Meeting Carpenter's EyeRoll
by togalin on May 30, 2009 10:48 PM EDT
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I went to the Cardinals-Brewers game in Milwaukee on Memorial Day with my niece and nephew.
It was an amazing game. The only game I can ever recall seeing which was a 0-0 tie after nine innings. Both starters were outstanding, the Cardinals' Carpenter more so, pitching a perfect game into the seventh, ending after eight innings with two hits, zero runs and ten strikeouts. (After 27+ innings this season, he has yet to surrender an earned run) The Brewers starter pitched a no-hitter into the eighth. The Brewer won in the tenth off Cardinals' reliever McLellan.
After the game, I walked around downtown Milwaukee a bit, waiting to take the train back to Chicago. I went into a steakhouse next to the Pfister Hotel to eat. I sat at the bar, and then Chris Carpenter, who had just done all that phenomenal Cardinal pitching, came in and sat down at the corner of the bar. It was only just after five and the place was empty.
He has a large and peculiar tattoo on his left arm (the inconsequential arm). I said I didn't mean to bother him, but said I was a fan and at the game and commended him on pitching a hell of a game. We shook hands, I commiserated on the difficult loss, and he lamented that they couldn't score any runs.
I returned to the newpaper and my meal. Back up catcher Jason LaRue, who looks like a real high-headed neandrathal, came in and sat down next to Carpenter. I was just a few seats away and overheard some of their banter, like two guys tossing after a day's work. Carpenter mentioned that it was the funnest game he'd ever pitched, and I heard them both say "Barden" in an irritated tone.
Then Ludwick, Ankiel and, I think Stavinola came in and sat down at the bar on the other side of me. I didn't say anything, let them alone. The outfielders sat separate from the battery, and I was between them. They might have been at each other's throats for lack of run production (though Ankiel and Ludwick, unfortunately, are not playing. Except for drinking in a bar in Milwaukee...) save my civilizing influence between them.
Finished eating, and noticing Carpenter had also (he and LaRue were very busy diagnosing a cage match on TV) I approached to mention something on my way out. Big mistake. Though he sort of nodded goodbye, as I walked up, he visibly withdrew. Then, as I began to speak, I saw him plainly roll his eyes at LaRue. Unfortunately for poor Carpenter, I am a public defender of 20 years and not given to retiring my prepared speech, even at rolled eyes or turned heads. So, additionally emboldened of gin, I commended his spectacular effort again and compared it to a famous 1965 game I'd read of where Koufax and Cubs pitcher Hendry each threw no hitters for nine innings, but the Dodgers won 1-0 on an error-produced run. This presentation lasted no more than 12 seconds, but Carpenter wanted none of it.
As I walked out, young injured Ludwick, seeing my Cardinals shirt, went out of his way to say hello, but I was so distracted from the Carpenter rebuff, that I hardly acknowledged Ludwick, a legitimate slugger and near MVP in 2008. He seems like a friendly guy though, and I wish I'd told him how anxious Cardinals fans are to have him back, not to mention Rick Ankiel.
I don't run into many famous people, athletes or otherwise. I am not one who believes these folks owe fans too much in the way of time. They stand to be bothered by strangers continuously, and even if true fan, you're still a stranger. I like to think I'm capable of giving celebrities their space, but then I am a devoted Cardinals fan, and Carpenter had just accomplished a phenomenal feat. But he spoke to me once, shook my hand, and I guess I pressed my luck approaching greatness (I'm not worthy!) again, thinking I would impress him with my clever baseball story.
Then again, from what I understand about many of today's players, Carpenter may not be too aware of who Sandy Koufax is. Other considerations are: 1) My mistaking that my story is slightly interesting or applicable at all (a frequent mistake on my part); 2) Our mistaking professional athletes, who on one obvious level we might revere, for being slightly interesting people themselves, when they are most likely little more than boring jocks (conversationally).
I hope I am still able, one day, to get a player's autograph on a baseball or program for my little son. I don't know if Carpenter's a particular primodonna or not. Perhaps a fan must especially leave a pitcher alone after he has pitched (though I would think it would be more before). I do know that I should never try to have sex with a boxer before he fights. But with baseball stars, who knows? These people are multi-millionaires and largely live in parallel universes anyway.
From now on, I'll remember to be more star-struck and keep my distance, I suppose.
The most important thing, however: Carpenter, whether he disses me or not, is pitching like a godamned demon, and I hope he keeps it up.
Lindsay
Chicago, 2008
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I think the real lesson is
Say hello to them and go on your way. Not saying they don’t appreciate the good lucks, but they’re just trying to live their lives out of uniform.
