So who've you met?

Sat next to Sosh at a kids basketball game and talked about the team with him.

at an Arby’s in Irvine in 2004 or so. My husband and I both did a double-take as he was walking in, then waited for him to order and sit down before approaching him to say hello. He was super nice and laid back. His wife kind of gave me the evil eye.

We just said hi and nice game 2 nights ago or whatever it was, and left them alone. No one else in the restaurant seemed to know who he was.

I met him as he was walking around the stadium! Shook his hand and every thing. Very cool for a 13 year old.

He was dating my sister’s best friend back then. I met him while on leave from the Army and he gave me two tickets to an upcoming game he was starting against the Yankees. He won the game, which was also his very first major league victory. Unfortunately he would only win one more game for the Halos in his career — he struggled the following season and was sent back down to SLC and never returned.

- A friend of mine was dating Tim Lincecum until about a year ago, got to meet him.

- I played against Brandon Wood in high school.

- Brother was roomates with Albert Pujols for about 3 weeks while I was 12 I think, so I met him and didn’t know it.

- Met Tim Salmon and Garret Anderson, both were awesome.

- Got to spend a significant amount of time with Wally Joyner and Rod Carew. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a better baseball centric conversation than the one with Carew. The man is a wealth of knowledge.

- Met Mike Piazza. He was coaching for the Italian World Cup team this past year, and you’d think being a catcher he’d be really into the specifics of the game, but I think he was more just there as a fan, in uniform.

Played with and against several minor leaguers that never ended up making it. It really gives you an idea as to the talent level these guys have. Even Reggie Willits is a gifted ball player, more so than a lot of us realize or give him credit for.

Quinlan on the other hand……that ugly swing and those duck feet, I just can’t imagine him really being that good.

Bob Watson saw me wearing my Angel gear at the NY dinner and said, “Man, you got balls. Come with me, I got someone I want you to meet.” He brought me over to DeCinces and we talked for about 1/2 an hour. He was super cool and autographed a couple of balls for me. The thing that sticks in my mind was how e kept emphasizing that Arte was bringing the old players back for ST and what not to try install a sense of tradition. He said NONE of the prior ownership gave him as much as a phone call. It said it brought out the pride and love he had for the club. I would say that effort has succeeded.

At the dinner, i was seated with Lee Thomas, who played for the Angels in their first American League season after he was traded by the Yankees. He was nice, but was distracted by the death of Leon Wagner. Wags had died a few weeks before and Thomas was still pretty shaken up. He spent most of the dinner talking with Ryne Duren, also traded to the Angels by the Yankees in 1961, who was sitting at the next table. I now wish I was more of an asshole and evesdropped on the reminences, but I was trying to be respectful (a challenge, i know) of their privacy and their grief.

Both were awesome guys. They were busy so I didn’t want to keep them too long. I just did the typical shake of the hand, get a baseball signed and tell them that I really appreciate what they do/did.

I also bumped into John Ireland at a Laker game and had the pleasure of telling him that he sucks. (His sucking had to do with his disproportional fellatio to all things Lakers and his snarky comments about how the Angels will fall again to Boston in the 2009 ALDS)

Phil Garner, 1980.

Biggest jerk? Willie Stargell, about five minutes before meeting Phil.

met bengie on a angels fan cruise but he was sick the whole trip. he was the only major league player on the trip

scot shields i met at raging waters when i worked there a few years ago. he was there with kevin gregg and eric gagne as well for some promotion but shieldsy was the only one i talked to

saw tim salmon at a bike shop in newport beach but he didnt really want to stop and talk.

and i met moreno in the team store during a game and had a nice conversation with him

i also played soccer with jose mota’s son and have talked to him on several occasions.

Not that I’m interested in stalking him or anything.

