Has anyone ever met a player in person?
That’s a dope story. Zac seems like such a down to earth guy.
That is so awesome. He seems like such a cool guy
I thought for sure this was going to turn into copypasta
lol same
I’m still not convinced it isn’t holy hell lol maybe it needs to be a new one? But had a real origin? Lol idk
Haha, no it definitely happened to me. It was at Trevor's off of Scottsdale road by the 101
Zac is an all time good dude, I had a shot with him at the LuxForeGolf tourney a couple of years ago, and we sat and talked for about 10 minutes. Super down to earth, just one of the guys!
Awesome story … but what did he buy?
I didn't see exactly but I saw him looking at some tequila lol
I met Alek Thomas and Jordan Lawlar a few weeks ago at Talking Stick Resort at a blackjack table. They were polite, regular dudes. They drank water and they tipped. They didn't bet a lot, just a couple dudes having fun on a day off.
Think they met Trevor?
I had a few beers with Ryne Nelson for like 3 hours at an airport bar. Both our flights were delayed. Talked about him going back to Oregon to meet up with baseball buddies, how he has been with his girlfriend for a long time, a lot of ball and his experience so far, and other typical things. Honestly didn’t know he was a player for the Dbacks until like an hour into the convo! Just a regular dude. Great guy!
Last Friday I had an interaction with Geno. He was walking to the batting cages, we made eye contact, I smiled at him and said Geno!, he smiled back and gave me a head nod.
Then a few mins later he came out on the field to bat and I was sitting pretty close . He was looking out into the crowd, I waved and yelled Genitoooo! (spanish nickname). He gave me a point and a smile. I got a wave out of Lourdes a couple mins later when I yelled Yunitooo!, which is his spanish nickname.
Not exactly meeting, but it was a couple of cool interactions. I've been in the presence of a handful of our current-era players and Lourdes, Geno, Jace, Pavin, Corbin, Jake, and Carson have been the most receptive to an interaction with a fan. Not to knock on the other guys, because I know they're just focused.
Met Randy at a Megadeth concert where he was taking photos and Gonzo shopped at the Costco I worked at in PV both super nice guys
When I was a kid, 15-16, I met Randy Johnson at the Goodguys car show in Scottsdale. He was standing right behind me in the ticket line with my dad. My dad noticed him and tapped my shoulder and pointed behind him. I turned around and was shook. 😂 Randy noticed and said Hi. I said I was a big fan, yada yada, and he shook my hand and said thanks and asked what cars I was hoping to see inside. I said a '67 Vette and he smirked and said "good choice". Staff noticed and quickly escorted him through the gate and I remember him saying "I haven't got my tickets yet!"
OP thinks baseball players are rare Pokémon lol
“ A Wild Corb Appeared!”
I’ve always thought Mantiply sounded like a Pokemon
Damn it would be like a dugtrio but of manta rays
Same!!
Not sure if it was him 100% bc he had his glasses off, but I'm 90% sure I saw Zac Gallen after a spring training game in scottsdale. He had a bad day and then went to target and got some orange slices and ate them outside at the table
I'm a pool guy that used to live in AZ and have had a good handful of players as customers. I also took care of Paul Westfalls pool for years.
i’m sure someone has
I met Sewald before Game 4 of the Phillies series
I also met Gallen after a Sunday game at 5 Guys
Sewald a slide guy or more of a seesaw dude?
Definitely slide
👍🏻
Won a giveaway and got to play top golf with AJ Pollock.
Met Randy Johnson at HS Tennis States. His daughter was a player.
Met Luis Gonzalez at Schnepf Farms when I was a little kid.
Passed ways with Miguel Montero on an empty walkway at Sky Harbor one time. I said, "what's up Miggy?" Held out his hand and gave me and gave me a, "sup you good?" like he knew me.
I did work for Archie Bradley a couple times. He was pretty cool. Met a couple other pitchers at his house. He signed a ball for me. Also Mark Grace in 03/04. He was a regular at the car wash I worked at.
I saw Archie a couple months ago at the Wynn in Vegas but didn’t get to meet him
Ive met Goldshmidt and Gonzo. I was surprised with Goldschmidt in not knowing who he was until he turned to me. Dude is charismatic af and funny. Makes sense since first baseman talk a lot to other players.
Gonzo was such a laid back guy. And you could tell he can handle being the go to dbacks player that fans want to flock to.
I missed mark grace by 10 minutes at my work and I was bummed.
Bonus points: king felix is pretty awesome
I managed a restaurant for several years near SRF/Dbacks training/sports medicine facilities.
Some memorable Dbacks encounters:
Randy Johnson, as anyone else will tell you, is borderline rude, but it was still cool when he came in. One time he came in right behind Larry Fitzgerald. It was chaos.
