My experience with pro ballplayers.

by mrod on Jun 27, 2005 10:49 AM PDT

Howdy A's diehards. Aside from the whooping we put on the Giants over the weekend, I'd like to share an experience I had on Saturday evening, as part of hosting a birthday party for Giants outfielder Michael Tucker.

I was hired to be a poker dealer at Michael Tucker's birthday party, which was arranged by his wife, Dee,(a real sweetheart of a person) at The ACME Chophouse, in the private, "The Willy Mays Room".

Of course I was not sure what to expect from a bunch of professional athletes and was on my guard to just act professional in any case. As it turns out, the majority of the guys I met were real gentleman and very good natured. And, yes, they love top party! Among the players present were Tucker, Moises Alou, Ray Durham, Scott Eyre, Jason Ellison, Jeff Fassero, Jesse Foppert, Lance Niekro, Devi Cruz, and Todd Linden. I had previously met Ray Durham on my birthday a few years ago, even getting him to take a photo with me. Super nice guy and still is.

So, I'm not sure if anyone out in the Nation has had a similar experince but if you have I'd like to know and perhaps you could share here as I have. By the way, Fassero was the big winner and the best tipper. Go A's!

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So that explains

The whooping they received on Sunday... they were all hung over! You did your part, mrod, making sure they had good enough time so the A's could trounce them the following day!

by OaktownTribesman on Jun 27, 2005 12:21 PM PDT reply actions

A's spring training hotel

Is a good place to see/meet players and coaches. I've stayed there a couple times during the Cactus League play, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of the coolest things I saw there was Tim Hudson hanging out at the pool with his family. He and his little daughter were like a Hallmark card they were so cute, and it took all my willpower not to grin and gape at them while they were cavorting in the water.

That same year, we also met and hung out with Miggy. He is absolutely delightful -- friendly, down-to-earth, funny, and kind. It was his last spring with the A's, right after the MVP win and right before the no-contract announcement, but he was just a regular guy, nothing super-star about him. He was so proud to show us pictures of his kids and explain how they'd been born on the same day (and they're not twins...trippy); and he was equally as proud when his non-binlingual brother managed to chat a few words of English with us. At one point some kids came up to him and were asking him questions, and the one I remember most clearly was how he felt about signing autographs for people. His reply was that the only thing he didn't like about it is the impossiblity of giving one to everyone who wants one. He went on to say that it's part of his job as a ballplayer, and that he loves his job so much that he's happy to be thinking about it all the time, even when he's not on the field. Total class act...especially compared to that other MVP across the Bay. Whereas BB seems to feel entitled to super-stardom and shuns the parts he finds distasteful, Miggy is so utterly grateful for the life he has that it's imposslbe not to be inspired by him.

by sarajune13 on Jun 27, 2005 2:40 PM PDT reply actions

Just what? Exactly? Did you slip them mrod?

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jun 27, 2005 3:14 PM PDT reply actions

I didn't have to slip them anything

That's what happens when you stay out till 2 or three in the morning, and your wake up call for the game is at nine o'clock. It was pretty cool though. Next time I want to do it with some A's players. I'll see what I can do.(Wink Wink!)

by mrod on Jun 27, 2005 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Fassero? Who'd a thunk?

I've got several juicy stories about ballplayers, but they've all been posted at TalesoftheCougar.com, and I don't have rights to reprint.

"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jun 27, 2005 4:52 PM PDT reply actions

Craig Lefferts

Yeah yeah, ex-Giant, but a heck of a nice guy, and very amenable in his current job as Vancouver Canadians pitching coach. Likes to chat to the fans, has a brood of kids who come to the games and chat with the locals, and he quite enjoys buying sneaky 50/50 tickets during the seventh inning stretch.

Doing a great job too.

by Ozzz on Jun 27, 2005 5:47 PM PDT reply actions