Having a few friends that have played (marginally) pro ball, I wouldn’t bother approaching a player at a restaurant or bar, but if I saw a Carp or a LaRue walking down the street, I’d give them a hi-five just for fun. But (generally) they really, really don’t want to be bothered out in public. And I respect that, I wouldn’t want to be, either.
They don’t play baseball, they work baseball. It’s a job and a lot of them are happy to get away from it.
Hard to fathom for us, but that’s how it is.
Sounds like you had a pretty cool night, though.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
by Alxfritz on May 30, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
And addition, nothing puts you in a bad mood like 1-0 loss. You can’t expect these guys always to be happy as a clam.
On with the (good) youth movement!
Exactly.
Had the Cardinals won, I’m sure the encounter probably would have gone completely differently. It’s like if you ever had a really bad day at work and then some dude wants to make happy talk with you. He was having a bad day. Nothing more, nothing less. I wouldn’t read too much into it. We’re all entitled to be grumpy from time to time.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on May 31, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
what is with all these stories lately...
is this shit real?
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on May 30, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
I assume not just because it's a first post full of misspelled words.
Space.
It's a problem we face.
So we never go anywhere.
We just stay in one place.
i would have just smiled, nodded & waved to him on the way out
you already said hi & got the hand shake. no need to press for anything more.
Luddy doesn’t seam to have been ruined by the whole process yet. give him time, i’m sure with more success, he’’ll become less & less friendly. it’s a sad but true fact most of the time.
It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan
Plus
These guys are interrupted in their meals nearly every time that they go out. They can’t sit down without having someone think that they are going to tell them a clever story or get them to sign an autograph. They have been hardened to relationships with strangers (and they almost have to be) because they simply cannot get any time to their selves. If they had to listen to every fan tell them a story or get an autograph they would never be able to sit down and have a meal with their teammates. Does it hurt people’s feelings when they guys that they love to cheer for totally dismiss them? Yes I’m sure it does. But it does not make the ball player any less of a person. Carp is probably a wonderful person but is hit with the same annoyance day after day. I’m sure any person that constantly gets interrupted would eventually feel the same way. That is why it is more evident with the bigger stars they are more recognizable and therefore are interrupted more often.
Honestly,
I probably wouldn’t recognize the vast majority of the Cards if I saw them in public. I never recognize anybody. Apparently I was walking next to Lamar Odom once for about 4 or 5 blocks in NYC, but didn’t realize it until some guy ran out and yelled “Lamar! Can I have your autograph?” I always need people to point out when I’m next to politicians or other celebrity types, and I managed to have a couple of drinks and about a 20 minute talk with the founder of Hallmark Cards without having any idea.
Isn't Lamar Odom like almost 7 feet tall?
Maybe you wouldn’t realize he was Lamar Odom or even an NBA player, but you would have had to notice the giant next to you and said to yourself, “My god, this man is tall!”
I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain
by jd is legend on May 31, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Benefit of the Doubt
Who sits down to write a 15 minute fake story? sounds real enough.
I’d hate people bothering me after work at a bar with my friends, wouldn’t you? The other thing that always jumps out at me is how really young these guys are. Who of us could handle that kind of scrutiny at these tender ages.
I think what is interesting is how the writer titles the piece after the eyeroll not the original handshake. Just goes to prove that no good deed goes unpunished. People only remember the lousy stuff, not the good stuff.
Just win
No Kidding
Indeed, the story is true. Its not that remarkable and makes sense. I pressed my luck after the handshake. The fascination to me is my own lame desire (which I suspect many have) to want to speak to famous athletes. I really don’t believe too many of them are interesting, yet I, like a moth, am drawn to them because I am a fan of the game. Sure, he is a damn good pitcher and had just pitched a classic, but what does he really have or want to say about it? What I watched and how I perceived it and what he did and how he perceived it were in two distinct dimensions of experience which have little overlap. Yet I still sought to share what I saw with what he did by, in this instance, mentioning a little baseball history. There is but one disconnect, the other, as you say, is that a man just got off work and doesn’t want to be bothered by a stranger.
And there is a lttle more to the story. I’ll not shade my behavior, as the only Cardinal fan who had just watched the game, sitting next to Carpenter in a quiet bar, I was eavesdropping. It is the only time I ever have or ever will hear a professional athlete of that stature speak spontaneously, uninhibited. I gathered the realization—no shocker here—that these ballplayers do not play for the fans nor care about them. They are playing for themselves, other stars, maybe select managers, or sportswriters even. They are mostly playing for those of their ilk, not me.
I am just the chump in the stands drinking overpriced beer and sitting in an overpriced seat.