Ender Inciarte was a regular and was maybe the kindest player I’ve ever seen to fans and my employees. He learned several of their names and would always greet them and chat when he’d come to eat. He became kinda close with one crew member in particular and Ender set him up with tickets to a game one time.
During Spring Training the team would order catering from us about once a week for the team after their game. One year they sent Goldy to pick up every week. He didn’t have to, but always gave the team a fat tip.
One year of catering for Spring Training, they gave us a baseball signed by a bunch of the players (albeit I think all minor leaguers haha) circa 2015. I still have the ball, now I’m curious who signed and went on to play for the majors.
Gonzo and Derrick Hall came in once in a while and always together, and are goofballs. One time they held up service because they were giggling so hard.
Jake Lamb came in constantly and always ate way more than his size would suggest, and always alone. Couldn’t stop half my employees from trying to hit on him, but was always so shy.
Josh Collmenter came in almost daily and I can still recite his order and ate like a pig. He sat at the same spot every time and would stare out the window while he ate.
I knew Chris Young as an acquaintance as we had mutual friends. Cool guy, glad to see he got into broadcasting.
Couldn’t stop half my employees from hitting on him
Honestly, can’t blame them lmao
Also Randy Johnson is borderline deaf and doesn't really hear any soft spoken conversations, so it seems like he's ignoring people when just doesn't hear them. Probably worse in noisy environments.
As a kid, I lived two blocks down from Gonzo. He signed a ball for me and always gave away king sized candy bars at Halloween.
Oh shit. Not gonna say anything revealing but we grew up very close to each other lol.
There’s been a few comments on here about the the little league at Cocopah where I was like, “oh I bet I know them,” but have thought better of asking 😂
Met Gonzo post retirement at a soup kitchen prepping and serving thanksgiving dinner. He signed a ball for me. There was a giant dude with him that I figured was an NFL player. I don't follow football so I asked him what team he played for. He said "I'm just a family friend". It clicked later that he was hired muscled/body guard.
I saw Mark Grace at sky harbor shortly after dui two or three. I started to walk towards him, but he clearly communicated without speaking that he was not in the mood to chit chat.
I met Zac at Undefeated, gave him a fist bump and asked him how he was feeling cause I think he was injured at the time. Super nice guy, I didn’t ask for a photo cause I was too embarrassed to but I’m sure he wouldn’t have said no
Very first time was when I was a young lad, Tony Gwynn during spring training was in the old Sports Authority by Arrowhead Mall, he was buying bats to gift and sign for an event. I met Randy Johnson on deployment when he was on a USO tour with some actors. I’m in WA state now, Kyle Seager came into my work during his last year as a Mariner. Saw Jay Buhner many times through a friend that did some work for him.
My great uncle used to play for the Angels in the 90s. So quite a few times
Jordan Lawlar. He was very nice.
Met Castro in May. Asked him if he was Castro, he said yeah. Said it was nice to meet him and look forward to his return. Nice dude. Super tall.
Yes. Randy Johnson several times. He’s an absolute piece of shit when it comes to interacting with fans. Gonzo on the other hand is a great guy, and didn’t mind me asking him for a quick photo. Adam Jones was a member at my golf club during his stint as a D-Back, I had quite a few interactions with him and he was always a pleasure.
Yep Randy Johnson at an Office Depot in Scottsdale. He was making a big deal about calendars being 18 months instead of 12 months. It was April.
That’s funny. I see him quite often at the grocery store as we live in the same neighborhood. The funniest part is that he drives a mini cooper.
I can’t explain why but that checks. RJ gives mini cooper vibes.
Many on the 2001 World Series team. I have two baseballs signed with their autographs! The only one off the top of my head I don’t have is Damian Miller.
Cool! Did you ever meet Damian Miller? Oh...nevermind.
Thanks for making me laugh 😂
Brandon Webb said Damian got really sick a few years ago (I believe he said pre covid) and went off the grid and no one has really talked to him. Hope he’s okay
That’s not good to hear. I hope he’s okay too.
I met Justin Upton once on the golf course. It was after his dbacks days but he was one of my favorite players to watch growing up.
Not any of the recent players because I live out of state now, but growing up I played in the same little league as Randy Johnson and Matt Grace’s kids so I met both of them once or twice. I was 2 years ahead of the Gonzalez triplets and my sister was friends with the two girls early on so I have met him on a few occasions as well, though never more than a “Hi how’s it going” cause I was never friends with Jacob.
I did have the very good fortune to have been coached by Tim Salmon in little league though. He’s definitely a lot less well known around Phoenix/Scottsdale since he played for the Angels, but he coached me for two years in a row so that was awesome. I still see him from time to time when I go back home because my mom keeps in touch with his wife.
