Lost for words at Wrigley Apr10 '05

This afternoon at the ballpark, I met someone very interesting.

Shell and I were standing by one of the ramps, leading to the concourse, watching the game. We did this in order to stretch our legs, and get out of our cramped seats for a few minutes.

A security guard comes up to me, with the sound of his pocket "walkie talkie" blaring distinctly about something.

The guard stands right next to me, listening to his radio, and getting ready to say something to me.

I thought I was in trouble. I was thinking:

"Gee, I’m over 21, so he can’t get me for this beer in my hand."

The guard finally stops listening to his radio, and says to me:

"Who’s the guard on the Bulls from Duke?"

Slightly confused at why he was asking me such a off–beat question, I replied:

"Chris Duhon."

The guard then says:

" Yep. He’s over there signing autographs."

Shell and I quickly paced over to the spot, and there he was, on one of the ramps leading to the concourse, signing a few autographs.

He was alone. He was not drawing much attention.

He started down the ramp, and I stopped and thought, "forget it." I didn’t want to chase after someone, with no purpose or intention.

So, Shell chased after him for me.

I asked someone if they had a pen, and they just shook their head.

Before I knew it, Chris Duhon was approaching me, with his hand out, in order to shake my hand.

I shook his hand, and politely apoligized for wasting his time, if he was in a hurry.

In a very polite and soft manner, Chris said he was on his way out, before the end of the game, in order to avoid the massive crowds leaving the park, all at once.

He didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the request.

Shell asked him if he was excited to be going to the playoffs with a team that hasn’t been there in a very long time.

All the while, I was scrambling for something to have Chris sign.

I tried my Cubs hat, but it was a dark blue material, and the black pen from Shell’s purse would not have made a distinct marking.

Chris waited patiently, and I was very surprised by his manner and composure.

I finally pulled out my ticket stub out of my pocket, and flipped it over to the back.

Chris signed that. I thanked him, and he was on his way.

Afterwards

After we went back to our seats, I kicked myself for not saying more.

I should have complimented him on his increased shooting performance, throughout the season. And always impressive defense.

I should have said something about a recent game, in which Chris would recall.

I should have told him my brother Dave is a big fan of him, and Duke basketball – and is actually at the game as well!

"Chris, can you spare a moment to walk half–way through the park, to get to my brother’s seat, so he can shake your hand?

Wouldn’t that have gone over well...

In reality, I was completely lost for words, simply because it was one of those moments you forget what your own name is.

I was just so shocked at how polite and kind Chris was. Extending his hand, to shake mine, like I was the one being requested for an autograph.

Shell explained how she loved his eyes, and how short he seemed, for a starting NBA guard.

Oh, the game!

And yes, there was a game too! The Cubs did win, in extra innings, but a few of those extra innings, we were already on the bus back home.

It was a long weekend, and we both needed some rest.

Categories: Offbeat

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I was so suprised too how nice he was. How he acted now makes me want to watch the games to cheer him on. It is so nice to see pro atheletes being ... Read more.

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