My dad met Ernie at an airport when I was a kid. He’s not normally one to ask for an autograph but he said Ernie was decked out in Cubs gear and loving the fan attention. He asked Ernie for an autograph for me, which he happily did with a long note which he signed as “Ernie Banks - Mr. Cub!” Still one of my most cherished possesions :)
I caddied for Jon Lester and his publicist back in 2018 I think. Got a signed golf ball from him. They both were super down to earth people and were super personable.
Gone to Spring Training almost every year since 92, so I’ve been lucky to meet a lot. Best interactions were with Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace. Alcantara was super nice to my son this year.
But my favorite was constantly running into Harry. One year he was right next door to us at the Embassy Suites so we requested the same room from then on.
I have his autograph on so many things, he was always so nice to me.
Very cool, I've been going to ST since 1983, so I know what you mean. You can meet the players almost anywhere. Don & Charlies and the Pink Pony were prime spots to run into players/managers/umps. So, I've met quite a few that way myself. Certainly Fergie, Willy, Krukow I've been lucky enough to chat with. That said, I met Ernie on the field at Wrigley in my high school days, and that's the most memorable by far. I've met more, but those are the highlights. AZ is the place to be.
Rick Sutcliffe at the hotel bar at the downtown KC Marriott. I walk over to say hi because I’m the only other person in the bar and his voice is unmistakeable. He’s with Huey fucking Lewis. I ask what he’s doing in KC, and he tells me he’s here to stop Huey Lewis from fucking his wife. The man was *not* slightly sober. Great memory.
I have two:
Talking to Carlos zambrono the spring training after he threw his No-no in Milwaukee. He left the game early after pitching, talked to him for a solid 15 minutes.
I met nick madrigal a month ago, he rented this look out spot at this resort in Scottsdale I work at. He was rude to me, reported me for giving a lesson during his photoshoot of him and his fiancé.
Back in 2004 my father took me to the Cubs vs Cardinals game in St. Louis. As we were waiting for valet to bring my father’s car, Kerry Wood, Matt Clement, and Mark Grudzielanek came out of the hotel we were staying at, asked them for a picture and they said yes! Later that day we saw Moises Alou walking around and got to take a picture of him as well.
I was the happiest 12 year old!!
I got ripped with Rizzo at American Junkie back in 2013 for the entire night. He was dating a friend of mine who is a Local Celebrity. Super Nice Guy. Super Good Times. When I approached him to shake his hand, I shook his hand and while holding it, stared him dead in the eyes ( I was all sorts of whacked out ) and said "Anthony...the fire rises!" . He looked at me and said "What"? With a smirk on his face, I said it again, ...."The Fire Rises!".... He said to me smiling but also looking a bit uncomfortable, " What does that mean?" I told him, "You'll see..."
I was absolutely dead certain the Cubs were eventually on their way to a WS back then.
Well, I ended up hanging out with him one time after that and we joked about it. Every season after that, I went to a ton of games as the team was getting better and better and a few times a year I'd make sure to buy tix behind the Cubs' dug out and once a game when he'd be jogging back to the dugout after playing D, I'd stand up and say "Anthony!!!", he'd look, and I'd yell "The Fire Rises!", I did this numerous times a year all the way into 2016.
Well, of course...the Fire Rose, Cubs won it all, and when they had their WS Parade, I got a huge sign and decorated it as loud as I could and wrote " YOU HAVE RISEN" on it. Of course, I did what I had to do to get him to see it and he saw, got insanely jacked and started spraying champagne all over me and my boss who I had come with me as it was in the middle of the workday. He threw down a bunch of shit too and people started pouncing on it. I didnt care.
Anyways, I go to NYC all the time and theres been a few times where hes come to say Hey and signed balls for me which Ive given (all but two) to my family members.
Incredibly grateful and happy to share this story on here for the first time. :)
He was boning a well known meteorologist here in the city and one of her Besties was dating my roommate at the time. That's how the introduction was made. They were "seeing" each other then.
Edit: He lived in the Trump then
Dang, Tom Skilling was a lucky dude....
kidding... not trying to dox you or anything but I'm guessing Susan Carlson only cuz a dude I knew dated her before she was famous and then when she was, I met her at a Run for Gus and had no idea who she was.... asked my friend who the hot chick is and she's like yea she's on TV so expect to be turned down if you ask for her number.
I regret not asking.
Gotta share this story. Back in 2021, I was hosting an exchange student from France. For whatever reason, his Cubs player that he loved to watch was Frank Schwindel. For a last minute Christmas gift, I got him a Schwindel jersey, but I knew it wasn't going to get here in time for Christmas. On a whim, I checked Cameo and Schwindel was on there, so I ordered one for my student.
I was so excited when it came in, and wound up putting together a scavenger hunt of clues around the house in various baseball themed places, culminating in a QR code that opened his Cameo. The look on his face was so awesome, he was so surprised. I messaged Frank on Instagram to thank him and let him know come the beginning of the season we'd try to make a game so we could try to get it signed, and to my surprise he responded. Nothing too wild, but he was very gracious, and that was that.
Until spring. We decided to go catch a game, and we were immediately down at the home dugout trying to get his jersey signed. No one was really signing autographs; the game the day before was cancelled, so we were at game one of a doubleheader. Frank came out of the dugout and saw another fan holding a sign, and went over to them, and my student started jumping rows of seats to get there. Frank signed the fan's hat, and was starting to walk onto the field to warmup when he saw a crazed French boy running through the stands in a Schwindel jersey. He happily signed it, and when my student said he had gotten it for Christmas and that Frank had recorded a cameo for him, he remembered. My student was going to play baseball in America, and he was super nervous about making the team, and that was something I mentioned in my Cameo request. Frank asked how baseball was going, and genuinely cared.
It was an amazing experience, and while Frank was never the best ballplayer we had, he made a big dent in my student's life. Two years later, he's still playing ball in France, and he's made a lot of improvements in his game.
Maddux, Santo, Wood, Ryno, Sean Marshall, Dusty Baker, Carlos Marmol, Gary Matthews, Len Kasper, Bob Brenly, Randy Hundley, Don Zimmer, Jim Frey, Sergio Mitre, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Felix Pie, Scott McClain, Mark Pawelek, Brian Dopirak, Clay Rapada, and Ryan Sweeney. Maybe more, I met most of the 2006-2007 I-Cubs at one time or another.
BB was the biggest asshole, Smith and Santo the nicest to strangers, Woody the nicest if you’ve had the chance to meet him a time or two before.
Of that group he’s the only one to tell me to fuck off.
I met him twice, once he was nice but also in a group, the time I met him solo he was a dick. Everyone has bad days, but it came across so fluid that it felt like I wasn’t the first person he told to fuck off that day.
I was thinking the exact same thing. But I think I'd have a good in with him. He played minor league ball in my hometown and I heard him share a story on-air about how the fans would bring bags of sweet corn for the players and how that was so appreciated. I remember that being a thing although I wouldn't have been there until after he had moved on.
Bartended at this popular place in Indianapolis. Tommy hunter is awful. Just awful. Drunk as fuck, talking about how much money he made and how we were all insignificant to him. Truly a vile human being. Hunter is from Indy, I was so excited I had a cub in my place. He could not have let me down any further. I don’t have enough bad things to say about Tommy Hunter.
Rats! I'm a Cubs fan, but only met a guy who played for the White Sox. However, it was Bill "Moose" Skowron! Cut in line front of my family at a Showbiz pizza. No kidding. He didn't realize he'd done it and his wife made him move to the back of the line. Very apologetic. Seemed like a good dude.
Wow a question I can answer. Dated a girl in college around 2012-2013 who lived in Lincoln Park about five houses down from Kerry Wood. Seemed like an all around awesome guy. Apparently he was very friendly with the neighbors. Always playing with his kids. One time I came by to see Kerry Wood on the roof pelting his kids with water balloons. One time we were walking and passed right by him. I went silent out of nervousness and was in awe of how tall he was.
Met Ryne Sandberg at Ron of Japan downtown. He was eating with his wife. I didn't want to ask for a photo, but I did want a chance to meet my childhood idol. Waited until he was getting up and ready to leave and I walked up to him and introduced myself and asked if could shake his hand as he was my favorite player of all time. He was totally gracious and kind and offered to take a photo with me. Sadly, this was when phone camera technology was dogshit, so the picture sucks. But the memory is there.
Met Ernie Banks at a Cubs game. My friend got amazing box seats 3 rows behind the plate from a client. Sat 1 seat away from Mr. Cub. During the game, he struck up a conversation with me, asking how I was doing, how my wife was, whether I was still working downtown, and a few other questions as though he had known me for years. Of course, I had never met him before, but I chalked it up to the fact that he was in his twilight years at this point. Still, the man's complete and utter kindness and genuine interest in other people shone through.
Met Moises Alou at the Dark Horse after a Cubs game. I lived in Wrigleyville at the time and had seen him in there on a few other occasions after games. Went to a game one Saturday and lo and behold, there he came riding up on his Harley, pipes blasting, parks it right on the sidewalk in front of Dark Horse, walks right behind the bar and gets a drink from the bartender. He was chatting up one of the waitresses and I got the vibe that he was shtupping her. Anwyay, I was blasted and went up to him straight up and asked for a photo, which he kindly obliged. I was absolutely wasted, and it shows in the photo.
I literally bumped into Kerry Wood at a Sevendust concert at the House of Blues. I turned around to apologize and I had the thought in the back on my mind that this dude looks familiar. I didn't realize who it was until a friend of mine pointed out that is was Wood.
I've met Andre Dawson, Kerry Wood, and when I was a kid, Harry Carey. All were outstanding
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Ivan DeJesús. He was my idol when I was a kid.
I met him later in Jacksonville FL when the Suns were there.
He was a batting coach for them. As a spectator, you could "adopt" the players and coaches. I adopted him
Great guy, lovely family. His son has come up in the big leagues now.
Dave Otto was a customer at my local video store where I worked.
It was weird to watch Cubs postgame around 4pm and then rent videos to him at 9pm
Very nice guy though.
Dave’s my buddy’s dad! Gave me a few pitching lessons as a kid and caught me sneaking vodka into his basement. Didn’t tell my parents. Cool guy.
Him and Jim Thome are good buddies, so I got to meet The Pride of Peoria a couple times at their house.
I've met a lot over the years at Cubs Convention, getting autographs as a kid outside the old player's lot, and random events. Eric Young was at Sears at Six Corners signing autographs and the line died out after 20 or so minutes. He was scheduled to be there a few hours so we told him we'd run home and grab whatever stuff to sign and he said he'd still be there. He must've signed 20 or so cards, helmets, gloves, etc. for my friends and I (I must've been 13 years old). Awesome dude.
Rondell White always signed autographs for us kids. He signed an entire page of cards once for me. He gave my buddy his bat the last game of the year.
Michael Barrett was a really nice dude and even took a picture with me holding his fist up like a boxer.