In January my buddy took me to a Laker game. After the game we met up with his girlfriend and a few other friends and went to a couple of bars. The second place we went to, one of the guys in our group spotted Jered Weaver. He was in the back shooting pool with a harem of ladies at his side. While I’m trying to figure out what to say—i want to make a good first impression, after all—he starts staring at me from the other side of the bar. I was looking at the people around us because I thought he must be looking at someone else, but nobody was looking at him. He was definitely staring at me. And for whatever reason he looked less than pleased. He then starts talking to the bartender and starts pointing at me with a scowl on his face. From reading his lips, I can tell his conversation with the bartender is laced with profanity. At this point I’m weirded out because there is no reason Jered Weaver should be mad at me. I’m one of his biggest fans! So I start to have doubts about whether to say hello to him or not. The only reason my buddy and I could come with was that he was drunk and I was the only other guy in the bar taller than him (I’m 6’7"). But I decided to at least say hi. I walked over to him real sly like but he was kind of staring off into the distance. I patted him on the shoulder and said “Hey, man.” (Yes, that was the best I could come up with). He kind of looked at me for a second and gave a cold, “Hi.” Then I said, “You’re getting the Cy Young this year.” He looked at me for a second then got a huge grin and said “Yeah.” Actually it sounded more like a real slow “Yeeeeeaaaaaah.” He was drunk. Mystery solved.

The last time I spoke with him was a couple years ago at my grandfather’s funeral. He was telling me about a move he used to make when trying to pick guys off of 2nd.

Saw Figgy in John Wayne a couple of years ago—took me until I’d passed him to realize who it was, as he was wearing a very nice striped suit and some killer shades. Finally, one of my mom’s friends is married to Ike Hampton. Kind of random, but there it is.

In the 80’s & 90’s back when the thing for me and my dad to do was hang out after the games poaching autographs. A few I remember:

- Kirk Gibson (back when he was on the Tigers). A young lady came up to him and he literally elbowed/shoved her out of his path, knocking her to the concrete. I remember everybody booing and my dad screaming at him “0 FOR 4 GIBSON!!!”

- Wee Bob Costas & Wee Mike Gallego. You know, when you’re just a kid you expect to look up to these guys…

- Don Sutton. He drove a BMW with a plate that said “300 Wins” – someone had put a plastic grocery bag on his antenna, and he started yelling at everyone… still got his autograph though

Those are the ones that kind of stick out for me. Gary Pettis & Jose Canseco were complete douchebags. Wally Joyner was really cool though, Brian Downing too…

but I have gotten a lot of autographs and talked to players for like 5 seconds

i list the people i can remember off the top of my head

Mike Scioscia, Arte Moreno, Tony Reagins, Rod Carew, Bob Boone, Tim Salmon, Troy Percival, Garret Anderson, John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Bengie Molina, Jose Molina, Adam Kennedy, Shawn Wooten, Benji Gil, Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Joel Pineiro, Sean O’Sullivan, Trevor Bell, Scot Sheilds, Kevin Jepsen, Fernando Rodney, Jason Bulger, Matt Palmer, Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson, Ryan Budde, Howie Kendrick, Macier Izturis, Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood, Alexi Amarista, Peter Bourjos, Hank Conger, Trevor Reckling, Mike Trout, Garrett Richards, and Tyler Skaggs

theres probably a couple more

I played baseball with the manager of Gabriel/Olsen Porche on Ventura Blvd during the late 60’s and early 70’s. They were having a special promotion where Roman Gabriel, Merlin Olsen and Jack Snow were signing some footballs. After the signing our team got to spend some time with the three of them. Gabriel was kinda aloof and did not talk much. Merlin Olsen was very nice talked a lot and asked us how our team was doing. Jack Snow also was pretty friendly. The football I got that day was lost when I went into the navy and my mom cleaned my room.

Doug DeCinces played baseball for my High School (Monore in Sepulveda, CA), before I went there, but he came on campus one time to give a talk to our baseball team, he seemed like a pretty cool dude.

