This afternoon, I decided to meet Neckbone for lunch, as we both have offices in the Hunt Valley area. We enjoyed some good conversation over lunch at Noodles & Company. For my first visit to Noodles & Company, I was pleasantly surprised as it was quite tasty.
Following lunch, in an effort to avoid our assigned tasks for a moment longer, we decided to grab some coffee from Caribou Coffee. While we were sitting in the seating area with the ski lodge motif, I noticed a former Oriole at the register with his daughter. It was none other than B.J. Surhoff in the flesh, grabbing some coffee. When I pointed this out to Neckbone, he mentioned that he was one of his favorite Orioles. I have always been a fan of him. Together–like a bunch of sports geeks awestruck at celebrity–we decided to make fools of ourselves and greet him. We succeeded at this endeavor, making fools of ourselves, getting tongue-tied as we spoke to Mr. Surhoff. Neckbone mumbled something or other to him about him being his favorite Oriole, and I wished him a happy holiday. Then we scattered, afraid of what may befall us if we stuck around.
I never know the correct thing to say at times like that, but it still felt pretty cool to see an Orioles player at the place where I decided to get some coffee. Things like this happen when you hang out at expensive coffee houses.
I have found over the years that when you meet a ball player or any famous people, they are usually receptive to a little chat and or an handshake. As long as you don’t interupt them while eating etc. I have talked to many celebrities over the years that way and they are just like you and I as a general rule. Good for you two for going up and saying hello.
Yeah, I make sure to never interrupt the celebrity if they are enjoying dinner. The one time I did, we were all eating dinner. It was 8 years ago, and I was eating dinner with my grandmother in Ocean City. Sitting next to us was Ron Matz (of WJZ) and his then fiance (now wife). I interrupted very briefly, and we spoke. A very nice gentleman.