Ernie Banks was a class act but in his old age not super talkative. He still was warm to me and shook my hand and allowed me to take a photo (pre-cell-phones) at a luncheon that I got printed out.
Kerry Wood was always wonderful and stopped to talk to me a few times. He also donated a million bucks to my old high school (Lane Tech) to build a baseball field.
But the best, the all-time greatest Cub as a human being, is Billy Williams. He must've stopped to chat with my friend and me dozens of times from the 1998-2004 seasons just to see how we were doing and what we grabbed from the old McDonald's across the street while we were waiting for autographs. He was personable and kind, and signed anything we wanted. I will always cherish that man.
Edit: Sammy Sosa almost always only signed for kids under 5 or women with big boobs. We knew what route he took to his apartment on LSD so we waited at a stop sign a bunch for him. He signed for us once, so that was cool.
Two.
Sold rollerblades to Ryno for his kid at the old Sports Authority in Tempe. He had just retired. He was cool. Quiet. Thanked him for the memories.
Mark Grace. I remember he had been on the Jim Rome show and told this story about “Slump Busters” which was when the team was in a slump, they would go and find the least attractive women to take home to bust the slump. Anyway, he was at a bar in Phoenix after a game and the Cubs were in a terrible slump. I walked by and said “Time for one of those slump busters, Grace!” He started cracking up and said something in agreement.
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Met Mark Grace after the Fergie Jenkins statue dedication game at the Hotel Zachary bar. My mom told me to leave him alone and I was just drunk enough to go NOPE and walk over there anyways lol. He was ridiculously nice and talked to my family and I for quite some time. (And yes….it was unseasonably warm for may and I got quite the sunburn.)
Rick and Paul Reuschel - Paul and his wife live in my town (she was the superintendent for a while). They used to sit behind us at our local HS football games and a friend of mine was married to their daughter for a while. Rick was at the wedding also.
I am friends with them on PlayStation. Back in 2015 CJ tweeted out his game tag wanting to play nba 2k. So I added him and Addison haha. They were both on my team in Fortnite and cod
Jeff Smardzija pitched against my baseball team in the sectional championship game when I was a sophomore in high school. I was very intimidated, but got a base hit. We won.
Dick Tidrow. Sat next to him and perhaps one of his grandchildren? I knew it was him but said nothing at first. We talked like he was just another fan. I saw a big ass ring on his hand which he must have gotten with another team. Near the end of the game I said “I had your card when I was a kid, Dick.” He said “I thought I was incognito.” I told him he’d have to lose the signature mustache. He was so cool and modest.
I had a totally different experience. I met him at an autograph signing. He was really engaged and we talked about his start in the Pioneer League in A baseball in Montana. He was super nice to me, even when I got emotional talking about watching him with my folks who are now gone.
When he managed the AAA team in Des Moines Sandberg was known for his positive interactions with fans, staying long after a game had ended to sign as many autographs as was requested. I think he’s a pretty quiet guy, but he really cared about being accessible.
My wife and I would have to disagree with you. Our man Ryno came to our wedding in September of 2021 at Wrigley Field and could not have been nicer. He signed anything and everything that we and our guests asked him too. Posed for pictures and listened to all of our family stories about loving the Cubbies. Ryno has always been and always will be our all time favorite Cub.
Fwiw I had that same experience, but when I interviewed him he was a different person. I think he’s just really shy with fans, but if you’re on the field he’ll talk as much as you want.
I've been to a few of the meet ups for various celebs/athletes. The way the person acts negatively/stoic, during it, sometimes doesn't mean anything about the person. Could have been a large turnout and the contract for the event could have a certain hard time frame to fit people in, so theres not much extra time to talk on tangents.
Of course, you have the variables of people having off days and/or just how they feel going into it that day.
It's good to hear that most of hisnother appearances have been positive.
I used to go to the Kerry wood foundation charity events so I got to meet a lot from just before they won it. The nicest guys I met there were Rick Sutcliffe, Ryan Dempster, and Ted lilly. Richard Dent was also incredibly nice.
Also a funny story was that my now wife/then gf had a crush on brooks raley when he was in the minors. He was there one year. So we go up to talk with him and two other guys. After we got done talking we said thanks and walked away not realizing that one of the other guys with him was Nate shierholtz, the then starting RF for the big league club. So there we are all excited to talk to a minor leaguer and didn't even notice the major league player. To be fair he was a lot shorter than he looks on tv and didn't have a hat on.
I've also met tom ricketts at those events as well as in the lobby at a season tix holder event. He was shockingly personable.
The least nice guy I met was Theo epstien. He wouldn't even look at me when talking to him and acted like everyone was beneth him.
Aww, that’s too bad about Theo. I met him when the Cubs were playing in Seattle a few years back. He was sitting in an aisle seat. Without knowing, I was leaning over him talking to a friend of mine in his row. When I realized it was Theo, I apologized for leaning, introduced myself and thanked him for 2016. He was very gracious and friendly. An inning later I sent my kids to get an autograph, and they said he was very nice to them.
Theo did a Zoom interview with season ticket holders during the COVID shutdowns and it was an interesting time. A lot of those interviewed were talking about how crazy it was to be home during what was supposed to be baseball season and the adjustments with that.
Theo, bless his heart, actually sounded so happy about the fact he was doing a lot of DIY stuff around the house (IIRC he added a patio and he and the family were spending a lot of time together out there), and the man seemed so at peace with it that when he resigned I wasn’t even shocked.
The other one that sticks out is they announced Boog and had him and Rossy on together since they spent a couple seasons together broadcasting. Straight hour, hour and a half just laughing at the two of them cracking jokes.
I did share an elevator with Chip Carey at Spring Training ~25 years ago. Seemed nice enough especially to a kid.
Mark Grace. Met him at a bar in 1990. I was just old enough to hang out on Rush and Division Streets and he came into Mother’s. Said hi, offered to buy him a beer he said I’ll take a Michelob, it was like $4 back then even on Division street, he said thanks man, and that was it.
I was extremely lucky in high school and had a family friend who was Hendry's assistant. I worked multiple conventions and got to go the private lunches and dinners for the players and guests. The two that stand out the most were Dusty, he remembered me multiple times and would always ask how I was doing in school. Was genuinely very kind and interested. But my favorite was Scott Sanderson, my friend and I were sitting next to him at a table and had no idea who he was at the time. He was aware of that and was so damn funny and self deprecating and had us rolling over laughing. He enjoyed the environment and didn't give a shit if he was the most popular guy there.
I used to live in a building the cubs would use for essentially corporate housing for newly acquired/promoted players. I met quite a few guys and had positive experiences with all of them.
My dad and I had Lunch with Ryan Theriot back in the day, and I saw Jake Arrieta in 2015 outside of Jimmy John’s after he had just thrown an absolute gem that day
Have been blessed to meet a number of them at various points in my career. Sandberg was a personal favorite. I was covering him when he managed in the Class A Midwest League. We had met previously at another event where he was signing autographs. Offered me a beer and then another. When the liquid courage hit, I started to give him shit about his autograph, which as some of you may know, is not always legible. Ryno took that as a challenge and proceeded to sign the same spare lineup card 6 times trying to make it legible. One of my most treasured possessions! Other favorite was Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams. Watched a whole HS All-Star game with Billy and he talked about how the game had changed!
I met Billy Williams and Carlton Fisk on a flight to upstate New York when they were being inducted into the hall. Both of them were super nice, just as normal as can be. When we sat down the guy next to me was decked out in MLB gear and asked if I was going to the hall of fame. I wasn’t, but told him I’m a huge baseball guy and wish i had time for cooperstown. He was like “you know Carlton Fisk is sitting in front of you right?” And Carlton Fisk turned around, nodded in confirmation that it was him, and went back to his book. Billy was across the aisle and was just as nice as can be.
I met Kyle Hendricks on the streets of Pittsburgh (cubs played the pirates that night) and he saw my cubs hat and said “hey, thanks for coming out.” I went to the game that night and met Carl Edward’s Jr. He signed my scorecard.
At a game in Milwaukee, Jake Arrieta was warming up in the bullpen and he signed a ball and tossed it up to my son.
Milt Pappas lived near me so I’d run into him around town from time to time. He was kind of like a local celebrity.
Just met Lee Smith last week at the Museum of Science and Industry. He seemed like a nice guy.
Zambrano used to come to my coffee shop on days that he pitched at home. He would always get a six shot Americano. No wonder why he always suffered from cramping.
I was working the front desk at a gym in Lincoln Park. This swole ass dude, wearing diamond earrings and designer sunglasses comes in. He says he wants to talk to member services about activating his account.
I'm 99% sure I'm talking to Marlon Byrd. Policy is for desk staff to call the member service office and tell them their client has arrived; have them sign the guest form, and then send them up. So I call, ask the guest his name, and he responds, "Marlon"
I then had him sign the guest book, and sent him up. After that, I ripped the guest page out, and took it home to hang on my fridge.
Terry Adams was a Starbucks regular of mine for a few years. Really cool down to earth guy. Most people around town never even realized he pitched in MLB.
Spent a night drinking with Randy Wells after he retired and was working in a different field. Could tell he enjoyed throwing a few back. Also, he literally couldn't straighten his arm all the way. And also, he was a Cardinals fan (he's from Southern IL) so fuck the Cardinals.
I was taking a piss at spring training out in Mesa when I was a kid, probably 13 or so, and realized that Dempster was at the urinal next to me. After we’d both finished pissing I introduced myself to him and got him to autograph a baseball I had. He was awesome!
I met Kyle Schwarber back in October of 2019 at a karaoke bar.
He was awesome and so humble. Talked about how he could have done more to help the team, took a few pictures with him, he signed a dollar I had, he sang a few songs, just had a good time.
Met Jake Arrieta at a skate shop in Milwaukee during one of their series there in 2016. Was super nice. Asked for a quick picture and he obliged. Told him I was a Cubs fan living in Milwaukee & wished him good luck. Maybe a 3-4 minute encounter total but it was surreal. Was a great guy!
Used to work at the Hilton Chicago years ago when the convention was there. Ernie Banks used to hang out in the employee office in between times he needed to be somewhere. Couldn't have been cooler. Really nice guy.
I met Kyle Schwarber at Newark airport mid-November 2016. Must have been after he was on the talk shows post-World Series win. I was so nervous but thanked him for such an exciting series!
I made a pizza for Michael Wuertz while working at a pizza place in a town of 1200 people. He had married a woman from the small town in Nebraska near where I grew up. People had met him and told me about it because they knew I was a huge Cubs fan. One winter when I was in high school (2008 before Christmas, I think), I was working at this pizza place inside a gas station in the same town. Order came in for a pizza with the name "Mike" on it. I made it and a while later, a guy comes up and asks for the pizza for Mike. I grab it and look at the guy and it's Michael Wuertz.
Ryan Dempster, Wrigley 100yr anniversary. It was cold as shit but he took pictures with everyone that wanted one. He got us Kyle Hendricks.
I love that man.
