#31 jerseys abound.
The whole experience, minus the line, felt rushed. I managed to exchange a few pleasantries with Mike Piazza before I was swiftly ushered away to allow the next batch of fans to seek his autograph. Still, I walked away with a feeling that the overall experience was very cool. I met numerous current Dodgers players less than a month ago at Dodgers FanFest 2013, yet the brief book signing, photo op, and quick exchange of "thank you's" felt somehow more poignant to me.
I like pictures of signs. This sign is bossy.
Maybe it's not necessarily that I was starstruck, but perhaps it was the simple fact that it was Mike Piazza himself sitting there. He wasn't some baseball player near my own age to whom I could more easily relate. Hell, professional athletes are just mortals, right? We're all pink on the inside or whatever. It wasn't until after I left the queue that I finally realized, "Whoa, I grew up watching that dude play, rooting for him." So, I guess that was the point when I understood just how grand and badass these players can seem to a kid - especially since I was apparently starstruck and in awe after all, if however briefly.
Here are some more photos from the event (unfortunately a few did not come out super sharp):
(More after the jump!)
