Stories of a Crazed Fan Part 1

Have I mentioned that I am a Red Sox fan?  I've been to Sox spring training camp and park in Fort Myers Florida, ohhh about 4 times.  Nothing makes me happier than Florida and The BoSox in the spring.  Well....maybe some things would but that's another post.

As you can imagine I've met alot of players during spring training.  They are much more accessible during spring training, which Mama likes.  :)  I have interacted with......Dustin Pedroia, Manny, Papi, Yaz, Dewey Evans, Jacoby Ellsbury, Wade Boggs, Youk and many others.....like the rays.  We also visited their spring training facility and I got to meet Carl Crawford - and had quite an exchange.  :) Oh and I also kinda met Stephen King! (he almost ran me over)

It's always me and my friend Brian, and as crazy as I am for the sox, he is even crazier.  A typical day for us in Fort Myers is:

Out the door by 8:30am
Breakfast by 9am
At the park by 10 am.
Doors open at 11am
Secure good spot near field to get autographs.
Yell, and beg for autographs for 3 hrs
Watch game at 1pm
Go to house, shower
Go out to dinner
Repeat

Sometimes we'd go the training facility instead of the park.  Either way it ends up being a long, hot day, but totally worth it.  Here are some of the interactions I've had.

Dustin Pedroia - First time I met him was the spring before his Red Sox debut.  He was training away, while I was in "the pit" with a ton of other fans.  I was right up front - getting there 2 hrs early has it's privledges. So anyway, while everyone is yelling to Manny, I call Dustin over.  He turns around, looks surprised, and says to me "You're really talking to me?" and I'm like "Yeah, come give me your autograph!"

So he comes over, signs everything I ask of him while we chat.  Of course I tell him he's going to make the team, and he is not quite as sure as I am.  (We also follow minor league too...yes crazy)  So anyway, he signs for all the other fans, and stays with us for quite a while.  I keep bragging to everyone that it was MY idea to get him over.

Fast foward to next year.  I am in the same spot and there he is....Mr. Rookie of the Year.  He's stretching or whatevah, and I call him over.  NOTHING.  I call him again. "Dustin!!!" NOTHING.  No turn, no acknowledgement....and I have a poster that I took from my son's room that I wanted him to autograph.  Grrrr.  So he finishes his training...gets up off the grass, and walks right over to me.  Yes I am in front again. In this pit of like 100 fans.  So everyone around me is THRILLED and screaming "Dustin!"....except me. lol don't get the Sicilian chick mad.  He says hello and signs my poster and stuff first.

I say "Didn't you hear me calling you?" Grrr

He says "Yeah, I heard you!"

Me "Then why didn't you come over?"

Dustin "Well I did.  I'm here.  I had to finish the workout first."

Me "Oh yeah"

He went on to tell me that he remembered me from last year!  I shiat you not! He said something like, didn't we do this last year?  Yes!!!!! And then he told me that I was so nice LAST YEAR.  Heh.

Yaz was the toughest autograph to get.  He just doesn't sign and he's an angry man.  Tough for some but not for Very Josie.

Stay tuned for the Yaz story.
Josie