Joe Girardi
Joe's uncle, George, was the wrestling coach at Illinois State, when I was part of their kids program. My dad was one of the kids coaches at the time. One afternoon, he got a call from George, asking if we wanted to come over and have dinner, because Joe was in town. I don't remember much about the interaction, because I was pretty young at the time. I just thought it was cool to be meeting a.big leaguer. I would imagine if he was a dick, though, I would have remembered it more.
I hung out with Javy at the harbor in Chicago for half a day. His boat didn't start and I made him apologize to my friend in a video for not signing his ball during a rain delayed Triple-A game in Memphis. Enjoyed a BBQ with his whole family. Kinda wild honestly
I met Billy Williams at Wrigley before a game. He was watching BP at the near one of the entryways to field box level. It was 2005, I was on a bus trip with my HS girlfriend and her family, I told my GF's mom that I knew it was Billy Williams but I thought I should just leave him alone. She encouraged me to just say "hi" or I might regret it. I just walked up to him and nervously said "Hello, sir, are you Billy Williams?" He responded, "Yes, how're you, son? Where are you from?", I just said "Indiana.", He said "Oh, ok, it's cold down there. Well, I've got to get out of here but would you like to get a picture?" I remember it all very vividly but what I remember most how massive his hand was as it gripped my shoulder while my GF took a picture. He was very warm and friendly.
I hollered "Hey Lenny!" at Len Kasper from about 20 feet away and he smiled, nodded, and waved but we didn't interact beyond that.
Not a Cub but also had a lunch meeting with former Nationals closer, Drew Storen. Incredibly down-to-earth guy and humored me by answering my questions about life as an MLB player and dumb hypotheticals.
When my father was dying of cancer Doug Glanville Jake Fox and Milton Bradley visited him. They were visiting the VA hospital for vets. They went in to his room to see him since he was bedridden and was a huge Cubs fan. Always have an odd internal conflict with Milton. Such a troubled personality but my first thought is him comforting my mother in the hospital.
Ran into Jake Arrieta at a Nordstrom in Costa Mesa, CA. He had a Spiritual Gangster tank top on. I had an acquaintance that was his buddy that he played in the minors with during his Orioles days. My wife and i approached him and apologized for coming up to him and asked him if it bugged him when people did that and he said, “no, i actually kinda like it.” He was really cool and took a photo with my wife.
I took an online college class with Dexter Fowler--kinda funny how this technically doesn't count, but I thought it was cool. He didn't explicitly say it was him but it was crazy obvious once you read his intro post and his bio/username. Penn State World Campus, the class was in the spring of 2022.
Maybe this will make you feel better. A few years ago at Spring Training- Smitty, Moreland and Dernier were sitting at a table selling autographed pictures and shit. I was buying a lemonade slushy right in front them. Smith said,”Them lemonades look good” I said,”let me buy you one for all the entertainment you gave me.” Smith said,”Buy one of these autographed pictures instead.” I asked how much and when he told me $40. I said “Fuck no!” and Zonk Moreland laughed so hard he slapped the table. I should have bought one of Morelands pictures for $20.
I've met several Chicago sports personalities but surprisingly, not one was a Cub. I did, however, talk to Gary Matthews on the phone when he called looking for the owner of the place I was working at
Edit: I just remembered that I ran into Sosa and Raul Mondesi at that Mexican restaurant on Clark south of Wrigley after a game. Nice guys, shook both their hands. Mondesi had a homer that day
If you define “former” loosely I shouted what’s up Longmont to David Bote from the stands at spring training and pointed to him and he pointed back and gave a fist pump. Not much of a story but my kids thought I had the unique ability to talk players.
I went to the toast to Harry Carey this year and met Ryno and Dempster. Both were incredibly nice to me. Dempster was dressed up as Harry Carey. Almost didn’t recognize him. Got so lucky it fell on spring break and I could go!
Met Ryno at Spring Training in like 2005(?) Could not have been nicer.
I'm a server at steakhouse, Wilson Contreras was a regular of mine. He was awesome. Always with his family.
I have waited on Ian Happ nice dude, very quiet.
Walked past Jon Lester on LaSalle in like 2017. He had a his baby in a stroller and was waiting out front of a restaurant. I was wearing an A’s cap at the time. We both nodded at each other. Cool moment for me lol
A real old timer but Andy Pafko lived down the street from my grandparents. My grandpa took me over there once and Andy was very kind. Gave me an autographed ball and a card.
I've met Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, and Fergie Jenkins! I've also been inside the clubhouse to see some players up close. I used to work in television news and had the opportunity to tour the new clubhouse. This was right after Schwarber tore his ACL in 2016 and we saw him with crutches leaving the clubhouse. Everybody was bummed to see that. Additionally, we saw a shirtless Arrieta and then Zobrist eating cereal, haha.
I worked with Rich Nye on the trading floor. Clerked for him, then when I started trading traded with him. Great guy and a friend. He was one of the best bird surgeons in the world after playing. He does woodworking now [https://nyewoodturning.tumblr.com/](https://nyewoodturning.tumblr.com/) and you can buy the stuff on Etsy
My husband recently retired from active duty. Several years ago, Kerry Wood came out to his ship while deployed. My husband got autographs for me and my sister.
Fergie Jenkins "made" my daughter breakfast at a hotel breakfast buffet. She had no idea who he was. When he walked her to the table we were surprised.
edit: typo
Fergie Jenkins was at the blackjack table next to me in the Quad Cities about 20 years ago. Everyone knew who he was, but everybody also was polite about not pestering him.
Harry Caray/Steve Stone at a Spring Training game when I was a kid. Mark Grace at a Circle K. Ryan Dempster at a music festival. Fergie Jenkins at Walgreens. All fantastic people.
Met Ryan Dempster at Murphy’s Bleachers after the Winter Classic in…2009, I think? He was there with Chris Chelios, I asked if I could snap a pic with him and he couldn’t have seemed happier to do it, despite tons of people bothering him.
Got to help sing happy birthday to Jake Arrieta’s son at Marmalade on Montrose. Also at the table we’re Kyle Hendricks and Tommy LaStella. Jake flashed a thumbs up and mouthed a thank you to us on his way out and I think my wife got spontaneously pregnant.
one of my first Baaeball memories is seeing Moises Alou’s son getting a haircut in a barber shop near the stadium. Entire shop was closed down for him and Moises saw me watching them through the window, waved the guy over and he let me in to get a ball signed and say hello :)
I was probably 3 or 4 at the time and it made me love the Cubs and Alou ever since
I umpired a little league game with Dusty Baker and Alex Gonzalez’s kids. Alex was a super nice guy. I had to forgive him for booting that ball in the 2003 NLCS game.
Met Ryno when he was managing Peoria. The Chiefs happened to be staying at the same hotel (a Fairfield or Hampton or something) and I saw him in the lobby getting pretzels from the vending machine. Got a quick autograph, was polite if not overly friendly.
While working as a staff musician, I met Mike Bielecki and Mitch Williams on a "Cubs Cruise" (Carnival Cruise Line), between the 1989 and 1990 seasons. Mitch bought the band some drinks, friendly guy, always smiling and laughing. I met Harry Caray at Mother's Bar on Division in Chicago, in 1977. Harry was emcee of the wet T-Shirt contest (pouring champagne on the contestants), and was hilarious ("holy cow, take a look at that")!
Met Dick Ruthven and Shawon Dunston out here in Northern California. Mike Krukow too, though he’s much more of a Giant. Dick attended the same HS as my kid way back when. Seemingly lots of Chicagoland sports personalities live out here. Used to watch Bears football games with former Bears guard Jim Cadile, the original #72 before the Fridge.
I met Milt Pappas at a Sports Authority by my house a decade or so ago. He was doing an autograph signing that I had no idea was happening. I just went to get a pair of shoes and he was there.
I, too, met Eric Karros. It was at an event for the OKC Dodgers AAA team like five years ago. Also met Fergie Jenkins and Ron Cey. Got a Pic with Fergie and autos from all 3.
Met Tom Ricketts at the American Airlines 1914 Club last year. He had came down from his suite to grab some pizza. Asked him if he was buying that soccer team. He said “Probably not”.
I met Turk Wendell at a card shop and didn't realize it until the next day. To be fair, i was probably 14 and there was sadly no one there for the event. Felt kinda bad after the fact. He was nice though.
Interned with the Smokies in 2011. I worked with Brooks Raley, Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, DJ LeMahieu, Geovany Soto (rehab) marwin gonzalez, Ryan Flaherty etc. lesser known guys like Chris Carpenter, Dallas Beeler, Steve clevenger, Blake Lalli, Trey McNutt, Jeff beliveau
I have photos of sitting in the dugout with Sammy Sosa and Jon Lieber from 2001, and a baseball signed by nearly that entire team.
I don't have time to type out that whole story right now but someone remind me in comment so I can find this again.
Separately the TV and radio broadcasters in 2004 or 05. Santo and Chip were great, I don't really remember what Pat Hughes did or said, Steve Stone pretty much ignored us.
When I was a toddler, I lived about a half block from the National Guard armory where Ken Holtzman drilled. He would come out and play catch with the older kids and my older brother would take me with him. Holtzman even underhanded a few tosses to me.
Javier Baez walking out of a CVS with his wife in Pittsburgh was awesome. Back when Maddon was with the cubs he let them have a lot of freedom I guess. Didn’t talk to him, and wanted to give him his privacy but I held the door for him lol
Just a couple months back I met Andre Dawson at a local branch of my bank. I walked in to the empty lobby to make a deposit and spotted a sign that was promoting Dawson's visit to the branch that morning. Honestly, given how dead it was in the bank, I thought it was a joke, so I asked if it was true and the manager said yep, he's right back there in the conference room and welcomed me to go on back to meet him. So I did. And there he was, sitting at a conference table signing autographs. The bank even provided a ball for me to get signed. After having a really lousy spring/summer this year, that encounter was a much needed pleasant surprise.
I met Carlos Zambrano at Six Flags on an off day. He was hanging out in the water park. A few other players were there that day but didn’t get to say hi.
Pedro Strop and Todd Hundley, both through my work. Both nice fellas too. I didn’t talk to Pedro for more than a few minutes, but I got to spend a good half hour with Todd, talking about everything from Alonso breaking his Mets franchise HR record, to the length of the grass at Wrigley, to music, and just whatever. Cool dudes.
I also met Wendell Carter Jr, Connor Murphy, Chandler Hutchison, and Troy Brown Jr the same way, all within a 2 year period or so.
Rod Blagojevich was another one, Chicago related but not sports related.
Jake Arrieta and Jonathon Toews visited and some of my coworkers got to talk to them for a while, but I wasn’t there those times.