Guy Benjamin was in my Comparative Religions class when I was a freshman in High School 1974. He was a total jerk then, being the big man on campus. He want on to Stanford and was drafted by the Dolphins. I think his football career ended with the 49er’s. I have heard that he is a pretty cool guy now.

I watched Robin Yount play for Taft high school in 1972 and 1973, you could tell he was headed for great things. He was head and shoulders better then anyone on the field in high school. I believe he went straight from high school to the major leagues.

Debra Winger was in the graduating class ahead of me, and I had a couple classes with her, but don’t remember much. She did not leave much of an impression.

I met Nick three different times. He was always happy to sign an autograph, and was just an awesome, humble guy.
I remember in 2008 he was playing for AAA Salt Lake, and I went to the series in Portland in late August. I was sitting right next to the dugout, and he wasn’t pitching that day, so we had about a 10 minute conversation. I remember asking him if he thought he would get called up in September, and he was incredibly humble.
The last time I met him was during spring training, about three weeks before his terrible death. He was like a kid, just happy to be playing the game he loves.
One of the coolest guys I’ve ever known.

One of the reasons I became an Angels fan……..and started following the Angels instead of the Dodgers like my dad.

I was like 9 or 10 at the time…….but I was in awe……..he was a pretty neat guy, of course he coulda been a jerk and I wouldnt have cared probably either.

Met Mickey Hatcher in the late 1980s at Dodger Stadium on Gymnastics day. Hatcher was out on the field and gave me a high 5 after doing a flip or something. I have washed my hand since then.

Met GA and Jim Edmonds at a baseball camp in the mid 1990s. Edmonds was hung over, absolutely did not want to be there. After having numerous hangovers in subsequent years, I understand why now. GA was gracious, friendly, and just a thrill to be around. I’ll always respect him for that afternoon alone.

Met Figgy, Quinlan, Eckstein, and Evans a number of times at Spring Training. They were always willing to sign for fans. Met former Salt Lake Bees player Nate Bland at a game in Tacoma in 2006. I talked with him a couple of minutes and he said he hated the Angels organization. That was semi-uncomfortable.

My cousin was an Angel girl during the 2002 season. That side of the family gets all the fun.

As for non-current or former Angels, I’ve met a lot, but the one that really stands out is Justin Upton. He signed baseballs for EVERYONE after a game in Tucson a few years ago. It was his first spring training after being a bonus baby the year before. He was polite, and shot the bull with whoever came up. It was very impressive to see such a young guy treat the fans so well.

I spent a week during the summer of 2006 working for my uncle doing residential window-cleaning in and around San Clemente, and I spent one hot summer afternoon cleaning the windows of John Lackey’s crib. Regrettably, I didn’t piss on his door handle or poop on the hood of his car or something.

Nothing else significant about the meeting other than it was a McDonalds, which was odd.

and a guy was behind me in line. As I was leaving, I turned to look at him to see if he was friend or foe and thought ‘damn, he looks familiar’

Drove off screaming…’That was Percy, that was Percy!!!" At least I had my Angels tshirt on

Nobody this side of Dumbo has ears like that (RE: Ramon Ortiz)

i was drunk and wandering his house at around midnight.

i won’t spoil it but bottom line is mark langston is a dick.

Played against Bobby Crosby.
Played with and against Gerald Laird.
Punched Gerald Laird in the mouth.

Highlights of a lot of years getting autographs during the sucky years of Angels baseball:
Helping Wade Boggs off the floor of the double tree bathroom after he stumbled in around 3 am.
Calling Arod in his hotel room every morning of a 4 game series, until he met me for an autograph at a suit shop.
Almost running over Bernie Williams in the parking lot after a game.
Mike James leaving me tickets to just about every home game in 96 or 97.

Reggie Jackson, Ken Griffey Jr. are the kind of dicks Milton Bradley aspires to be.
Roger Clemens is a mountain of a man, and friendly … sample size very small.
Ricky Henderson always speaks in 3rd person, is quite funny, and is in fact the greatest of all time.

