by Cactus Jack » Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:08 am
I didn't ask him for an autograph, just to shake his hand, which he did. I don't ask for autographs. Not cool. The great Bill Russell used to really piss people off when he refused to sign for them, but said, "I'll be happy to shake your hand." I thought that was such a class act thing for him to say that I adopted the idea. I once had Roger Staubach's autograph, but it is long since lost. But I'll never forget shaking the hand of a very hungover Wilt only about two weeks before he passed away. (He was in Boston for a tribute to Russell.)
I have no autographs, but have shaken the hands of dozens of celebs. It always seems to surprise them that I only ask to shake their hand. I said to Pete, "when I tell my father I shook your hand, my stock will go up 20%." Got a laugh. (Even better, when I told my dad, he said, "who?")
"Are the players better as the stakes go up? It's not an exam; it's a buyin." Barry Tanenbaum