Though I don’t necessarily blame Carpenter, the handshake was half-hearted, but the eyeroll was very real. Trust me, I was there for both. I don’t mean to say he’s a bad person. I don’t know him as a person. I admire him as a pitcher (I was in Busch III for WS Game Three in ‘06 and saw him shut down the Tigers which I’ll never forget) and that’s really all I should care about. He’s a sports star, I’m the man on the street. He exists, and has ever since his monumental talent became apparent, in a different dimension. Particularly in the culture in which we live. I guess there’s some part of me which likes to think otherwise, but it just ain’t so.
I, as a mere mortal, must tread humbly (and silently) if I walk among gods, even if they be bogus, 21st century pop culture gods. They want little to do with those not of their realm…
by togalin on May 31, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Or you could just say hello and go about your life.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
by Alxfritz on Jun 1, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
thanks for sharing
it has to be frustrating for the guys like carpenter, to have guys like us bothering them, and you can’t expect to bother the same guy twice in one night and not get -punched- eye-rolled. OTOH, it’s a great story. I’d just caveat the “grr, barden” part, since it’s obvious the old crusty vets will hold the rookies to a higher standard. Hope Carp doesn’t really feel that way about Barden, who has been surprisingly good.
I like your point: “I really don’t believe too many of them are interesting”. I’ve never been into talking to baseball players, autographs, etc. I had the opportunity to go to dinner with the duncans and 80 or so of their closest friends in scottdale in 2007 (was wearing a Duncan jersey to the game in AZ, that I had custom made off the internet, and sat next to a single-mom type high school friend of Chris (and her two kids) who wondered where i got it*) and turned it down, for that reason. I just don’t know what we’d talk about. yeah, you hit the baseball, really hard; yeah, i’m a bad engineer who watches every game, then does math about in teh interweb. Feels kinda stalkerish. [Plus, I totally got lost in scottsdale looking for the restaurant ;) but it was a half-hearted “it’s kind of on the way to the hotel” kind of lost]
*same game, adam ottovino’s cousin was on the other side, and her really cool (but cubs fan) boyfriend, lol. was the wainwright vs webb game right after the BS ankiel hgh thing.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
that said
I picture baseball athletes as being more interesting than other athletes, for some reason. it always seems like they have more interesting personalities. probably like real life though, a handful of athletes in each sport are interesting, the rest just kinda normal
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 1, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I was probably a bit harsh
I think its cool you got to see them out of the zoo, but I can understand a 100 X over why they don’t want to be bothered. Now if he did the same thing at the ballpark when he is supposed to be representing the team……
Having said all that, there are lots of them that are very fan-friendly. I knew a guy who had some dealings with Tom Henke and he said Tom was always a real gentleman to folks. So they exist, but probably not after a 1-0 loss.
Just win
at the same time
if they don’t want to be bothered, there has to be better places for them to hang out
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 1, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Where?
In their hotel room? Sure they could, but that shit gets real old real fast.
If you can’t go out to a random steakhouse in Milwaukee and not expect to be bothered, then where can you go? It’s not like he was at Shannon’s in downtown St. Louis. This happened in Milwaukee.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
I dunno
go to more private location
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 2, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Not Harsh, A Star's Handshake Should Not Be Overlooked
By going ‘back for more’ I was greedy in the realm of greatness. I shook his hand, he spoke to me—what more can I ask?
Still, that damn dismissive eyeroll. It does sting to be 47,multi-degreed, and blatantly blown off by a 34-year old jock. Yet I was. But who am I, and who am I to him, other than a nuisance? Its uncomfortable and humiliating, but true.
I still suspect only a minority of professional athletes are worth our conversational efforts. As a friend said when I shared the story, as to whether Carpenter could discuss Koufax: Do we think Secretariat knew the history of Man o’ War? Professional athletes may be not too far removed from racehorses as to intellect. Consider the training, conditioning, breeding, all emphasizing the muscle groups below the neck. . .
Or am I just trying to retaliate dismissively? Yes, I bothered him unwarranted, but what if, hypothetically, he was bored and alone and wanted conversation? What might we have discussed? I saw his enthrallment with the cage match on TV, which didn’t draw me. I too, think (or hope) baseball players might be a little more active upstairs than other athletes (recall Kruc, who while not necessarily appearing an interesting mind himself, describing himself to the female sportswriter: “I’m not an athlete; I’m a baseball player.”) We might like to think they are sportsmen of a different order. Just as the game draws a more graceful pen than any other sport, maybe its participants are inclined to deeper thoughts than, say, your average NHL defenseman, or NFL lineman.
