i shook the hand -- well really the meat hook -- of El Duque, when he was pitching for the Yankees. Me and a buddy scored loge tickets to the first home game after 9/11 against the Mariners. they included passes to some bar, that has an exit on the players side of cattle fencing. we walked out of the bar, and there were people lined up waiting for players to exit.

paul o'neil walked out with a bat and pizza box in his hands, wife and kid(s) in tow. Andy Pettite walked out, and signed a bunch of autographs for screaming teeny-boppers. Ramiro Medoza walked out, and i was the only one to recognize him. i got a nod of satisfaction from him. El Duque walked out and i stuck out my hand to shake his. i swear to you i could put my two hands side by side and it may be as big as one of his mitts.

a little bit later, Luis Sojo walked out and my buddy started scratchin out some spanglish with him.