Baseball - 1999. beered up to walk up
Roger Clemens at a Tampa watering hole during spring training. It was his first season as a Yankee. I asked him what it felt like playing for NYY after being a BOS. He said the whole archenemy thing was mostly media manufactured. Same night same place I walked up to
Paul O'Neill. Asked him about the Final Four, which was imminent. He said, "Well I am an Ohio State grad so, you know."
Football - 1985. NYC restaurant bathroom greet with
Harry Carson. Merely introduced myself as I giggled in awe. He was just room-filling, so huge. Said "Enjoy the brunch, it's gigantic here." Yeah, I understood.
Bowling - 1978. Was a pretty good bowler in those days. Bowled in the amateur event that was part of the tour's stop in Windsor Locks. Every amateur was paired up with a pro. Mine: the great
Earl Anthony. He was cool and quiet but did say "nice ball" once. Gosh. Up close with a legend. Yes, he beat me pretty good.
Basketball - Can we count the countless moments shared with UConn greats at Final Fours? Best guy to talk with:
Boo Willingham.
Hockey - 1987. Season tickets for the Whalers. While guys like Chris Kotsopolous and Ulfie Samuelsson were infamous for their late nights in the city (Hartford was alive then, believe it) I met family man
Kevin Dineen at a Farmington restaurant. Our table invited him for a drink and he shared half a beer with us. Once he realized one of my buddies was Irish it was like they were brothers.
Hollywood - 1996. Well, New Haven. Didn't quite meet him but was at a restaurant before a play. Mesmerizing while holding court at a table for twelve was
Roddy McDowall. Who doesn't dream of watching a sotted actor telling stories about his stories.