Hero worship is as American as apple pie.
We fawn over our sports stars as if they were gods. However time and time again we come to find out they are only human with all the shortcomings of your accountant, dry cleaner or lawyer.
In the paper today there as an article about Waiting for Derek. The Yankee poster boy for the sports hero. It seems that before spring training officially begins, in two weeks, Derek arrives at the complex, sounds better than the ballpark, to do something for about 3 hours. The article never said what he does at the ballpark and since there are few other players around, you wonder if he shows up just to be seen.
Apparently word is passed that Derek is on route, security guards ready his parking spot, and the real die hard fans get the buzz that this might be the day that DJ grants them an autograph, from the drivers seat of his auto.
The guards order folks to line up, have their stuff ready to sign and if he should grant you a moment, "Say nothing. He doesn't want to know about your life, so don't ask him about his". All very reminiscent of the Soup Nazi.
The silver Benz with the tinted windows rolls into the complex lot, there is a bit of a stir but everyone is observant of the orders. One person did note as did I that DJ doesn't drive a Ford.
The car stops, the window rolls down and he signs 8-10 autographs. The 11th person having driven, probably in his Ford, from Orlando, is left hanging and disappointed. Right before he leaves, DJ asks are there any kids on the line and 2 young children are brought to see the King. He signs, no "where are you froms" or "why aren't you in school?"
Just Derek being Derek and the rest of us left to stand in line waiting for the next superhuman feat of grown men playing a child's game.
No comments:
Post a Comment