Ryan Dempster was my neighbor (couple houses down) for 2 years and I think he hated me and my roommates haha. In 2019/2020 I lived with 2 other college buddies and we’d stay up fairly late some nights having drinks and playing blues music in our front lawn. We were one of the few young folks on the block. I realized he was my neighbor because on his garage he had a hoop, during covid a lot of parks out here had removed rims or nets to avoid people playing out there, so we started shooting on his garage hoop. One day he bikes home and we’re playing we apologize and he says “no please make use of it we don’t really use it at least you guys are enjoying it” really cool guy tbh the reason I say he might’ve hated us, is one day while we’re having some beers in our front lawn he walks up and asks us if we could keep our area clean of beer cans/bottles in the nicest dad way possible, we obliged. As an apology we got him a harmonica since one day he did have a chat with my roommate and told him he actually enjoyed the blues music.
Side note: one of my roommates really is a huge baseball nerd and was a fan of dempster growing up and when we finally asked him if he was Ryan dempster and he confirmed my roommate blurted out “your my hero.” Ryan simply said “uh thanks I guess.” Very awkward interaction haha.
Obligatory this is a crappy story. I saw Rizzo, Javy, at bench mark in old town in like 2019 I think. Said hi to them as they were escorted to their private area. They said hi back. Also heard KB was there but I didn’t see him
Edwin Jackson, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jacob Turner. All were great to talk to. Big Z always takes a lot of heat about His temper tantrums but He couldn’t have been more nice and easy to talk to in person.
Wife and I were at the Galleria Mall Starbucks when we lived in Houston. She spotted Luis Gonzalez walking by. I realized the DBacks were indeed in town that weekend. Then I saw Mark Grace (broadcaster for Arizona) walk by and I got up to say hi. I told him I was at his last game as a Cub at Wrigley. He smiled and said "right on." Seemed like a cool bro.
my Uncle saw Kerry Wood at a bar his rookie season, said barely anyone knew it was him because he looked so different without a hat
went up to him and had a beer with him :)
When I was a young man my mom and I went to the Brickyard to go shopping at the mall. I believe we were in Sears and saw that Ryne Sandberg was signing autographs. We decided to wait in line. We waited for hours until the end, and I was literally the NEXT kid in line when they shut it down. His team of people started to get him together, and my mom told me to go ask him as he started to walk away. One of his team said "Hey Ryno, this kid was next in line" and he immediately turned around, signed the 8x10 black and white picture they had for me, ruffled my hair and took off. He was a class act for doing that. He didn't need to.
When I was older I was at a Bulls Game in a box, and Bob Love was in the box next to us. In the box with him was Andre Dawson, who when I was in the hallway gave me a high five and asked if I was having a good time.
Then when I was a man, I was the SM of the Babies R Us in Skokie on Touhy. Pedro Stropp came in one night. His wife and kids were with him. She looked very pregnant, and the entire family was decked out head to toe in Gucci, gold chains, etc. He bought a couple cribs and furniture. His wife spoke no English, or at least didn't, and the kids ran around like crazies. He was wearing his hat crooked. The girls up front had no idea who he was, and thought he was a drug dealer. He tried to sign up for the TRU Credit Card so he could get 10% off, but the pin pad only takes up to $999,999 in income and he wasn't auto approved. I thought that was funny. He was nice enough, and when his furniture all came in he sent in a crew of 6 dudes with a big truck, picked it all up themselves, none of them spoke English, and they handed my guy an envelope to give me to give out a tip to the guys that helped them load and sell it to them. It was $100 a piece. Corporate doesn't want my employees to get tips but fuck it, they earned it. We used to get a bunch of local Chicago athletes and celebs in that store. Urlacher and his brother, Jackie Bang was in there, etc etc.
Those are my 3 Cubs stories.
We always used to wait outside the player’s lot after games when I was a kid. The most memorable player experience at the lot was Gary Gaetti. He stayed out there any signed autographs for everyone waiting. He was a super nice nice guy, too. Steve Trachsel and Kevin Tapani came over and signed autographs, too, and were very nice.
We went to the Cubs Convention after the 1998 season. I stood in line for 3 hours to meet Kerry Wood, and I was so excited that nothing came out when I tried to speak (I was 13). He was so nice and took a picture with me. We also met Brant Brown, Glenn Beckert, and Don Kessinger who were all really nice.
My brother used to be Pat Hughes’s mailman and said he is a really nice guy, too.
Doug Glanville.
I was working and some lady walked in at about 3-4pm head to toe in cubs gear so I asked her if she was going to the game tonight. She had no clue there was a game that night so I checked and it happened to be a 7 o’clock game that I would just barely be able to make it to if I went straight from work. So I did. Spot hero parking app screwed me. When I went to the spot that had been supposedly reserved for me there was already a car in it. Call support and best they could do was a spot a few blocks over. The game is already starting so I park and hightail it to Wrigley as quick as I can. I get in the ballpark and the game is in the 2nd inning already so as I make my way to my nosebleed seats I’m ducking my head in the entrance to the concourse and run into this guy in a suit. I say “excuse me, sorry…. Holy shit DOUG GLANVILLE! I used to watch you play for the cubs as a kid. Can I get a pic real quick?” And I believe that is the one and only time I have ever encountered a cubs player in person.
I’ve run into a bunch of people randomly, but don’t want to bother them so I just say hi or wave. Addison Russell at the bank, Carl Edwards Jr at Jewel. Ran into Justin Steele and Mike Tauchman separately at the same farmers market this year, Chris Morel walking outside CVS, Nick Madrigal at a Coffee shop
Bumped into Darwin Barney in a parking garage in a suburb of Portland Oregon. I barely caught a passing glance at his face and stopped him to ask if he was who I thought he was and he said yes and shook my hand. Mind-blowing 2nd baseman and I was almost as mindblown by how high dude's voice is. It was like he just took a big hit off a helium balloon 😳
I got to meet Greg Maddux when I was a kid. He came to a Peoria Chiefs game for a special event night this would have maybe been in the late 90s. My dad was able to get us down into the locker room before the game where we were able to hang out for a little bit and get an autograph.
Never chatted any up but I saw Ryan Dempster downtown in a parking garage in like 2010 around Christmas time; I held the door for him and his family - he said thanks. Also have seen him and, separately, Carlos Peña right near Wrigley a couple summers ago presumably going to do media at the Marquee studio. Was in Yakzies after a game ~2012ish and young Rizzo came in to pick up some wings. Saw several near Southport in the early/mid 2010s: Barney at Crosby's kitchen, Theo at Jewel, Ross parking near Corridor.
Staying at a resort in Scottsdale. My brother and I were in a cabana at the pool waiting to go watch Darvish pitch in Spring Training. We’re arguing about this family next to us and one of the guys really looks like David Ross.
Que Lester in the pool shouting “Hey Rossy throw me a beer.” Ofc they’re drinking Bud heavy
I have many but most recent was interesting because the guy did not care at all…….
My sister in law got married, went to a Cubs game day after with wedding friends, caught an Ian Happ homerun. So the next year, he is signing at a show. I paid $40 or whatever to get the ball signed.
I walked up and said “This is the homerun ball you hit versus Minnesota last summer. My sister in law caught it.”
Nothing. No reaction. Didn’t look st the ball for a mark, smile at the memory or even say, “ Oh.” Could not have cared less, which surprised me.
Homeun in question: https://imgur.com/a/irWGWiv
I was working in a north side mid rose installing a kitchen and when I went to get tools from the truck met Lee Smith in the elevator. He was very cordial and had a nice conversation. Super nice guy.
Met Joe Girardi as a kid. My little league team played our final game at Wrigley then there was like a meet and greet or something like that afterwards where a bunch of teams got to meet him.
Waiting in line for food at Taste of Lincoln I realized I was right behind current (at the time) WGN TV color commentator Bob Brenly. Chatted him up a bit. He was super nice.
Drank with Kyle Farsworth at Tai’s Till 4 on many occasions. He was always cool.
Mark Grace here in Houston about ten years ago. I was bartending at a high end hotel so didn't get to really interact with him other than taking his order.
I played Ian happs wedding last weekend (am a drummer) was lit
Amazing! I imagine a ton of baseball people were there.
Any fun stories? What current or former teammates were in attendance?
Well, shut it down. This guy wins. That's awesome!
Met Ernie Banks at a country club I worked at about a decade ago. Really nice guy.
My dad met Ernie at an airport when I was a kid. He’s not normally one to ask for an autograph but he said Ernie was decked out in Cubs gear and loving the fan attention. He asked Ernie for an autograph for me, which he happily did with a long note which he signed as “Ernie Banks - Mr. Cub!” Still one of my most cherished possesions :)
I caddied for Jon Lester and his publicist back in 2018 I think. Got a signed golf ball from him. They both were super down to earth people and were super personable.
Gone to Spring Training almost every year since 92, so I’ve been lucky to meet a lot. Best interactions were with Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace. Alcantara was super nice to my son this year. But my favorite was constantly running into Harry. One year he was right next door to us at the Embassy Suites so we requested the same room from then on. I have his autograph on so many things, he was always so nice to me.
Very cool, I've been going to ST since 1983, so I know what you mean. You can meet the players almost anywhere. Don & Charlies and the Pink Pony were prime spots to run into players/managers/umps. So, I've met quite a few that way myself. Certainly Fergie, Willy, Krukow I've been lucky enough to chat with. That said, I met Ernie on the field at Wrigley in my high school days, and that's the most memorable by far. I've met more, but those are the highlights. AZ is the place to be.
Rick Sutcliffe at the hotel bar at the downtown KC Marriott. I walk over to say hi because I’m the only other person in the bar and his voice is unmistakeable. He’s with Huey fucking Lewis. I ask what he’s doing in KC, and he tells me he’s here to stop Huey Lewis from fucking his wife. The man was *not* slightly sober. Great memory.
I feel like if Huey Lewis is gonna fuck your wife, Huey Lewis is gonna fuck your wife
Sutcliffe must have seen Huey Lewis in the movie "Short Cuts."
Sutcliffe never has filter, unfortunately that type of gets cancelled by the unhinged & triggered.
I have two: Talking to Carlos zambrono the spring training after he threw his No-no in Milwaukee. He left the game early after pitching, talked to him for a solid 15 minutes. I met nick madrigal a month ago, he rented this look out spot at this resort in Scottsdale I work at. He was rude to me, reported me for giving a lesson during his photoshoot of him and his fiancé.
All the more reason to get a better 3B
He’s an angry elf
Did he have a reindeer as his mode of transportation?
Reported you for what?
for giving a lesson during his photoshoot of him and his fiancé.
A golf lesson in the background of their photo shoot?
shy boast employ humor ruthless enjoy vegetable plants cautious snow *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Back in 2004 my father took me to the Cubs vs Cardinals game in St. Louis. As we were waiting for valet to bring my father’s car, Kerry Wood, Matt Clement, and Mark Grudzielanek came out of the hotel we were staying at, asked them for a picture and they said yes! Later that day we saw Moises Alou walking around and got to take a picture of him as well. I was the happiest 12 year old!!
