, Todd Jones took turns speaking about the upcoming season (particulars are hard to remember when you're as starstruck as I was). As they finished up I edged to the end of my seat to get a jump on what was sure to be a rush of people to the head table.
The rush never came. A few suits walked up and shook hands, but no one but me was ready with cards for autographs! Come to think of it, I think I was the only one that got anything but my ticket autographed that day. I couldn't find any words other than "yes", "no", and "outfield" as the players asked me about school and what position i played in baseball. They were all very cordial, although Todd Jones I think didn't understand my want for him to sign my ticket, as he just gave me a pre-signed 5 x 7 instead. I ended up with what is scanned below, plus a Higginson that turned out horribly. I wonder still if I would be as nervous and wordless if I met any pro athletes today, at 26. I've only had two opportunities such as this in my life (not counting pre-game IP autos). This is my favorite by far.
I was 14 years old. My dad had recently started working at Saginaw Valley State University as an IT specialist. I was thrilled when he gave me tickets to this luncheon where players from my favorite team at the time would be speaking! My family did not make the 2 hour trip to go to games often, so having real live ballplayers (writing this as a 14 year old) in my backyard was truly awesome. My dad even let me skip the afternoon in school for the event!
I was the only kid there, the food was pretty mediocre, and our seats were well left of the head table. But the real reason I was there, the players, were as real as this crappy laptop keyboard I am typing on. I sat there as Tony Clark, Bob Higginson, and the Tigers newest acquisition, Todd Jones took turns speaking about the upcoming season (particulars are hard to remember when you're as starstruck as I was). As they finished up I edged to the end of my seat to get a jump on what was sure to be a rush of people to the head table.
The rush never came. A few suits walked up and shook hands, but no one but me was ready with cards for autographs! Come to think of it, I think I was the only one that got anything but my ticket autographed that day. I couldn't find any words other than "yes", "no", and "outfield" as the players asked me about school and what position i played in baseball. They were all very cordial, although Todd Jones I think didn't understand my want for him to sign my ticket, as he just gave me a pre-signed 5 x 7 instead. I ended up with what is scanned below, plus a Higginson that turned out horribly. I wonder still if I would be as nervous and wordless if I met any pro athletes today, at 26. I've only had two opportunities such as this in my life (not counting pre-game IP autos). This is my favorite by far.