I often read a baseball book in the summer and this year I’ve finally opened “Ball Four”. Bouton seems a fairly bright, funny guy. No Roger Angell as a baseball writer, mind you, but how many are?
Though the book was controversial at the time (1970), it is innocent by today’s standards. He wrote: “Got a letter today from two girls who were members of my fan club. [They wrote to commend him on his adoption of a baby girl…] I really liked that fan club. I enjoyed being a big league player and having people recognize me and having little kids get a charge out of meeting me. I remember what it was like when I was a kid and what I thrill I got just watching Willie Mays climb out of a taxicab. So the fact that I had my own personal fan club always pleased me. . .”
Whatever happened to “fan clubs”? Gone the unfortunate way of letter-writing I imagine.
Maybe I should write Carpenter a letter.
What’s the point?
I think you're over-analyzing this thing to death.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Wow
It is becoming blatantly obvious that you were really hurt by Carpenters roll of the eyes. It’s kind of sad to see you continually berate him stating that he is probably just a non interesting, ignorant, jock. You say that you are a multi-degreed educated man yet you cannot grasp the very concept that people are people and life is life. This happens daily to the educated and non educated alike. Would it have made you feel better if it had been Larussa, who has been through law school, lending credence to the fact that he is educated and therefore has earned the right to roll his eyes at you. It seems that there is a deeper issue at hand. A simple roll of the eyes probably does not constitute a whole blog full of backhanded remarks toward Carpenter.
Not So Wow, Indeed
More fascinated than hurt. You need not feel sad for me or poor him being berated. Aside from picking on Carpenter by speculating on his potential intelligence, of which I know not but merely assume to be mediocre, I think I mention many issues worth discussing. If any discussion is possible here.
I tried to talk to the guy twice, he was annoyed, he blew me off. A roll of the eyes is a silent Fuck You, or at best dismissing someone like a child. I have every right to protest or comment in return, but lets say I fully deserved it.
But who are these people anyway? No one deserves to be bothered, but then again . . . Instead of granting greater deference in public, $12 million a year to play baseball might instead call for more PR with the fans. Who pays his salary but fans like me who have no choice but to buy tickets?
But for general consideration, in the context of this story, could we assume that pitchers might be more articulate and interesting than position players? Note in my original story how Carpenter was separated from the outfielders. Is this traditional or just coincidental? If LaRussa is of exemplary intelligence and notable education, how does he successfully relate to these players as we know him to? OR, do players today, who earn so much more than managers, fail to listen to them at all? How much does Carpenter’s giant salary play into his bluntly blowing me off, or does it? If it was 1967, and he was earning $150,000 would he act the same way?
Though you don’t like it, I remain intrigued by the question of just how interesting most of these athletes might be. I enjoy sports, primarily baseball and secondarily football, but have always been frustrated by the pointlessness of the player’s post-game interview. Do they ever amplify in any interesting way what we’ve already watched? No. Its like the scene in “Bull Durham” where Crash Davis instructs the rookie phenom how to voice the proper baseball cliches. Not only do these players have no regard for the fans, I submit, but if they talk at all, they talk innocuous, pointless double-speak.
I don’t follow sports culture beyond the games for this reason. I once heard former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett speak on Chicago public radio. I could not believe how perceptive and well-versed this young man was. I was stunned by his vocabulary and articulation. I wonder how much an anomaly such an athlete is?
It is not about the roll of the eyes, but some of the larger issues its context presents. I’ll likely never run into any baseball stars again. I don’t follow them or the game that closely. I’ll keep my distance if I do, unless its in some autograph or meeting-warranted situation with my son.
Early in his fame, Paul Newman stopped giving autographs. He said he stopped when he was at a urinal one time, and a fan asked. That speaks volumes about celebrity’s need for space, as many of the respondents, including yourself, have done to my story. But remember, Paul Newman was a hell of a lot more famous, and, in my book, a far more significant star than Chris Carpenter.
In my other comments, I’ve mentioned John Kruc, Roger Angell, Jim Bouton. I’ve broached several other avenues of discussion beyond Carpenter blowing me off.
As for me not grasping “the concept that people are people and life is life,” I have no idea what the hell that means. I suspect because it is meaningless. Are you also fond of saying, “Its all good”? Both people and life are very much more than their own designations. But then again, since you are so defensive of Carpenter’s personality (of which I, as a Cardinals fan care not), maybe yours is comparable.
Interesting...
It is impossible to address a question of how interesting someone is when the question has no answer and is completely a matter of opinion.
On the matter of the post game interviews most athletes use the clichés because it is a necessity. The media has a marvelous way of taking words and interpreting them how they see fit. Most athletes realize this and are even told to stick to the regimen so the media will get its comment but have nothing to put a negative spin on. It is nearly impossible to tell the intelligence of an athlete on any type of interview.
