Thursday, March 10, 2011

Autographed 1982 Expos Jersey



I met Tim Wallach in person for the first time this week at a Dodger's Spring Training game at the new Salt River Fields Rockies/Diamondbacks complex in Scottsdale.  I've had this jersey for years and never worn it, debating whether to use it or frame it.  Now it's getting framed.

I tracked down front row tickets third base line on stubhub and made my wife and two brother in-laws get to the game ridiculously early to give myself every chance to meet Wallach.

The Dodgers bus parked in a tunnel in center field and the players walk in from there.  Tim spotted my jersey from about 2nd base (I didn't have to yell at him like a 9yr old kid) and motioned that he'd be over in a second.  He put his coffee in the dugout and came right over.  He said "nice uni" as he walked up, shook my hand, and signed my jersey. I told him it was a real thrill for me to meet him and that he had been my childhood hero.  He was very nice and accommodating.

Growing up in Cooperstown, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of Hall of Famers in person.  Everyone from Ted Williams, Stan Musial, to Reggie Jackson, and non-famers like Pete Rose and Clete Boyer.  I've met a handful of rock stars, and more than a few Syracuse legends such as Boeheim and McNabb.  This was far and away the greatest fanboy experience I've ever had.  Thanks Tim.

2 comments:

  1. I really like your blog. I've wanted to amass all the Tim raines cards I could find but that was a long time ago.

    It's great you got to meet your fave player.

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  2. That's awesome that you met your childhood hero. I'm not exactly an Expos fan, but I started collecting a few of their cards to help keep their legacy alive:

    http://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2011/01/pc-spotlight-7-my-montreal-expos-pc.html

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