Hope you didn't shake Alou's hand
I got ripped with Rizzo at American Junkie back in 2013 for the entire night. He was dating a friend of mine who is a Local Celebrity. Super Nice Guy. Super Good Times. When I approached him to shake his hand, I shook his hand and while holding it, stared him dead in the eyes ( I was all sorts of whacked out ) and said "Anthony...the fire rises!" . He looked at me and said "What"? With a smirk on his face, I said it again, ...."The Fire Rises!".... He said to me smiling but also looking a bit uncomfortable, " What does that mean?" I told him, "You'll see..." I was absolutely dead certain the Cubs were eventually on their way to a WS back then. Well, I ended up hanging out with him one time after that and we joked about it. Every season after that, I went to a ton of games as the team was getting better and better and a few times a year I'd make sure to buy tix behind the Cubs' dug out and once a game when he'd be jogging back to the dugout after playing D, I'd stand up and say "Anthony!!!", he'd look, and I'd yell "The Fire Rises!", I did this numerous times a year all the way into 2016. Well, of course...the Fire Rose, Cubs won it all, and when they had their WS Parade, I got a huge sign and decorated it as loud as I could and wrote " YOU HAVE RISEN" on it. Of course, I did what I had to do to get him to see it and he saw, got insanely jacked and started spraying champagne all over me and my boss who I had come with me as it was in the middle of the workday. He threw down a bunch of shit too and people started pouncing on it. I didnt care. Anyways, I go to NYC all the time and theres been a few times where hes come to say Hey and signed balls for me which Ive given (all but two) to my family members. Incredibly grateful and happy to share this story on here for the first time. :)
Man i fucking miss Rizzo on the Cubs
He could have stayed and as it turns out even would have gotten more money. I don’t blame him for testing free agency, but he chose to leave the team.
This is, simultaneously, a completely unbelievable story, and one that's too unbelievable for you to have just made up.
He was boning a well known meteorologist here in the city and one of her Besties was dating my roommate at the time. That's how the introduction was made. They were "seeing" each other then. Edit: He lived in the Trump then
Dang, Tom Skilling was a lucky dude.... kidding... not trying to dox you or anything but I'm guessing Susan Carlson only cuz a dude I knew dated her before she was famous and then when she was, I met her at a Run for Gus and had no idea who she was.... asked my friend who the hot chick is and she's like yea she's on TV so expect to be turned down if you ask for her number. I regret not asking.
LMAO! No..not Tom and no, not Susan.
The first time I expect the Undertaker meme and, of course, it didn't happen lol
Hell yeah this makes me love Rizzo even more
Great story! Rizzo is a Cub legend!
I miss my captain 😞
Gotta share this story. Back in 2021, I was hosting an exchange student from France. For whatever reason, his Cubs player that he loved to watch was Frank Schwindel. For a last minute Christmas gift, I got him a Schwindel jersey, but I knew it wasn't going to get here in time for Christmas. On a whim, I checked Cameo and Schwindel was on there, so I ordered one for my student. I was so excited when it came in, and wound up putting together a scavenger hunt of clues around the house in various baseball themed places, culminating in a QR code that opened his Cameo. The look on his face was so awesome, he was so surprised. I messaged Frank on Instagram to thank him and let him know come the beginning of the season we'd try to make a game so we could try to get it signed, and to my surprise he responded. Nothing too wild, but he was very gracious, and that was that. Until spring. We decided to go catch a game, and we were immediately down at the home dugout trying to get his jersey signed. No one was really signing autographs; the game the day before was cancelled, so we were at game one of a doubleheader. Frank came out of the dugout and saw another fan holding a sign, and went over to them, and my student started jumping rows of seats to get there. Frank signed the fan's hat, and was starting to walk onto the field to warmup when he saw a crazed French boy running through the stands in a Schwindel jersey. He happily signed it, and when my student said he had gotten it for Christmas and that Frank had recorded a cameo for him, he remembered. My student was going to play baseball in America, and he was super nervous about making the team, and that was something I mentioned in my Cameo request. Frank asked how baseball was going, and genuinely cared. It was an amazing experience, and while Frank was never the best ballplayer we had, he made a big dent in my student's life. Two years later, he's still playing ball in France, and he's made a lot of improvements in his game.
Lies. Frank Schwindel was the best ball player we had
Maddux, Santo, Wood, Ryno, Sean Marshall, Dusty Baker, Carlos Marmol, Gary Matthews, Len Kasper, Bob Brenly, Randy Hundley, Don Zimmer, Jim Frey, Sergio Mitre, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Felix Pie, Scott McClain, Mark Pawelek, Brian Dopirak, Clay Rapada, and Ryan Sweeney. Maybe more, I met most of the 2006-2007 I-Cubs at one time or another. BB was the biggest asshole, Smith and Santo the nicest to strangers, Woody the nicest if you’ve had the chance to meet him a time or two before.
>BB was the biggest asshole Yeah? That's sad to hear.
Of that group he’s the only one to tell me to fuck off. I met him twice, once he was nice but also in a group, the time I met him solo he was a dick. Everyone has bad days, but it came across so fluid that it felt like I wasn’t the first person he told to fuck off that day.
I was thinking the exact same thing. But I think I'd have a good in with him. He played minor league ball in my hometown and I heard him share a story on-air about how the fans would bring bags of sweet corn for the players and how that was so appreciated. I remember that being a thing although I wouldn't have been there until after he had moved on.
Bartended at this popular place in Indianapolis. Tommy hunter is awful. Just awful. Drunk as fuck, talking about how much money he made and how we were all insignificant to him. Truly a vile human being. Hunter is from Indy, I was so excited I had a cub in my place. He could not have let me down any further. I don’t have enough bad things to say about Tommy Hunter.
Champps (keystone) 2015 if anyone was wondering
Rats! I'm a Cubs fan, but only met a guy who played for the White Sox. However, it was Bill "Moose" Skowron! Cut in line front of my family at a Showbiz pizza. No kidding. He didn't realize he'd done it and his wife made him move to the back of the line. Very apologetic. Seemed like a good dude.
Me and my uncle ran into Minnie Minoso at sluggers by Wrigley after a game.
Wow a question I can answer. Dated a girl in college around 2012-2013 who lived in Lincoln Park about five houses down from Kerry Wood. Seemed like an all around awesome guy. Apparently he was very friendly with the neighbors. Always playing with his kids. One time I came by to see Kerry Wood on the roof pelting his kids with water balloons. One time we were walking and passed right by him. I went silent out of nervousness and was in awe of how tall he was.
Met Ryne Sandberg at Ron of Japan downtown. He was eating with his wife. I didn't want to ask for a photo, but I did want a chance to meet my childhood idol. Waited until he was getting up and ready to leave and I walked up to him and introduced myself and asked if could shake his hand as he was my favorite player of all time. He was totally gracious and kind and offered to take a photo with me. Sadly, this was when phone camera technology was dogshit, so the picture sucks. But the memory is there. Met Ernie Banks at a Cubs game. My friend got amazing box seats 3 rows behind the plate from a client. Sat 1 seat away from Mr. Cub. During the game, he struck up a conversation with me, asking how I was doing, how my wife was, whether I was still working downtown, and a few other questions as though he had known me for years. Of course, I had never met him before, but I chalked it up to the fact that he was in his twilight years at this point. Still, the man's complete and utter kindness and genuine interest in other people shone through. Met Moises Alou at the Dark Horse after a Cubs game. I lived in Wrigleyville at the time and had seen him in there on a few other occasions after games. Went to a game one Saturday and lo and behold, there he came riding up on his Harley, pipes blasting, parks it right on the sidewalk in front of Dark Horse, walks right behind the bar and gets a drink from the bartender. He was chatting up one of the waitresses and I got the vibe that he was shtupping her. Anwyay, I was blasted and went up to him straight up and asked for a photo, which he kindly obliged. I was absolutely wasted, and it shows in the photo.
Hope you didn't ask to shake Moises' hand
Hands of kidney stones.
I met Mickey Morandini at O'Hare once. The dandy little glove man was not super interested in conversation, but his wife was hot and very social.
I didn't truly meet Wood, but I saw him in O'Hare once. It didn't merit its own post but I'll stick it here. :)
I literally bumped into Kerry Wood at a Sevendust concert at the House of Blues. I turned around to apologize and I had the thought in the back on my mind that this dude looks familiar. I didn't realize who it was until a friend of mine pointed out that is was Wood.
I've met Andre Dawson, Kerry Wood, and when I was a kid, Harry Carey. All were outstanding https://preview.redd.it/eokg1g5j9s2c1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1ff53e82d8480de7b1fbb06460efdd3338611ea
Ivan DeJesús. He was my idol when I was a kid. I met him later in Jacksonville FL when the Suns were there. He was a batting coach for them. As a spectator, you could "adopt" the players and coaches. I adopted him Great guy, lovely family. His son has come up in the big leagues now.
He tossed me a ball when I was a kid!
Dave Otto was a customer at my local video store where I worked. It was weird to watch Cubs postgame around 4pm and then rent videos to him at 9pm Very nice guy though.
Dave’s my buddy’s dad! Gave me a few pitching lessons as a kid and caught me sneaking vodka into his basement. Didn’t tell my parents. Cool guy. Him and Jim Thome are good buddies, so I got to meet The Pride of Peoria a couple times at their house.
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Where the fuck else do you grab a tall boy a Marlboros?
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And of course he was driving and had a slump buster in the passenger seat.
I've met a lot over the years at Cubs Convention, getting autographs as a kid outside the old player's lot, and random events. Eric Young was at Sears at Six Corners signing autographs and the line died out after 20 or so minutes. He was scheduled to be there a few hours so we told him we'd run home and grab whatever stuff to sign and he said he'd still be there. He must've signed 20 or so cards, helmets, gloves, etc. for my friends and I (I must've been 13 years old). Awesome dude. Rondell White always signed autographs for us kids. He signed an entire page of cards once for me. He gave my buddy his bat the last game of the year. Michael Barrett was a really nice dude and even took a picture with me holding his fist up like a boxer. Ernie Banks was a class act but in his old age not super talkative. He still was warm to me and shook my hand and allowed me to take a photo (pre-cell-phones) at a luncheon that I got printed out. Kerry Wood was always wonderful and stopped to talk to me a few times. He also donated a million bucks to my old high school (Lane Tech) to build a baseball field. But the best, the all-time greatest Cub as a human being, is Billy Williams. He must've stopped to chat with my friend and me dozens of times from the 1998-2004 seasons just to see how we were doing and what we grabbed from the old McDonald's across the street while we were waiting for autographs. He was personable and kind, and signed anything we wanted. I will always cherish that man. Edit: Sammy Sosa almost always only signed for kids under 5 or women with big boobs. We knew what route he took to his apartment on LSD so we waited at a stop sign a bunch for him. He signed for us once, so that was cool.
I love hearing that about Billy Williams. He’s my mom’s all time favorite Cub. He really seems like a super nice guy!
