I sort of met Nolan. The Rangers were in Anaheim and it was to be the last time he would be there as he announced his retirment at the end of the year. He was to pitch on Sunday and do a signing at a hotel in anaheim on Saturday. My buddy Craig bought baseballs and were all set to show up, when some a-hole called in a bomb threat or something and the event was cancelled. I told my buddy that Ryan doesn't sign on days he pitches, but maybe if we show up early to the stadium we can get him to take a picture with us.
Sunday arrives, we are out front of the big A with about fifteen other people. A white limo drives by us and heads around towards the side of the stadium facing the train station. Everyone starts running for the limo, my buddy included. I just stay put. My buddy asks me if I'm coming and I tell him no, that Ryan isn't coming in a limo. Not his style. A little kid overheard me and also stayed put. So it's just us three now standing around. I look towards the parking lot and I see him wearing a cowboy hat strolling through the cars heading right for us. My buddy is impressed I was correct. I have worked at Disneyland and Medieval Times, I have seen a far share of stars and super stars, I have never ever froze before. I've seen other people freeze up, I just have never done it. Until Nolan walked right by me. He looked over at me and nodded. I could not move. I just stared at him like a goon. The little kid ran up to him and tried to get him to sign a ball, but Nolan wouldn't do it, but he did talk to the kid all the way to the entrance for players. My buddy is looking at me to do anything, I do nothing but watch him walk all the way to the door, give the kid a handshake and enter into a side door. The kid comes back to us grining ear to ear. "He doesn't sign on pitching days, but he was still cool." I unfreeze and curse a storm, my buddy just laughs at me. I asked him why he didn't stop him and he holds up the camera. "I was suposed to take the picture." Right, he froze up too.
Ryan is a big dude. I was sooo very bummed for a while that I froze up. I couldn't believe it. But he was my childhood hero so, yeah. At least I got a nod. Pretty sure I will never get to met him again, but history tells me if I did, it would probably be a very one sided conversation.
