Happy 50th Birthday Roberto Alomar
Happy Birthday to the greatest Toronto Blue Jays player of all-time, Roberto Alomar. Like many Canadian baseball fans my age, Roberto Alomar was my favorite player growing up. I'd like to share a funny story about the time I got to meet my childhood idol.
I was volunteering at a Toronto Blue Jays Youth Camp hosted by the Victoria HarbourCats and was excited that Alomar would be one of the coaches attending. Everybody with the HarbourCats knew that Alomar was my childhood idol so they made sure I got to talk to him when the coaches arrived. We shook hands, took a photo and I got him to sign my favorite card of his. It was a ratty old card I got out of a cereal box. Alomar laughed because it's probably not everyday that somebody gets him to sign a card in such poor shape.
Day one of the youth camp was a success and that night everybody attended a HarbourCats game. I was lucky enough to sit right in front of Alomar and he complimented me on my Alomar jersey. It was a replica of the one they wore when they won the '93 World Series. He said he rarely sees people with that jersey. It was a gift from my girlfriend at the time, and current wife, further proof that she has excellent taste.
At the start of day two of the camp Alomar approached me. He said he had signed a ball for me and gave it to my girlfriend. I think it says a lot about his character that he would remember a brief encounter from the day before and go out of his way to sign a ball for me. I was happy with just getting my card signed because of its sentimental value to me, but Alomar knew a signed ball would make my day so he took a little time out of his day to do something nice.
The rest of the day I couldn't wait to find my girlfriend and see the ball Alomar had signed. When she came back to the ballpark I ask her about the ball and she says "What ball?". I think she's pulling my leg. Nope. Alomar had given the ball to the wrong girl! I can't help but laugh that some guy out there has the ball meant for me. Hopefully the guy appreciates it and the kind gesture he thinks Alomar meant for him.
The ball would be cool to have, but I'm glad that someone else got a cool gift. I'm fine with it. I got my card signed.
