One of the key Varsity Dad platforms is fan self-determination (not, say, necessarily forcing my fandom on my kid), but for Gabe's first birthday (next week), I couldn't resist:
A month ago, Gilbert Arenas was running a charity promotion on his site where, on a given Saturday at 6 a.m., the first 2,000 fans to sign up would get a personalized autographed jersey and sneaker... for $25.
Obviously, Arenas being my favorite player, I couldn't resist and easily was up in time to log on and bid. For the record, by 6:10 a.m. the thing was basically sold out... that is, when you could access the site at all. Apparently, other fans liked the deal also.
Anyway, I put in an order for a "Gabe"-personalized jersey and it finally arrived on Wednesday. There it is, in what I have to presume (or delude) is Gil's handwriting: "Gabe" and Arenas' autograph.
The jersey is a XXL. I tried putting it on Gabe. He's big for his age... but not THAT big. It would be better as a crib sheet. (Hmm...) So instead I hung the jersey in his room, like art.
Will he be an Arenas fan? Consider that by the time he has any real fan consciousness (age 10-12), Arenas will be 35. Probably as eccentric as ever. Probably not 30 ppg as ever.
But I have to believe there's a correlation between rooting for a player and having a personalized autograph of that player, even if that player isn't your absolute favorite.
Anyone else have the experience of getting an autograph -- personalized or not -- for their kid and having either a new or renewed appreciation for that player? And did your kids turn into lifelong fans of that player?
-- D.S.
1 comment:
Gary Carter...."The Kid"...how could you not LOVE this guy. I remember when the Mets won it all in '86, and through some connections, I got to meet Gary and some other met players. There were autographs and whatnot, but just being able to meet and talk with him was what I remember. I still have the ball, but more importantly, I have the memory.
Years later my father ran into him on a golf course, and he was just as easy going and stopped to talk for a bit.
We need more players who play for the love of the game, and less who play for the love of themselves....like Mr. Bonds.
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