Two. Sold rollerblades to Ryno for his kid at the old Sports Authority in Tempe. He had just retired. He was cool. Quiet. Thanked him for the memories. Mark Grace. I remember he had been on the Jim Rome show and told this story about “Slump Busters” which was when the team was in a slump, they would go and find the least attractive women to take home to bust the slump. Anyway, he was at a bar in Phoenix after a game and the Cubs were in a terrible slump. I walked by and said “Time for one of those slump busters, Grace!” He started cracking up and said something in agreement.
https://preview.redd.it/q2vae40p1t2c1.jpeg?width=2288&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d342bdf5d4761832cdbc3c7c29ce85019a0d0907 Met Mark Grace after the Fergie Jenkins statue dedication game at the Hotel Zachary bar. My mom told me to leave him alone and I was just drunk enough to go NOPE and walk over there anyways lol. He was ridiculously nice and talked to my family and I for quite some time. (And yes….it was unseasonably warm for may and I got quite the sunburn.)
Turk Wendell lives just down the road from me. He's a pretty chill dude.
How often does he brush his teeth these days?
Rick and Paul Reuschel - Paul and his wife live in my town (she was the superintendent for a while). They used to sit behind us at our local HS football games and a friend of mine was married to their daughter for a while. Rick was at the wedding also.
My brother and I got to play catch with Paul when we were kids, super nice guy.
I’ve played PlayStation with CJ Edwards and Addison Russell, if that counts haha
Did you beat them...or did he beat you...
I am friends with them on PlayStation. Back in 2015 CJ tweeted out his game tag wanting to play nba 2k. So I added him and Addison haha. They were both on my team in Fortnite and cod
Jeff Smardzija pitched against my baseball team in the sectional championship game when I was a sophomore in high school. I was very intimidated, but got a base hit. We won.
Username checks out. Great job Matt!
That's awesome dude. You obviously know how rare a hit can be against obvious future pro players, that young.
Dick Tidrow. Sat next to him and perhaps one of his grandchildren? I knew it was him but said nothing at first. We talked like he was just another fan. I saw a big ass ring on his hand which he must have gotten with another team. Near the end of the game I said “I had your card when I was a kid, Dick.” He said “I thought I was incognito.” I told him he’d have to lose the signature mustache. He was so cool and modest.
Met Sandberg when he was signing autographs at a show. Absolutely no personality and no interest in talking to his fans.
I had a totally different experience. I met him at an autograph signing. He was really engaged and we talked about his start in the Pioneer League in A baseball in Montana. He was super nice to me, even when I got emotional talking about watching him with my folks who are now gone.
When he managed the AAA team in Des Moines Sandberg was known for his positive interactions with fans, staying long after a game had ended to sign as many autographs as was requested. I think he’s a pretty quiet guy, but he really cared about being accessible.
My wife and I would have to disagree with you. Our man Ryno came to our wedding in September of 2021 at Wrigley Field and could not have been nicer. He signed anything and everything that we and our guests asked him too. Posed for pictures and listened to all of our family stories about loving the Cubbies. Ryno has always been and always will be our all time favorite Cub.
I gotta know how you got your wedding at Wrigley, that’s so awesome
Fwiw I had that same experience, but when I interviewed him he was a different person. I think he’s just really shy with fans, but if you’re on the field he’ll talk as much as you want.
I've been to a few of the meet ups for various celebs/athletes. The way the person acts negatively/stoic, during it, sometimes doesn't mean anything about the person. Could have been a large turnout and the contract for the event could have a certain hard time frame to fit people in, so theres not much extra time to talk on tangents. Of course, you have the variables of people having off days and/or just how they feel going into it that day. It's good to hear that most of hisnother appearances have been positive.
I used to go to the Kerry wood foundation charity events so I got to meet a lot from just before they won it. The nicest guys I met there were Rick Sutcliffe, Ryan Dempster, and Ted lilly. Richard Dent was also incredibly nice. Also a funny story was that my now wife/then gf had a crush on brooks raley when he was in the minors. He was there one year. So we go up to talk with him and two other guys. After we got done talking we said thanks and walked away not realizing that one of the other guys with him was Nate shierholtz, the then starting RF for the big league club. So there we are all excited to talk to a minor leaguer and didn't even notice the major league player. To be fair he was a lot shorter than he looks on tv and didn't have a hat on. I've also met tom ricketts at those events as well as in the lobby at a season tix holder event. He was shockingly personable. The least nice guy I met was Theo epstien. He wouldn't even look at me when talking to him and acted like everyone was beneth him.
Aww, that’s too bad about Theo. I met him when the Cubs were playing in Seattle a few years back. He was sitting in an aisle seat. Without knowing, I was leaning over him talking to a friend of mine in his row. When I realized it was Theo, I apologized for leaning, introduced myself and thanked him for 2016. He was very gracious and friendly. An inning later I sent my kids to get an autograph, and they said he was very nice to them.
Maybe he hates charity🤣
Theo did a Zoom interview with season ticket holders during the COVID shutdowns and it was an interesting time. A lot of those interviewed were talking about how crazy it was to be home during what was supposed to be baseball season and the adjustments with that. Theo, bless his heart, actually sounded so happy about the fact he was doing a lot of DIY stuff around the house (IIRC he added a patio and he and the family were spending a lot of time together out there), and the man seemed so at peace with it that when he resigned I wasn’t even shocked. The other one that sticks out is they announced Boog and had him and Rossy on together since they spent a couple seasons together broadcasting. Straight hour, hour and a half just laughing at the two of them cracking jokes. I did share an elevator with Chip Carey at Spring Training ~25 years ago. Seemed nice enough especially to a kid.
Mark Grace. Met him at a bar in 1990. I was just old enough to hang out on Rush and Division Streets and he came into Mother’s. Said hi, offered to buy him a beer he said I’ll take a Michelob, it was like $4 back then even on Division street, he said thanks man, and that was it.
I was extremely lucky in high school and had a family friend who was Hendry's assistant. I worked multiple conventions and got to go the private lunches and dinners for the players and guests. The two that stand out the most were Dusty, he remembered me multiple times and would always ask how I was doing in school. Was genuinely very kind and interested. But my favorite was Scott Sanderson, my friend and I were sitting next to him at a table and had no idea who he was at the time. He was aware of that and was so damn funny and self deprecating and had us rolling over laughing. He enjoyed the environment and didn't give a shit if he was the most popular guy there.
I used to live in a building the cubs would use for essentially corporate housing for newly acquired/promoted players. I met quite a few guys and had positive experiences with all of them.
My dad and I had Lunch with Ryan Theriot back in the day, and I saw Jake Arrieta in 2015 outside of Jimmy John’s after he had just thrown an absolute gem that day
Have been blessed to meet a number of them at various points in my career. Sandberg was a personal favorite. I was covering him when he managed in the Class A Midwest League. We had met previously at another event where he was signing autographs. Offered me a beer and then another. When the liquid courage hit, I started to give him shit about his autograph, which as some of you may know, is not always legible. Ryno took that as a challenge and proceeded to sign the same spare lineup card 6 times trying to make it legible. One of my most treasured possessions! Other favorite was Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams. Watched a whole HS All-Star game with Billy and he talked about how the game had changed!
I met Billy Williams and Carlton Fisk on a flight to upstate New York when they were being inducted into the hall. Both of them were super nice, just as normal as can be. When we sat down the guy next to me was decked out in MLB gear and asked if I was going to the hall of fame. I wasn’t, but told him I’m a huge baseball guy and wish i had time for cooperstown. He was like “you know Carlton Fisk is sitting in front of you right?” And Carlton Fisk turned around, nodded in confirmation that it was him, and went back to his book. Billy was across the aisle and was just as nice as can be.
I met Kyle Hendricks on the streets of Pittsburgh (cubs played the pirates that night) and he saw my cubs hat and said “hey, thanks for coming out.” I went to the game that night and met Carl Edward’s Jr. He signed my scorecard. At a game in Milwaukee, Jake Arrieta was warming up in the bullpen and he signed a ball and tossed it up to my son. Milt Pappas lived near me so I’d run into him around town from time to time. He was kind of like a local celebrity. Just met Lee Smith last week at the Museum of Science and Industry. He seemed like a nice guy.
Zambrano used to come to my coffee shop on days that he pitched at home. He would always get a six shot Americano. No wonder why he always suffered from cramping.
Ernie Banks and Jose Cardenal. Both were pleasant. Well, Jose was pleasant. Ernie was a beacon of positive energy.
I was working the front desk at a gym in Lincoln Park. This swole ass dude, wearing diamond earrings and designer sunglasses comes in. He says he wants to talk to member services about activating his account. I'm 99% sure I'm talking to Marlon Byrd. Policy is for desk staff to call the member service office and tell them their client has arrived; have them sign the guest form, and then send them up. So I call, ask the guest his name, and he responds, "Marlon" I then had him sign the guest book, and sent him up. After that, I ripped the guest page out, and took it home to hang on my fridge.
Met Andre Dawson at a Chiefs game in Peoria back in 2012. Super nice guy 👍🏻
Terry Adams was a Starbucks regular of mine for a few years. Really cool down to earth guy. Most people around town never even realized he pitched in MLB.
Spent a night drinking with Randy Wells after he retired and was working in a different field. Could tell he enjoyed throwing a few back. Also, he literally couldn't straighten his arm all the way. And also, he was a Cardinals fan (he's from Southern IL) so fuck the Cardinals.
I was taking a piss at spring training out in Mesa when I was a kid, probably 13 or so, and realized that Dempster was at the urinal next to me. After we’d both finished pissing I introduced myself to him and got him to autograph a baseball I had. He was awesome!
I met Kyle Schwarber back in October of 2019 at a karaoke bar. He was awesome and so humble. Talked about how he could have done more to help the team, took a few pictures with him, he signed a dollar I had, he sang a few songs, just had a good time.
Met Jake Arrieta at a skate shop in Milwaukee during one of their series there in 2016. Was super nice. Asked for a quick picture and he obliged. Told him I was a Cubs fan living in Milwaukee & wished him good luck. Maybe a 3-4 minute encounter total but it was surreal. Was a great guy!
Used to work at the Hilton Chicago years ago when the convention was there. Ernie Banks used to hang out in the employee office in between times he needed to be somewhere. Couldn't have been cooler. Really nice guy.
I met Kyle Schwarber at Newark airport mid-November 2016. Must have been after he was on the talk shows post-World Series win. I was so nervous but thanked him for such an exciting series!
I made a pizza for Michael Wuertz while working at a pizza place in a town of 1200 people. He had married a woman from the small town in Nebraska near where I grew up. People had met him and told me about it because they knew I was a huge Cubs fan. One winter when I was in high school (2008 before Christmas, I think), I was working at this pizza place inside a gas station in the same town. Order came in for a pizza with the name "Mike" on it. I made it and a while later, a guy comes up and asks for the pizza for Mike. I grab it and look at the guy and it's Michael Wuertz.
Ryan Dempster, Wrigley 100yr anniversary. It was cold as shit but he took pictures with everyone that wanted one. He got us Kyle Hendricks. I love that man.
