A friend of mine in Richmond, VA is a serious autograph hound. He went up to a Nationals Game recently in DC. As with the case of "hounds", he went up a few hours before the game in hopes of getting players' "autos" (his lingo for autographs). He encountered Stephen Strasburg who was entering the stadium with his wife. The "hounds" clamored for Strasburg's auto. He just ignored them and kept walking. The hounds were close enough to hear Strasburg's wife ask why he wouldn't take a few minutes to sign autographs. To which he responded "I just don't feel like it today". Scheez! These guys are fans and he can't take a few minutes to sign?
This same friend went to see the Richmond, VA Double A team play the 'Sox counterpart Portland Sea Dogs. He was able to get Pitcher Casey Kelly's auto.
Last year, I went with him to a Nationals game and helped him. I was able to get the "autos" of LHP Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero. It was fun. But, I am not ready to declare myself a "hound".
I recall another young fireballing phenom, named Clemens, who had to bet shut down due to a forearm strain in his rookie year in '84. Rocket had gone 9-4 before getting shut down. In '85, he struggled with shoulder problems and had to have rotator cuff surgery only to have that phenomenal '86 season.
I hope things work out okay for Strasburg. Though he may have dissed the hounds and my friend that day, I hope his injury is not serious.
Strange as it may seem, I don't follow the Nats. I know, different league and the hometown team, but I just can't get excited about them. It's hard work being a fan and I cannot take on another team right now.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm a little surprise the Phenom is back on the DL. I really thought Nats management was going to handle him with kid gloves, be stingy with his pitch counts, and try to protect him better. I guess in the interest of winning, they rolled him out one too many times. Tito, I hope you're paying clost attention. This can happen to Bard if you're not more careful.
It looks like stardom's gone to the Phenom's head. You don't feel like signing today, pal? That's not the way to keep fans. If you're arm blows up, these people you snubbed will start kicking you. Papelbon's the same way. Everytime I've seen the Sox at Camden Yards and Pap's on his way in from shagging balls during BP, all the kids along the baseline seats shout and wave at him as he walks by. He never acknowledges them at all. In the words of John Lackey, "whatever!"
I wish I could be an auto hound. There's only 1 auto I want and I'm running out of chances to get it. The problem with getting autos is that in some instances, the guys won't sign for adults. They've seen grown ups push kids out of the way to get a signature. They know those same adults will put the signed item on eBay and make a little something off them. Me, I just want my fave's signature on a ball for me. Cal Ripken, Jr. was smart. He signed everything. Getting a Ripken item was fairly easy because there was a ton of stuff out there.