Who was the first pro athelte you met in person?

[TwinsWin]

A young micheal cuddyer at the twins caravan.

 

[notjomommasclint]

Bob Gibson I was working at sears and sold him a fridge and oven right after high school.

I have seen him several times over the years including at a urinal in the Walmart. He is always friendly and polite not the gruff dude you hear he is.

 

[DeliciousBacon]

In either late 1988 or 1989, there was a weekend show in the West Warwick RI junior high cafeteria, with Yogi Berra, Luis Tiant, and Rico Petrocelli all signing. I met all three, the only one I specifically remember was Tiant. Not sure if he was going senile early, or if he was drugged up, but it took him three times to spell my name right (didn't help that my drunk-ass father was trying to help him). Doubt you could get Berra to do a HS cafeteria show signing these days.

 

[cbrandtw]

My family and I ran into former Padres slugger Kevin McReynolds and manager Dick Williams in a Atlanta restauraunt sometime in mid-80's. Both were nice as far as I can remember. They signed a beverage napkin for me.

 

[clarkzac]

The first one I can remember would be Bert Blyleven. We were at my very first Twins game and I was 8 years old. He was in front of the metrodome signing autographs for free. I met Lincoln Mcilravy before that, but he's technically an amatuer. In case people don't know who that is he was a bronze medalist in 2000 Olymic games, freestyle wrestling

 

[alexs64]

Pretty sure it was Frank Pastore at a T.G.I. Fridays I used to work at. I still have the little Christian booklet he signed and gave to me that day that tells his story.

 

[clarkzac]

Actaully, do pro wrestlers count? lol. I met the Iron Sheik before as well. Sadly when we moved I believe the 2 autographed pictures we had got lost or thrown out

 

[Hendersonfan]

Joe Nuxhall

 

[wolfmanalfredo]

Dave Casper (football) he and my dad were good friends and his son was around my and my brother's age so we got to go to his house and hang out. He was a very nice guy, ans a great host. He moved out of state, so we kind of lost touch though

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[21ccl]

Lil Wille trainer for miami heat got his auto. Also a pro at dunking.

 

[RNCoyote]

Bert Blyleven. He was a guest in my 3rd grade class. Lost the Polaroid pic of him he signed for me and the kids.

 

[Johnny G]

I'm pretty sure it was Herschel Walker. He did a signing at KMart.

 

[agentjak]

If my memory doesnt let me down, I believe it was the summer of either 72' when Hank Aaron walked over and handed me a foul ball..and yes I still have that ball to this day..and if I ever have a chance of meeting him again or at a signing..I want his auto on that ball so bad I cant tell you how much that would mean to me.....

 

[petMonster]

William "The Fridge" Perry at a Subway (sandwich shop) in 1986 in Lake Forest, IL. He was signing for free as part of a Subway promotion. I was only 8 years old at the time, but I remember he was very friendly and smiled a lot. I still got that signed photo of his Super Bowl XX touchdown somewhere at my parents house.

Ah, those 1985 Bears take me back......

"You're looking at the Fridge
I'm the rookie
I may be large
but I'm no dumb cookie"

 

[Brewer Andy]

William "The Fridge" Perry at a Subway (sandwich shop) in 1986 in Lake Forest, IL. He was signing for free as part of a Subway promotion. I was only 8 years old at the time, but I remember he was very friendly and smiled a lot. I still got that signed photo of his Super Bowl XX touchdown somewhere at my parents house.

Ah, those 1985 Bears take me back......

"You're looking at the Fridge
I'm the rookie
I may be large
but I'm no dumb cookie"

One of youth's finest days was opening the bubble mailer containing my Fridge GI Joe mail-away action figure.

 

[MisterT]

Bob Cousy in the 1970's. He was a golfing buddy of my Dad's and a member of my church.

I just saw him again 2 months ago when I was up in MA. He looks great.

 

[Bonds73]

Easy one for me, met my grandfather the day I was born, he played pro football with the Frankford Yellow Jackets in the 1920's.

 

[cmixer]

I wish I could 'favorite' that poloroid of Billy Williams.

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[JackLondon]

I believe it was either Jim Fregosi or Bob Welch.

I met Jim at Anaheim Patio and Fireside in 1979. Still have the ball he signed and the photo my mom took of us.

I met Bob at a free signing at a mall the same year (I think). He signed a photo for me and my mom took a pic of him. I remember how embarrassed I was when my mother kept telling him that he looked just like my cousin, "except you are MUCH better looking than he is!" Moms. sheesh!

 

[TNP777]

Older Orioles fans will remember Lenn Sakata. He used to live in the central California town I grew up in. I met him in the early 80s at a local show - I think it was at the Veteran's Building.