My buddy was once in an elevator with Tommy Pham. Tommy was looking at chicks on Insta and my homie called out a chicks butt as being hot. Tommy turned around and agreed. They fist bumped over the mutual agreement of nice butts.
Copypasta?
I wish! This really happened on last years season ticket holder trip to Chicago / Wrigley.
Nice
Someone posted about Ketel eating a meal at their restaurant sometime last year
I think the sub was not too happy with what he wrote (i forgot the exact details)
I saw Ketel Marte at a grocery store in Mesa yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?” I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electrical infetterence,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.
No one is going to believe me, but I have a friend whose brother's coworker briefly dated Ketel Marte. She said that on their first date they went to a restaurant and Ketel Marte ordered two different bowls of soup and mixed them together one spoonful at a time before eating both bowls mixed together as one soup
God he’s the best
This story again? Last I read it was another celeb
He’s always seemed like he has an attitude to me lol
It’s not a real story, that exact paragraph has been used to describe just about any celebrity you’ve ever heard of. You can Google it.
Brandon Webb! Awesome guy
Randy Johnson, really nice dude. Backstage at a Soulfly show in Tucson. And Tim Lincecum at Oregano’s.
I also ran into Randy at a soulfly show lol
I went to Jose Valverdes house. I’ve met Randy Johnson and Gonzo. And at the Advantage Member fan fest earlier this year got to chat with a few of them. My dad was trying to take a picture of Gallen, he noticed and told him “why don’t you get in the picture with me?” Super cool dude
I met Ryan Thompson and JMart a few weeks ago, it was my birthday and a sports shop in the Arrowhead Mall was doing signings and pictures, both super cool dudes, Ryan was all smiles and learning everyone's name and JMart asked to wear my hat in the pictures!
Yes, I’ve met quite a few. My husband does private signings. But I’ve met a few just at random as well
I met Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson, Goldschmidt, Ian Kennedy, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jermaine dye all at work. The only people I said what’s up to were Kennedy and dye, the rest I pretended I didn’t know/was too nervous to think of anything
Richie Sexson and Willie Bloomquist when I still lived in Washington. It was after Richie had retired and was hanging out with his friends who were regulars at the golf course I worked at. Willie was in town on an off day and I ended up at the local dive bar with them drinking beers, sharing garlic fries and talking baseball. Both were really down to earth and took turns talking each other up while the other was away from the table.
Nick Ahmed trained in my middle of nowhere hometown in western Massachusetts. Before I moved to AZ he came in to the restaurant I worked at regularly. Only knew it was him because the other cooks went to school with his older brother.
At the time I didn’t know I was going to move to AZ and become a dbacks fan though.
Gonzo came to my elementary school in '01. He lived in the neighborhood. He gave a little speech and sat down to sign autographs directly across the table from me while I was eating my lunch. So lil jit me got to chat with Gonzo face to face while he signed hundreds of autographs. Didn't even ask him for one, but I didn't care. He was so nice.
I met Edwin Jackson the other day at work
I've met a few:
- My dad did IT work for Mike Fetters from the 2001 World Series team. They were making small talk and I came up in the conversation (I was 6 or 7 at the time). I got invited to tour the clubhouse, meet a few players and hold a World Series ring. As I was leaving I was given a broken game bat and a ball to get autographed. We were playing the Cubs that night, so aside from the handful of D-Backs autographs I got, I also got to meet Don Baylor and Sammy Sosa.
- Growing up playing baseball, one of the teams we played against was coached by Curt Schilling (his son was pitching for them). A group of us tried getting an autograph before the game and he blew us off because he "had to get prepped for the game" - valid. During the game we absolutely raked off his son, and when we tried to get autographs after the game he was PISSED. He pulled his team off the field and left without even the traditional "good game" high-fives at the end.
- This season, I went to the game on opening weekend when they passed out the NL Champions rings. I was seated right behind home in the lettered sections and went to the special bar underneath. I was watching some March Madness games waiting for my beer and Longo walked up with his son. We chatted about the tournament for a few minutes and they went on their way. If you didn't know what he looked like, you wouldn't have guessed he was a former (and 3 time all-star) player - very down to Earth and chill guy.
Met Kevin Ginkel at a Cox meet and greet in Tempe a few weeks ago, he was pretty chill and met Merrill Kelly at Guy Fieri’s right by Chase Field at a team sanctioned watch party. Merrill is incredibly nice in person as well
Yes
Met Eduardo Escobar and Randy Johnson during school events (not the same event), Josh rojas, Vargas and Andy young during fan fest a couple years back
Filmed a commercial with Miguel Montero
My dad claims to have seen Gonzo in a gift shop at one of the Disneyland hotels. This would have been holiday 2001 or a year after. He said he kept his distance and didn't want to bother him.
