Sports figures you have met.

[LAWeaver]

Kevin Harvick - Met Kevin just over 10 years ago when I was 8. He was in town as a part of a yearly meet-and-greet hosted by the local NBC affiliate. Lots of Domino's pizza, free hats, a small cardboard cutout, etc. Really cool. I asked him his opinion on Tony Stewart (wasn't a Stewart fan at the time and was not aware of their friendship) and who his biggest rival was, in which he said Scott Riggs, who tried to punch his wife if I remember correctly.

 

David Ragan - Toured the multiple NASCAR facilities while on vacation about two years ago, including Michael Waltrip Racing just weeks before announcing their closing. Saw David from the catwalk in the shop, yelled Hi, and he chatted with us for a little bit. Really nice guy. 

[FiddySicks]

My mom reminded me of one earlier today that I had totally forgot about. 

 

I played Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball with the daughter of former major leaguer Dave Kingman. One of the most insufferable jackasses I have ever had the displeasure of being around, and I was only a young teenager at the time. Barely knew who he was at the time, apparently he could hit the cover off of a ball. 

[2001mark]

Mike Gartner used to buy a lot of stuff at the Home Depot I p/t'd a good 15yrs ago or so, I surely helped him a few couple times.  He's a good decent guy, & all those goals + '87 Canada Cup team isn't nothing.  

 

I chatted up Gregg Zaun, with Sportsnet's Jamie Campbell, before a Jays game one night.  They do live desk show pre, during, & post home games from the 200 LF concourse.  It was 2010, a few months after my trip to the Vancouver Olympics & I actually wanted to meet & congratulate Campbell on his historic call of the first Canadian gold medal on home soil.  Zaun seemed eager to chat about anything, & Campbell was real down to earth, neighbourly.  For pretty much any/every Jays home game, early in the evening right when the gates open, I'm sure anyone could have the same quick powwow with the duo.

 

(Couple missed opportunites for me was the same Vancouver games, Mark Tewksbury walking past our arrived planeload at YVR, I could've said hello yet he seemed zoned in with a semi rushed gait.  He was Canada's chef de mission & probably leaving town for a bit after the games' opening wkend.  During intermission of Norway v Canada I was at, Gretzky began signing anything/everything from his box... I hesitated because of a big line, finally figured I could get my game ticket signed, only to have RCMP shut the line down within 2-3 more ppl in front of me lols - though in hindsight with my ticket framed, I figure its story is best remembered for my own experience there rather than some random, fleeting, Gretzky signed memorabilia)  On the tarmac at YVR we saw Air Force One preparing to depart with VP Joe Biden who was in town for the opening ceremony.