Yep, January 15 did turn out to be just about the best day in my life! I really, seriously met David Eckstein. David Eckstein shook my hand, talked to me, signed my books, posed for a picture, and laughed at something stupid that I had to say. I debated about whether to put this on the internet — I like remaining mysterious and unrecognizable, but then I thought 1) people could probably recognize me easier by my knitting (I can, anyway!), 2) good luck spotting me in a crowd at the stadium anyway, 3) the possibility of getting recognized at a game can’t be much worse than getting recognized in public by your students when you don’t look um, professional, and 4) this is actually a really good picture of me (and him.). So here it is folks, still-life verification that I was a centimeter from David Eckstein:
The entirety of our exchange:
Him – “How ya doin – you want this page signed?”
Me – “Yeah… it’s one of my favorite Cardinal moments… oh thanks!!!”
Him – “Sure thing, thanks for coming!”
Me – “Uhhhh… thanks for.. being.. amazing!”
Eloquent, positively eloquent. I’ve always said oral communication is not my greatest of strengths. I had decided ahead of time that if I could phonate in his presence, the outing might be a success. I was able to get two books signed: one on the page with the picture of him getting mobbed after hitting that walkoff grand slam against the Braves in 2005 because as I told Mr. Eckstein, it’s one of my favorite Cardinal moments and another of him walking amidst teammates because I find that picture to be somewhat ironic.
That’s awesome.
The night he hit that grand slam off the Braves was one of my favorite moments, too.
my wife made a collage out of some of our 2005 collected stuff. the largest single picture was the little guy getting mobbed.
congratulations on your proximity to the series mvp. is he just as scrappy in person?
Hey Elle,
This is in reference to your comment over at GROTA.
Vernon Wells
Carlos Beltran
Andruw Jones
Torii Hunter
Felix Pie
All better than Edmonds. Get a life.
Sweet, I am not the only one in love with that day! He stayed seated so I can’t judge his in-person scrappiness, but like the regular season Dave he seems to be pretty dedicated to medical remedies and prevention — I kid you not, the guy had a festival of Band-Aids on his right hand for blister prevention.
I hear he filed his nails down and bandaged them to allow him to sign autographs for five hours last Saturday.
Hey, I am just messing around, don’t take me too seriously.
I just really don’t like Cardinal fans.
I didn’t take you too seriously and besides, I’m all about free speech. Anyone that includes Felix Pie on their list of the five best current centerfielders can’t be too serious.
You know, there are some of us that are ok, even if we do happen to like Satan’s Foul Fowl and probably make too many easy Cub jokes. : )
Negative, Elle. None of you Card gals are okay.
What? Are you trying to say Pie does’nt deserve to be on the list??? Whatever. I was taking a completly serious and non-homer look at things and he just so happened to make the top 5. Once I add the numbers up, I don’t argue with them.
Here’s to hoping Albert’s leg falls off this spring, or maybe a shredded butt muscle.
Oh and BTW, Rolen is the best defensive 3rd baseman in the history of baseball…and it’s not even close. He is a wizard with the glove. I can’t believe I said that. I am going promptly to hang myself.
Here’s the deal. If you want to engage in friendly smack here, that’s cool. If you want to bring in comments about gender/race/orientation/religion/etc here, not cool. Be peaceful or go, it is your choice.
I would encourage you not to hang yourself even after an expression of free speech so morally reprehensible to Cub fans. After all, this might be the Cubbies’ year…
Hmm elle… I didn’t know anyone was shorter than David Eckstein. Since he is only 5′3″ or so, it makes you look like you are only 4′ 8″ :-).
Seriously, that’s a very cool pic.
I saw your post about David Eckstein, and agree- what a guy!
I live in california, and we had tix for the three game series in Oakland in June.
Daivd got HURT two days before- and I seriously was devastated! He is by far my favorite player.
so, we go early to the game for batting practice-
David is stretching and talking to a trainer.
I was on the railing maybe 50 yards from him- holding my “Have Heart” front cover out.
Sure enough, he came RIGHT over to me when he was done, signed my book. Let my husband take our pic together, and he even put his arm around me.
I could have died and gone to heaven!
I will breathe easier when AUgust 1st comes, and he is still on our roster.