My brother and I did alot of TTM when we were little kids in the early 90's with minimal success (probably because we didn't include SASE or return shipping, young and ignorant.) But we did get back 3x5 signed photos of Cal Ripken Jr. and signed mini posters from "THE BIG HURT" Frank Thomas, which I have since lost, but it was a huge thrill at the time.
The first athlete I met in person was none other than Johnny Bench, which was a huge thrill for a 10 year old. This was also back in the early 90's. My friend's grandmother took us to a 5th/3rd Bank opening here in Lexington which Mr. Bench attended (I suppose he was a spokesman for them at the time). It was an on the fly kind of thing that she found out about at the last minute, so all I got signed was a scrap of paper which I still have to this day. Probably my favorite IP graph I have obtained.
One of my fondest memories was from the Red's Winter Caravan a couple of years ago. My brothers and I took my Uncle along who has Down's Syndrome. I'm not sure that he totally understands the game, but you can bet that from April to October if you walk in his room at my parent's house, the Reds game is playing on his t.v. Anyway that year the big names in attendance were HOF announcer Marty Brennaman, Dusty Baker, and Outfielder Jay Bruce (who along with Joey Votto is one of his favorite players.). All were very kind to my uncle (especially Mr. Brennaman), high fiving, speaking with him, and signing his Reds pennant. The happiness on his face when we left was priceless and I think he enjoys the game even more now.
I have also had the opportunity to meet HOF'er Joe Morgan, Eric Davis, Tom Browning, George Foster, Devin Messoraco, Brandon Phillips, and several other Reds players over the years and all of them have been great. Not had a bad experience as far as my Reds go. Still waiting to meet my childhood idols Chris Sabo and Ken Griffey Jr.
The first athlete I met in person was none other than Johnny Bench, which was a huge thrill for a 10 year old. This was also back in the early 90's. My friend's grandmother took us to a 5th/3rd Bank opening here in Lexington which Mr. Bench attended (I suppose he was a spokesman for them at the time). It was an on the fly kind of thing that she found out about at the last minute, so all I got signed was a scrap of paper which I still have to this day. Probably my favorite IP graph I have obtained.
One of my fondest memories was from the Red's Winter Caravan a couple of years ago. My brothers and I took my Uncle along who has Down's Syndrome. I'm not sure that he totally understands the game, but you can bet that from April to October if you walk in his room at my parent's house, the Reds game is playing on his t.v. Anyway that year the big names in attendance were HOF announcer Marty Brennaman, Dusty Baker, and Outfielder Jay Bruce (who along with Joey Votto is one of his favorite players.). All were very kind to my uncle (especially Mr. Brennaman), high fiving, speaking with him, and signing his Reds pennant. The happiness on his face when we left was priceless and I think he enjoys the game even more now.
I have also had the opportunity to meet HOF'er Joe Morgan, Eric Davis, Tom Browning, George Foster, Devin Messoraco, Brandon Phillips, and several other Reds players over the years and all of them have been great. Not had a bad experience as far as my Reds go. Still waiting to meet my childhood idols Chris Sabo and Ken Griffey Jr.