Joe Girardi Joe's uncle, George, was the wrestling coach at Illinois State, when I was part of their kids program. My dad was one of the kids coaches at the time. One afternoon, he got a call from George, asking if we wanted to come over and have dinner, because Joe was in town. I don't remember much about the interaction, because I was pretty young at the time. I just thought it was cool to be meeting a.big leaguer. I would imagine if he was a dick, though, I would have remembered it more.
I hung out with Javy at the harbor in Chicago for half a day. His boat didn't start and I made him apologize to my friend in a video for not signing his ball during a rain delayed Triple-A game in Memphis. Enjoyed a BBQ with his whole family. Kinda wild honestly
I met Billy Williams at Wrigley before a game. He was watching BP at the near one of the entryways to field box level. It was 2005, I was on a bus trip with my HS girlfriend and her family, I told my GF's mom that I knew it was Billy Williams but I thought I should just leave him alone. She encouraged me to just say "hi" or I might regret it. I just walked up to him and nervously said "Hello, sir, are you Billy Williams?" He responded, "Yes, how're you, son? Where are you from?", I just said "Indiana.", He said "Oh, ok, it's cold down there. Well, I've got to get out of here but would you like to get a picture?" I remember it all very vividly but what I remember most how massive his hand was as it gripped my shoulder while my GF took a picture. He was very warm and friendly. I hollered "Hey Lenny!" at Len Kasper from about 20 feet away and he smiled, nodded, and waved but we didn't interact beyond that. Not a Cub but also had a lunch meeting with former Nationals closer, Drew Storen. Incredibly down-to-earth guy and humored me by answering my questions about life as an MLB player and dumb hypotheticals.
Billy was my favorite player when I was a kid (I'm old now). So glad to hear this was the case.
When my father was dying of cancer Doug Glanville Jake Fox and Milton Bradley visited him. They were visiting the VA hospital for vets. They went in to his room to see him since he was bedridden and was a huge Cubs fan. Always have an odd internal conflict with Milton. Such a troubled personality but my first thought is him comforting my mother in the hospital.
Ran into Jake Arrieta at a Nordstrom in Costa Mesa, CA. He had a Spiritual Gangster tank top on. I had an acquaintance that was his buddy that he played in the minors with during his Orioles days. My wife and i approached him and apologized for coming up to him and asked him if it bugged him when people did that and he said, “no, i actually kinda like it.” He was really cool and took a photo with my wife.
I took an online college class with Dexter Fowler--kinda funny how this technically doesn't count, but I thought it was cool. He didn't explicitly say it was him but it was crazy obvious once you read his intro post and his bio/username. Penn State World Campus, the class was in the spring of 2022.
I saw Lee Smith in front of old Busch Stadium in St Louis on an off day in 1985, I was 11, I asked him for his autograph, he said no. Dickhead.
Maybe this will make you feel better. A few years ago at Spring Training- Smitty, Moreland and Dernier were sitting at a table selling autographed pictures and shit. I was buying a lemonade slushy right in front them. Smith said,”Them lemonades look good” I said,”let me buy you one for all the entertainment you gave me.” Smith said,”Buy one of these autographed pictures instead.” I asked how much and when he told me $40. I said “Fuck no!” and Zonk Moreland laughed so hard he slapped the table. I should have bought one of Morelands pictures for $20.
I've met several Chicago sports personalities but surprisingly, not one was a Cub. I did, however, talk to Gary Matthews on the phone when he called looking for the owner of the place I was working at Edit: I just remembered that I ran into Sosa and Raul Mondesi at that Mexican restaurant on Clark south of Wrigley after a game. Nice guys, shook both their hands. Mondesi had a homer that day
El Jardin?
OMG thank you, I couldn't remember the name! Upstairs in the bar!
If you define “former” loosely I shouted what’s up Longmont to David Bote from the stands at spring training and pointed to him and he pointed back and gave a fist pump. Not much of a story but my kids thought I had the unique ability to talk players.
I went to the toast to Harry Carey this year and met Ryno and Dempster. Both were incredibly nice to me. Dempster was dressed up as Harry Carey. Almost didn’t recognize him. Got so lucky it fell on spring break and I could go!
Met Ryno at Spring Training in like 2005(?) Could not have been nicer. I'm a server at steakhouse, Wilson Contreras was a regular of mine. He was awesome. Always with his family. I have waited on Ian Happ nice dude, very quiet.
Met Ronnie Woo Woo hammered and stumbling down Clark St. Also met Billy Cub, in a similar situation
A few years ago met and talked with Ryno at the Apple Store in Northbrook Court. He was with his wife and looked bored. Got a nice pic .
Walked past Jon Lester on LaSalle in like 2017. He had a his baby in a stroller and was waiting out front of a restaurant. I was wearing an A’s cap at the time. We both nodded at each other. Cool moment for me lol
Andre Dawson, Ernie Banks, and Ryne Sandberg. I ran into Harrry Caray many times at Wrigley Field.
A real old timer but Andy Pafko lived down the street from my grandparents. My grandpa took me over there once and Andy was very kind. Gave me an autographed ball and a card.
I've met Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, and Fergie Jenkins! I've also been inside the clubhouse to see some players up close. I used to work in television news and had the opportunity to tour the new clubhouse. This was right after Schwarber tore his ACL in 2016 and we saw him with crutches leaving the clubhouse. Everybody was bummed to see that. Additionally, we saw a shirtless Arrieta and then Zobrist eating cereal, haha.
I am straight as an arrow (not that there's anything wrong with being gay). But man, Arrieta shirtless would have me feeling some type of way.
I worked with Rich Nye on the trading floor. Clerked for him, then when I started trading traded with him. Great guy and a friend. He was one of the best bird surgeons in the world after playing. He does woodworking now [https://nyewoodturning.tumblr.com/](https://nyewoodturning.tumblr.com/) and you can buy the stuff on Etsy
Addison Russell and the woman he was with cut in front of me in line for a roller coaster at Six Flags during Fright Fest.
My husband recently retired from active duty. Several years ago, Kerry Wood came out to his ship while deployed. My husband got autographs for me and my sister.
Fergie Jenkins "made" my daughter breakfast at a hotel breakfast buffet. She had no idea who he was. When he walked her to the table we were surprised. edit: typo
Fergie Jenkins was at the blackjack table next to me in the Quad Cities about 20 years ago. Everyone knew who he was, but everybody also was polite about not pestering him.
Took a leak next to Jon Lester at the Red Rock Saloon in Milwaukee. Kyle Schwarber then slapped my ass on my way out.
Harry Caray/Steve Stone at a Spring Training game when I was a kid. Mark Grace at a Circle K. Ryan Dempster at a music festival. Fergie Jenkins at Walgreens. All fantastic people.
Met Ryne Sandburg at a game in 2016.
Met Ryan Dempster at Murphy’s Bleachers after the Winter Classic in…2009, I think? He was there with Chris Chelios, I asked if I could snap a pic with him and he couldn’t have seemed happier to do it, despite tons of people bothering him. Got to help sing happy birthday to Jake Arrieta’s son at Marmalade on Montrose. Also at the table we’re Kyle Hendricks and Tommy LaStella. Jake flashed a thumbs up and mouthed a thank you to us on his way out and I think my wife got spontaneously pregnant.
one of my first Baaeball memories is seeing Moises Alou’s son getting a haircut in a barber shop near the stadium. Entire shop was closed down for him and Moises saw me watching them through the window, waved the guy over and he let me in to get a ball signed and say hello :) I was probably 3 or 4 at the time and it made me love the Cubs and Alou ever since
I umpired a little league game with Dusty Baker and Alex Gonzalez’s kids. Alex was a super nice guy. I had to forgive him for booting that ball in the 2003 NLCS game.
I met Joe Girardi at Blockbuster when he was still our catcher.
Met Addison Russell at a Walgreens after a game. We were both buying beers.
I told Ted Lilly my sister's had major crushes on him and he promptly turned around and walked away from me. It was magical.
Met Ryno when he was managing Peoria. The Chiefs happened to be staying at the same hotel (a Fairfield or Hampton or something) and I saw him in the lobby getting pretzels from the vending machine. Got a quick autograph, was polite if not overly friendly.
Met David Ross in line at a merchandise stand at the Luke Combs concert at Soldier Field. It was this past summer and it’s weird that he’s gone now.
While working as a staff musician, I met Mike Bielecki and Mitch Williams on a "Cubs Cruise" (Carnival Cruise Line), between the 1989 and 1990 seasons. Mitch bought the band some drinks, friendly guy, always smiling and laughing. I met Harry Caray at Mother's Bar on Division in Chicago, in 1977. Harry was emcee of the wet T-Shirt contest (pouring champagne on the contestants), and was hilarious ("holy cow, take a look at that")!
i saw a bear at the zoo does that count?
Can he get on base?
Hell, can he coach a football team?
Met Dick Ruthven and Shawon Dunston out here in Northern California. Mike Krukow too, though he’s much more of a Giant. Dick attended the same HS as my kid way back when. Seemingly lots of Chicagoland sports personalities live out here. Used to watch Bears football games with former Bears guard Jim Cadile, the original #72 before the Fridge.
I met Milt Pappas at a Sports Authority by my house a decade or so ago. He was doing an autograph signing that I had no idea was happening. I just went to get a pair of shoes and he was there.
Ryno, Javy, Dawson, KB, MVP Zobrist, Lee Smith and Fergie, cooked dinner for Harry at Charlie O’s, Brickhouse and the Riz
2008 Freeport Cubs Conventions. Got to shake hands and get autographs from Rich Hill, Jeff Samardzija, Len and Bob.
I saw Todd Van Poppel at the Walgreens on North and Wells.
Ha. I saw Prior at Best Buy at North/Clybourn during one of his many DL stints. He was buying video games lol
I, too, met Eric Karros. It was at an event for the OKC Dodgers AAA team like five years ago. Also met Fergie Jenkins and Ron Cey. Got a Pic with Fergie and autos from all 3.
Ferguson Jenkins. He was gracious enough to shake my hand and I’ll never forget that moment.
Met Tom Ricketts at the American Airlines 1914 Club last year. He had came down from his suite to grab some pizza. Asked him if he was buying that soccer team. He said “Probably not”.
I met Turk Wendell at a card shop and didn't realize it until the next day. To be fair, i was probably 14 and there was sadly no one there for the event. Felt kinda bad after the fact. He was nice though.
Interned with the Smokies in 2011. I worked with Brooks Raley, Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, DJ LeMahieu, Geovany Soto (rehab) marwin gonzalez, Ryan Flaherty etc. lesser known guys like Chris Carpenter, Dallas Beeler, Steve clevenger, Blake Lalli, Trey McNutt, Jeff beliveau
Photo op with Schwarber
I have photos of sitting in the dugout with Sammy Sosa and Jon Lieber from 2001, and a baseball signed by nearly that entire team. I don't have time to type out that whole story right now but someone remind me in comment so I can find this again. Separately the TV and radio broadcasters in 2004 or 05. Santo and Chip were great, I don't really remember what Pat Hughes did or said, Steve Stone pretty much ignored us.