You are correct, and I should have clarified my comment on people and life. As I was writing it made perfect sense in my head but after reading it again it leaves a lot to the imagination. What I was simply referring to was the fact that you continually correlate Carpenters “Fuck You”, I believe is how you so eloquently put it, to a monetary and status issue. You led the reader to an assumption that his reaction was based on his superior view of himself due to the fact that his fame and fortune exceeds your own. There is a greater probability that he just did not like you or the way you felt that your status allowed you to interrupt him multiple times. Which happens with all people in all walks of life.
As I stated earlier opinions are opinions and ours seem to be differing on this subject. Had I been in your shoes when this happened there is a likely possibility that mine might differ. I will discontinue the subject now for I fear that this proverbial dead horse has received more than its share of lashes.
you seem to be making a lot of conclusions based on
what was probably one of the guy’s worst emotional days of the year.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but keep in mind that the guy just lost a 1-0 game. Hell, I did that in little league and felt like absolute shit. I would hardly even talk to my dad for the night. I can’t imagine what it would feel like in the pros.
On with the (good) youth movement!
how is this really different from the rest of life?
if you see an attractive girl/guy at a bar, and try to chat her/him up, and she/he brushes you off (hopefully, politely), you have simply tried and failed. neither of you has done anything wrong. if you come back later after getting politely brushed off the first time, and you continue chatting her/him up, that’s rude.
being out in public does not, celebrity or no, make a person obliged to entertain everyone else who happens to be out in public. a person can want to not speak to strangers because they’re tired/stressed/really want to spend time just with their friends/really want to talk with their friends about something important/just happens to be insular and not very social.
there’s nothing over the line about saying hello once, but going back for seconds allows the other party an eye-roll at your expense, whether or not they’re a celebrity. it has nothing to do with being a “mere mortal.” it’s just being a person.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
I hate
eye-rolling. I think it’s passive-aggressive unless done ironically. If it was me, I would’ve just been direct. “Thanks for the kind words earlier, but now I’m going to hang with my coworkers” or something to that effect. But I’m a big believer in direct communication and firm boundaries.
Still, I imagine the constant neediness of fans gets old. Everyone wants a piece. You wanted two pieces, and that’s unfair. Then again, without fans Chris Carpenter would be making a lot less money.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
it always seems kinda immature
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 1, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
>rollseyes<
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
>bites thumb<
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
do you bite your thumb at me, lady?
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
I do bite my thumb at thee.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
i was gonna say something like "then draw, varlet!"
but i don’t think challenging a lady to a duel was cool back in Merrie Olde England. or renaissance italy, even.
is it proper to simply bite my thumb back and walk on? hmm.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
This is
how we start a huge, bloody gang war between two status-hungry families.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Hey, I'm in!
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 2, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
i don't want a piece of players
i prefer brownies. and pie.
It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan
by gdm426 on Jun 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can't see it.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Damn that was quick
worked for about a minute. You didn’t miss anything, just a cheap joke.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
But I like those.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
I'm still trying to figure out why this says 2008 at the bottom
have you been stewing about this for that long?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 2, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe he was born in 2008
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Jun 2, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
No, Vintage 1960s
LH:
That reminds me of the time when I was hanging out with Leeming – we were eating breakfast (late night) at the Golden Apple up on Lincoln Avenue (just sitting there minding our own business).
The door swings open and in walks about five players from the Cubs – I think they had one of those city-series games against the White Sox.
Well, me and Leeming were deep in conversation right? You know how Tim gets when he’s in the middle of making a point – he doesn’t like to be interrupted.
Wouldn’t ya know it, but all of a sudden I feel a tap on my shoulder and its one of these ballplayers and he says (all timidly and apologetically), “I hate to interrupt, but it’s been bugging me and I have to ask – you guys are lawyers, right?”
“Yeah,” we both say.
“And you,” he points at Tim, “You’re a public defender, aren’t you?”
“Uh yeah,” Tim says growing concerned.
“You’re Tim Leeming.”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’ve been following your career. I love all the work you’ve done for the indigent – and the fact that you’ve found time to continue to make art and raise a family.”
“Well, thank you,” said Tim confused and bewildered.
“Could I have your autograph?”
“Sure.”
“Here, just sign my Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.”
“That was weird,” said Tim.
Less than a minute later, another ballplayer rudely interrupts our meal – with the same old tired excuse.
I roll my eyes.
It’s a burden being a hero.
by togalin on Jun 3, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I've been to that restaurant
pretty good food
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 3, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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