This was at least 17-18 years ago but I once handed Alex Cintron his breakfast order when I was a manager at a McDonald's. I handed him his bag, shook his hand, and went on to the next order.
I've met a few...
Brandon McCarthy, Miggy Montero, Jake Lamb, Nick Ahmed off the top of my head.
Last September I was at the Scottsdale fashion square mall on an off day before they played the Giants at home. I saw Wilmer Flores (Giants) outside Lulu lemon and saw high. On the third floor which is more random and not at nice I saw Corbin Carrol sitting by himself on his cell phone outside of a foot locker. I said hi and at first I was like, “wait is that a high school fan?” But then said good luck the rest of the season a second later and he looked up and said thanks, appreciate it.
I ran into Mark Grace and Gonzo while getting a tour of the facility as a kid. Also ran into Goldschmidt while I was at Schnepf Farms one year. I don’t know if that was a paid appearance or just a family outing, but he was talking to a bunch of kids and his wife was with him. I also worked for Archie Bradley’s uncle, supposedly. He showed me pictures of him as a kid, but I’m a horrible judge of looks and the man was an older gentleman.
Randy Johnson was a photographer at an off road short course race at Firebird. I guarantee 99.9% of the people there didn’t know who he was nor cared. I was walking towards him, made eye contact and said “Whoa the Big Unit”. He immediately turned and quickly walked into an RV. I was the only one around him and it left me with a WTF…but heard he’s not an approachable guy.
Met Gonzo at Willie’s Tacos on an off day. Super nice guy. Talked for about 5 minutes, thanked me for being a fan.
Met Tony Gwynn several times as a kid in Yuma (Padres spring trained there prior to the move to Peoria). Super nice guy and I’ve got several signed baseballs.
Met Dustin Pedroia at a sandwich shop in Boston. Gave him the “Devils” \n/ sign, he came over after eating and asked if I was an ASU alum, said yeah and chatted for a couple minutes. It was super cool of him and he was with Jason Varitek.
Lastly, met Eduardo Escobar in San Diego (he was with the Mets) pregame. Quick chat and told him we missed him in Arizona. He took some pictures with my kids, chatted for a bit and then he warmed up. He hit for the cycle that game, cool thing to see…also saw Steven Drew hit for the cycle when he was a Dback.
I'm neighbors with pfaadt, super nice dude and seems very humble, i also used to serve Luis Gonzalez at a pizza place I worked at.
I ran into Alek Thomas and Paaft at the PGA Open.
Not a D-Back, but over this past spring training Mookie Betts started playing pickleball (damn near daily) at Roadrunner Park in North Phoenix. He was a super chill dude and would randomly show up to just watch later evenings after he had a baseball game. Super chill dude, got to know everyone by name and mixed in with everyone the few weeks he was in town. Don’t worry, I whooped him for the snakes sake 🐍🐍🐍
Not anywhere in public, just fan fests and signings
I waited on Evan Longoria. he was watching a ufc event on his phone. He just like me fr
The Big Unit himself. His kid was getting swimming lessons at a pool where I worked.
Met Gonzo at last years opening day watch party. Got to ask him and former GM Garagiola some questions at the QA and then Gonzo walked around after. Was a sad turnout but worked out for my wife and I because he came and talked to us for like 15-20 minutes. Super nice guy and really down to earth guy even though he’s a legend here.
I met Luis Gonzalez at the airport in like 2009. He was with his whole family so didn't bother him.
Was in line next to Alek Thomas to get into the Suns arena late last year. Said "hey nice season!" He was with friends it looked like.
Not a D-back but I met Mark Buehrle at Wahlburgers in Toronto after a start there. Was nice enough, seemed tired after his game.
Perdomo at an autograph signing. He is the nicest man ever!!! So sweet and patient with my rambling admiration! 😆
I generally blindfold myself in the presence of any athlete otherwise I'd burst into flames. It's very hard to go to Chase field because all I hear are the sounds of people yelling "let's go dbacks", "charge", and their clapping in unison.
I met Zac Gallen at a liquor store back in November. We were standing next to each other about three feet apart when I noticed him. I said "I'm sorry but you look like someone I know". He replied "Oh yeah? And who would that be?" with a small smirk. I said "My favorite pitcher on the Diamondbacks." And he stuck out his hand and said "I'm Zac, nice to meet you." I shook his hand and we had a conversation about whiskey and tequila and our holiday plans. Very nice guy! I didn't want to ask for a picture because I know he is trying to enjoy his day and get some things for Thanksgiving. Plus I didn't think it would be appropriate to take a pic in front of a giant wall of whiskey. When he was leaving he looked at me again and said "Nice talking to you man, see you later." And left. I was awestruck to say the least.