Mariano is the best

[CalYankeeFan]

Not that we didn't know that already - but I continue to be amazed at the time he spends with the fans before the game. At Texas on Friday he spent a good 15-20 minutes signing autographs - he did his best to accomodate everyone. This was the 3rd time I've seen him do this - but the first I was actually successful!

Thanks Mo!



Picture 055.jpg

[Eldee5]

Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Not that we didn't know that already - but I continue to be amazed at the time he spends with the fans before the game. At Texas on Friday he spent a good 15-20 minutes signing autographs - he did his best to accomodate everyone. This was the 3rd time I've seen him do this - but the first I was actually successful!

Thanks Mo!



Attachment 19950

The truly amazing thing is that I've seen him do it at Fenway

[StingrayJG]

He is definitely one of the best signers, especially on the road.

I got his autograph twice, in Toronto 2000 and in San Diego in 2002. Hat and a ball, respectively.

I know he was not considered as marquis an autograph to get but Ramiro Mendoza was always very generous with the signing right alongside Mo as well.

[THEBOSS84]

Meeting Mariano is listed on my bucket list. I've met many Yanks, but not the legend.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

Meeting Mariano is listed on my bucket list. I've met many Yanks, but not the legend.

If I'm ever going to try to go to Cooperstown for an induction ceremony, it'll be his.

[35Knucklecurve]

Man - I'll never get his autograph, so I'll have to live vicariously though those who do.

Funny Mo story - during BP at Camden Yards back around 2002 or 2003, some idiot was constantly begging El Dueque to throw him a baseball. The guy spoke in Spanish. He claimed he wanted the ball for his son. Mo stopped to watch the whole thing, very interested in the outcome. So, El Duque asked the lunatic where his son was and the guy pointed to a blond kid standing next to him. Mo was straining every muscle in his body trying not to crack up. Finally, the guy tried the "mi hermano Cubano" angle. El Duque, turned around, pointed at Mo, glared back at the fool and said in perfect English with no accent, "I'm from PANAMA!". Mo then did his best impersonation of El Duque's knee-to-the-head delivery. The fans went nuts - absolutely freakin' priceless.

[JOBA RULES]

Thats awesome...I'm going to Camden Yards in August and I hope Mo does the same!

[BronxYanks45]

wow, nice!!

[Kentucky Bomber]

He is great at the park if you're there just the right time. We were in Chicago last year, out taking a walk and stumbled on the Yankees bus as it was leaving the hotel. Mo didn't get on the bus, but was with some friends and was off somewhere with them. Some folks approached him and he wasn't interested. Not to criticize, it was his time away from the park and if he had stopped he would have been stopped in a second.

[CalYankeeFan]

He is great at the park if you're there just the right time. We were in Chicago last year, out taking a walk and stumbled on the Yankees bus as it was leaving the hotel. Mo didn't get on the bus, but was with some friends and was off somewhere with them. Some folks approached him and he wasn't interested. Not to criticize, it was his time away from the park and if he had stopped he would have been stopped in a second.

I understand what you're saying. I really don't blame players for NOT signing on "the street" so to speak. Someone like Mo is lucky if he can walk around without being recognized even while the Yankees visit - and once he's recognized, and if he stops, the potential of a mob scene is there. To be honest, I was trapped up against the front rail after he signed my ball - I wanted to get out and let others in but couldn't. That may be a part of the reason why some of the bigger name players don't sign much, even at the ballpark (though I was lucky enough to get Jeter's at Anaheim back in 1998.)

Heck, I was at a mall down the road from the Alamodome during Dallas Cowboys training camp. There was a mob scene when two players who would up on the practice squad were recognized - and these guys signed for about 20 minutes there and had to exit out a side door with the help of mall security. It gets kind of crazy for them.

THe only other player that I saw signing was Tex, for about 5 minutes at the steps going down into the dugout.

My wife and I discussed it later in the night and the players really are in a "darned if they do, darned if they don't" position. If they sign a few autographs, the ones that were passed over complain, if they don't sign at all, people complain. Then of course there's other contracts and that may prevent them from signing certain things. I did notice Mo didn't sign a single ball on the "sweet spot", Not sure why - but for someone like me, that doesn't matter really. I'm not selling it - it'll be my son's someday.

[4bronxbombers]

Mariano is very gracious.

[yankees2010]

The truly amazing thing is that I've seen him do it at Fenway

Mo is a class act. The Sox fans give him ovations to this day because he blew the 2004 Game 4. Mo always handles it with a smile and a tip of the cap. I think he actually has won a lot of Sox fans over because of it.

[ndnboy]

Mo signed for about that much time on their last visit to Camden Yards, got lucky that day with him and my son got Joes too, great Yankee : )

[Axon]

Mo is a class act. The Sox fans give him ovations to this day because he blew the 2004 Game 4. Mo always handles it with a smile and a tip of the cap. I think he actually has won a lot of Sox fans over because of it.

Mo is just one of those guys that are untouchable, almost like Jordan. Sox fans appreciate baseball as much as NYY fans, and they know we won't see his like for some time, possibly ever again.

[MoIsMoney]

Mariano Rivera = Genuine Class

[JohnnyEllis]

Yes he is.

[njyankeesfan]

An example of what every baseball player should aspire to be, excellence of performance on the field and excellence of character off the field.

Just the best!

[DontHateOnNumber2]

I'm happy to read such great stories about Mo. In reality all we needed was the threads title, right?

[CalYankeeFan]

2012-04-23 16.41.01.jpg

Before today's game.

[Sparky]

Before today's game.

Nice pic . . but how did you remember this thread was out there?

[CalYankeeFan]

Nice pic . . but how did y
u remember this thread was out there?

Because I created it originally and it was a memorable experience. I'll post some pics after I download them from my "real" camera. That pic taken today was taken with my phone...and I didn't take my real camera in the crowd. Mo was the only one I saw signing today....

[HerbieLee20]

DontHateOnNumber2
I'm happy to read such great stories about Mo. In reality all we needed was the threads title, right?

Definately one which should qualify for "Sticky", if there ever was one!

[theDurk]

Here's a pic they just put up on the Yankee FB page:

[bobbyc040856]

Hello to all my fellow Yankee fans. I just wanted to invite you to check out my recently-released book entitled "The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History." If you are a true fan of the team, I think you will enjoy reading it very much. My book is currently available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com in both hardcover and ebook format. Thank you for your time, and have a nice day. Best Wishes, Bob Cohen