Coolest Angel not named Mike James? Chili Davis
Most likely to go home with your mom? Chuck Finley

Other than Bo Jackson, I don’t have anything bad to say about any of the Angels players I have met.

I met him just last week after the game. I was with my 10 year old cousin waiting behind the stadium where the players and coaches park, hoping to get an autograph for him. It was cold and I was about ready to leave, but he wanted to see if Torii would sign anything. Unfortunately, he just drove by and waved like the other players.

Then as we started walking to my car, his car started to turn around.

I told my cousin to go run up there see if maybe he’ll say hello or something. Turns out the other 2 dozen fans in the area had the same idea. There was quickly a very large crowd around his Benz and some of these fans were nuts!
     Torii was obviously with his wife, but that didnt stop some crazy women screaming “Torii OMG you’re my baby! I LOVE YOU ILOVEYOU I LOOOOVEEEE YOU!!!! Can I please give you a kiss?” I honestly felt bad for the guy.

He was a class act though, signed some things for the fans, including my cousin, and shook my hand. It was after that 10-1 loss to the Twins Thursday and he didn’t play all too well, so I gave him a “Go get’em next time” He replied with a classic “That’s why we play everyday man!”
     Needless to say, my cousin has a new favorite player (formerly Figgins) and will most likely stick with baseball instead of the motocross he’s been getting into. Thanks Torii

Rickey’s forearms were HUGE.

Bam! I just lost 99.999% of HH’ers right there.

For that .001% still with me, Juan Marichal must have been the stupidest baseball player in history to try and take on Roseboro, even if he WAS wielding a bat.

I flew from LA to New York for a work project. The stewardess told us during the flight the Lakers – that’s the "Showtime" Lakers – were on the flight in first class. I caught a glimpse of them disembarking, and then caught them as they were headed to baggage or out of the airport. The top 6 players (I think it was Kareem, Magic, Cooper, Wilkes, Worthy, and Scott) kept walking straight out of the airport. The others (I only remember Kupchak and Mike McGee) had to wait like the rest of us for their baggage. As a group, they were somewhat intimidating…they walked briskly, and were definitely not interested in stopping to give autographs or engage in idle conversation.

I have met others "celebrities" at various times through one means or the other… John Wooden (attended his basketball school as a youth…the most decent guy I have ever met and one hell of a man), Danny Kaye (a real jerk), Orlando Woolridge (nice guy and phenomenal athlete), Peter Falk during ("Columbo" days…seemed decent enough), Tim Salmon (my son attended his baseball camp in ’95), Rex Hudler (ST last year…wrote about it here on HH), Fred Sands (he of real estate fame…strange guy), John Kilroy (well known developer and World Cup challenger about 20+ years ago), and Kobe Bryant (about 3 months after he signed with the Lakers). I even met Billy Barty…I was on his TV show!

My mom grew up next door to tommy lasorda so we knew him a bit, tim wallach was another dodger we knew pretty well. Other than that, Troy percival had a nephew in my little league and his adopted brother was my history teacher in riverside so he was there on a regular basis. He was so cool, he’d sign autographs, hang out, give advice. A really cool guy. This was when he was just coming up and used to set up for lee smith.
We used to go to the stadium before games and try to get autographs. Chuck finley was the best, he’d sign anything you put in front of him and talk to you for a while. Luis Polonia and damion easley were assholes. I asked polonia to sign a ball that I had most of the angels signatures on and he told me to go F*ck myself. I was about 12. Easley would just ignore you like you werent there or make a smart ass comment about how he couldnt do it.
I met tim salmon a couple times, garrett anderson and jim edmonds. All of them seemed pretty cool. Most recently I met brandon wood. He was in the tunnel behind third base a couple hours before the game and I got to talk to him for a while. He was a really nice guy.

But I have told that story before.