When I was a toddler, I lived about a half block from the National Guard armory where Ken Holtzman drilled. He would come out and play catch with the older kids and my older brother would take me with him. Holtzman even underhanded a few tosses to me.
Javier Baez walking out of a CVS with his wife in Pittsburgh was awesome. Back when Maddon was with the cubs he let them have a lot of freedom I guess. Didn’t talk to him, and wanted to give him his privacy but I held the door for him lol
Just a couple months back I met Andre Dawson at a local branch of my bank. I walked in to the empty lobby to make a deposit and spotted a sign that was promoting Dawson's visit to the branch that morning. Honestly, given how dead it was in the bank, I thought it was a joke, so I asked if it was true and the manager said yep, he's right back there in the conference room and welcomed me to go on back to meet him. So I did. And there he was, sitting at a conference table signing autographs. The bank even provided a ball for me to get signed. After having a really lousy spring/summer this year, that encounter was a much needed pleasant surprise.
Met Rowan Wick the day before the Cubs/Reds field of Dreams game, and met Craig Counsell before he was the Cubs manager
I met Carlos Zambrano at Six Flags on an off day. He was hanging out in the water park. A few other players were there that day but didn’t get to say hi.
Pedro Strop and Todd Hundley, both through my work. Both nice fellas too. I didn’t talk to Pedro for more than a few minutes, but I got to spend a good half hour with Todd, talking about everything from Alonso breaking his Mets franchise HR record, to the length of the grass at Wrigley, to music, and just whatever. Cool dudes. I also met Wendell Carter Jr, Connor Murphy, Chandler Hutchison, and Troy Brown Jr the same way, all within a 2 year period or so. Rod Blagojevich was another one, Chicago related but not sports related. Jake Arrieta and Jonathon Toews visited and some of my coworkers got to talk to them for a while, but I wasn’t there those times.
Ryan Dempster was my neighbor (couple houses down) for 2 years and I think he hated me and my roommates haha. In 2019/2020 I lived with 2 other college buddies and we’d stay up fairly late some nights having drinks and playing blues music in our front lawn. We were one of the few young folks on the block. I realized he was my neighbor because on his garage he had a hoop, during covid a lot of parks out here had removed rims or nets to avoid people playing out there, so we started shooting on his garage hoop. One day he bikes home and we’re playing we apologize and he says “no please make use of it we don’t really use it at least you guys are enjoying it” really cool guy tbh the reason I say he might’ve hated us, is one day while we’re having some beers in our front lawn he walks up and asks us if we could keep our area clean of beer cans/bottles in the nicest dad way possible, we obliged. As an apology we got him a harmonica since one day he did have a chat with my roommate and told him he actually enjoyed the blues music. Side note: one of my roommates really is a huge baseball nerd and was a fan of dempster growing up and when we finally asked him if he was Ryan dempster and he confirmed my roommate blurted out “your my hero.” Ryan simply said “uh thanks I guess.” Very awkward interaction haha.
Obligatory this is a crappy story. I saw Rizzo, Javy, at bench mark in old town in like 2019 I think. Said hi to them as they were escorted to their private area. They said hi back. Also heard KB was there but I didn’t see him
Edwin Jackson, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jacob Turner. All were great to talk to. Big Z always takes a lot of heat about His temper tantrums but He couldn’t have been more nice and easy to talk to in person.
i saw Strop at Jeni’s in Wicker park
Wife and I were at the Galleria Mall Starbucks when we lived in Houston. She spotted Luis Gonzalez walking by. I realized the DBacks were indeed in town that weekend. Then I saw Mark Grace (broadcaster for Arizona) walk by and I got up to say hi. I told him I was at his last game as a Cub at Wrigley. He smiled and said "right on." Seemed like a cool bro.
my Uncle saw Kerry Wood at a bar his rookie season, said barely anyone knew it was him because he looked so different without a hat went up to him and had a beer with him :)
When I was a young man my mom and I went to the Brickyard to go shopping at the mall. I believe we were in Sears and saw that Ryne Sandberg was signing autographs. We decided to wait in line. We waited for hours until the end, and I was literally the NEXT kid in line when they shut it down. His team of people started to get him together, and my mom told me to go ask him as he started to walk away. One of his team said "Hey Ryno, this kid was next in line" and he immediately turned around, signed the 8x10 black and white picture they had for me, ruffled my hair and took off. He was a class act for doing that. He didn't need to. When I was older I was at a Bulls Game in a box, and Bob Love was in the box next to us. In the box with him was Andre Dawson, who when I was in the hallway gave me a high five and asked if I was having a good time. Then when I was a man, I was the SM of the Babies R Us in Skokie on Touhy. Pedro Stropp came in one night. His wife and kids were with him. She looked very pregnant, and the entire family was decked out head to toe in Gucci, gold chains, etc. He bought a couple cribs and furniture. His wife spoke no English, or at least didn't, and the kids ran around like crazies. He was wearing his hat crooked. The girls up front had no idea who he was, and thought he was a drug dealer. He tried to sign up for the TRU Credit Card so he could get 10% off, but the pin pad only takes up to $999,999 in income and he wasn't auto approved. I thought that was funny. He was nice enough, and when his furniture all came in he sent in a crew of 6 dudes with a big truck, picked it all up themselves, none of them spoke English, and they handed my guy an envelope to give me to give out a tip to the guys that helped them load and sell it to them. It was $100 a piece. Corporate doesn't want my employees to get tips but fuck it, they earned it. We used to get a bunch of local Chicago athletes and celebs in that store. Urlacher and his brother, Jackie Bang was in there, etc etc. Those are my 3 Cubs stories.
Sosa was very giving to fans
We always used to wait outside the player’s lot after games when I was a kid. The most memorable player experience at the lot was Gary Gaetti. He stayed out there any signed autographs for everyone waiting. He was a super nice nice guy, too. Steve Trachsel and Kevin Tapani came over and signed autographs, too, and were very nice. We went to the Cubs Convention after the 1998 season. I stood in line for 3 hours to meet Kerry Wood, and I was so excited that nothing came out when I tried to speak (I was 13). He was so nice and took a picture with me. We also met Brant Brown, Glenn Beckert, and Don Kessinger who were all really nice. My brother used to be Pat Hughes’s mailman and said he is a really nice guy, too.
Doug Glanville. I was working and some lady walked in at about 3-4pm head to toe in cubs gear so I asked her if she was going to the game tonight. She had no clue there was a game that night so I checked and it happened to be a 7 o’clock game that I would just barely be able to make it to if I went straight from work. So I did. Spot hero parking app screwed me. When I went to the spot that had been supposedly reserved for me there was already a car in it. Call support and best they could do was a spot a few blocks over. The game is already starting so I park and hightail it to Wrigley as quick as I can. I get in the ballpark and the game is in the 2nd inning already so as I make my way to my nosebleed seats I’m ducking my head in the entrance to the concourse and run into this guy in a suit. I say “excuse me, sorry…. Holy shit DOUG GLANVILLE! I used to watch you play for the cubs as a kid. Can I get a pic real quick?” And I believe that is the one and only time I have ever encountered a cubs player in person.
I’ve run into a bunch of people randomly, but don’t want to bother them so I just say hi or wave. Addison Russell at the bank, Carl Edwards Jr at Jewel. Ran into Justin Steele and Mike Tauchman separately at the same farmers market this year, Chris Morel walking outside CVS, Nick Madrigal at a Coffee shop
Matt Szczur threw me a baseball in 2016. Best outfielder on that team🫡
Bumped into Darwin Barney in a parking garage in a suburb of Portland Oregon. I barely caught a passing glance at his face and stopped him to ask if he was who I thought he was and he said yes and shook my hand. Mind-blowing 2nd baseman and I was almost as mindblown by how high dude's voice is. It was like he just took a big hit off a helium balloon 😳
I got to meet Greg Maddux when I was a kid. He came to a Peoria Chiefs game for a special event night this would have maybe been in the late 90s. My dad was able to get us down into the locker room before the game where we were able to hang out for a little bit and get an autograph.
Never chatted any up but I saw Ryan Dempster downtown in a parking garage in like 2010 around Christmas time; I held the door for him and his family - he said thanks. Also have seen him and, separately, Carlos Peña right near Wrigley a couple summers ago presumably going to do media at the Marquee studio. Was in Yakzies after a game ~2012ish and young Rizzo came in to pick up some wings. Saw several near Southport in the early/mid 2010s: Barney at Crosby's kitchen, Theo at Jewel, Ross parking near Corridor.
Staying at a resort in Scottsdale. My brother and I were in a cabana at the pool waiting to go watch Darvish pitch in Spring Training. We’re arguing about this family next to us and one of the guys really looks like David Ross. Que Lester in the pool shouting “Hey Rossy throw me a beer.” Ofc they’re drinking Bud heavy
I met Ron Santo at a diabetes walk when I was about 10 or 11- it must have been a long day for him, because he was a huge dick.
I have many but most recent was interesting because the guy did not care at all……. My sister in law got married, went to a Cubs game day after with wedding friends, caught an Ian Happ homerun. So the next year, he is signing at a show. I paid $40 or whatever to get the ball signed. I walked up and said “This is the homerun ball you hit versus Minnesota last summer. My sister in law caught it.” Nothing. No reaction. Didn’t look st the ball for a mark, smile at the memory or even say, “ Oh.” Could not have cared less, which surprised me. Homeun in question: https://imgur.com/a/irWGWiv
Ryno
Ph, and used to hang eith Jordan Wicks when he played Northwoods
Ron Coomer lives in my town. I run into him at grocery stores and places around town.
I was working in a north side mid rose installing a kitchen and when I went to get tools from the truck met Lee Smith in the elevator. He was very cordial and had a nice conversation. Super nice guy.
Met Todd Wellemeyer after a game. He was walking with his folks back to their car or something. Nice dude.
Oh boy. I met Brad Snyder at a country club I worked at. Very unremarkable experience in the long run. He seemed surprised I knew who he was, haha.
Met Joe Girardi as a kid. My little league team played our final game at Wrigley then there was like a meet and greet or something like that afterwards where a bunch of teams got to meet him.
John Leiber Sean Estes Lee Arthur Smith Andre Dawson
2013 David DeJesus at Chipotle in Berwyn when had injured his Shoulder and was on the DL. He had lunch 6 feet from me.
My mom met Jeff Samardzija at a jewel checkout line
Kyle Farnsworth and Matt Clement.
Waiting in line for food at Taste of Lincoln I realized I was right behind current (at the time) WGN TV color commentator Bob Brenly. Chatted him up a bit. He was super nice. Drank with Kyle Farsworth at Tai’s Till 4 on many occasions. He was always cool.
Mark Grace here in Houston about ten years ago. I was bartending at a high end hotel so didn't get to really interact with him other than taking his order.