Brushing Shoulders With Baseball Players? [Stories, Soliloquies & Such]

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

He isn't in the MLB, but I played baseball and basketball against Chris "Cito" Culver. Yankees first round pick last year I think. Kid's a Grade A douche, but then again, I played for his rival school, so I'm a little biased, but I think most people that know him would agree, even if he did have a really tough childhood.

[Sportsforever]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

Didn't play myself, but here are the guys I know/have known:

- Jack Mitchell. A very good family friend who passed away last year at 82. He played minor league ball with some cups of coffee back in the 1940's/1950's. His highlight was hitting a triple off of Bob Feller in spring training. He was what you would call a 4A player...ripped up AAA, but never did much at the big league level.

- Pete Barry. My college coach...he was drafted out of University of San Francisco by the Dodgers and spent most of his time in the Minors. Got a cup of coffee at one point.

- Chris Denorfia. Played against him in college and he now plays with the Pads. Drafted by the Reds out of college and has gone from Cincy, to Oakland, to San Diego.

- Jason Zuminski. Drafted by the Cubs and ended up playing a few seasons out of their bullpen (he got lit up). I actually singled off of him in my only at bat against him in college (solid line drive to left). I have told my wife I should go down in the books as 1-1 off of Major League pitching!

- My uncle. Played at Wheaton College in Illinois back in the 1970's and was a stud there (they were a powerhouse at their level then). He was given an invite to Dodgers spring training on a minor league contract. Quit mid-way through the first season as he decided the life style wasn't what he wanted.

[12]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

I am buddies with Ryan Doumit (Pirates' C and OF).

I played basketball against Travis Buck (Oakland A's).

I am also friends with a few guys who were drafted but never made the bigs.

[Antec]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

George Bell (Jays). Met him when I was very young and see him pretty much every year. 1st name basis.

[rsox]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

A former co-worker's son used to be coached by Craig Grebeck (IF with CWS/Ana/Tor/Fla) and his brother. Met him once, nice guy.

[DrJones]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

Jeff Francis is a family friend of my roommate's. Got an autographed SI cover from the 2007 playoffs.

Met a bunch of players through work (EA), including Ernie Banks and Yogi Berra. Not to mention Ozzie Canseco!

Once shared a laugh with Luis Gonzalez and Jeff Bagwell over what a dick Trevor Hoffman is.

Had a 20-minute conversation with a very drunk (out of costume) Bernie Brewer.

Worked with Buck Martinez several times in the early 2000's. Great guy.

Shook Kenny Lofton's hand after hearing him utter one of the 10 funniest (and most awesome/inappropriate) lines I've ever heard.

Played several seasons in LF for the Giants...from a certain point of view.

[travis72]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

Forgot to mention in my earlier post. While I don't personally know him my wife cuts Jeff Samardjia(spelled incorrectly I think) uncle's families hair. I think my wife has met him before also.

[Mr5000]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

I worked in the same office with Tony Womack's brother when I served in the Army.

[WazzuRC]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

I fed popcorn into A-Rod's mouth once.

[MichaelCook17]

A few of my coaches played big league ball, nothing too exciting. My old hitting coach topped out in AAA. I know a few people in the minors currently.

[Steelersfan85]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

I worked as a batboy for a AAA team the last few years and have met several major leagues and numerous minor league players.

[Rod_Carew29]

Re: Dunston, Vaughn and Franco

Shawon Dunston...we lived in the same area of Brooklyn (East New York, Brooklyn)...funny thing was, when he was like 10-12, he his older brother and some of his friends would play me and friends basketball at the park. I didn NOT know him even close to well, at the time. He was a pip-squeak (LOL), and would recklessly hack anyone who had the ball...didnt find out until just before he was drafted, that THAT guy who was about to be drafted by the Cubs, was the SAME guy I played against years before LOL

Mo Vaughn: while here in NY with the Mets, I met him in a local pizza shop one October afternoon...the most friendliest and coolest guy

John Franco: he lives in this neighborhood I'm in...back in 2009 while coming home from work, I saw him sitting on a bench while his daughter was playing nearby. I approached him, introduced myself and we had a nice chat for about 20 minutes....and I brought up Shawon Dunston to him...he laughed

I saw him last month one dy as I was leaving my building. We waved and went on about our way...

[HARLEE23]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

Brandon Webb, from my town, and I know all the Reds players, like I have Brandon Phillips phone number in my phone, I was hoping Webb would have went to the Reds but oh well.

[yanksrule4ever]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

My family was friends with Chad Curtis before he moved down south. His kids used to go to my school.

[kehlis]

Re: do you know any one who plays or who has played in the mlb

Not really, but does it count that I was playing first when Landon Powell (A's backup catcher) hit an absolute bomb off our pitcher?

I also doubled off Gavin Floyd, I will admit, it was an outside fastball that I threw my bat at and was lucky enough to have it stay fair down the line...

I've met many players over time but none I would say I "knew". My uncle is the radio broadcaster for the Iowa Cubs (AAA) so I met several players in passing through him, but nothing more than that.