Jason Pridie - A Class Act ...and Mike Cameron as well

by crazyremy on Jul 26, 2011 8:06 PM EDT

Was at the Mets@Marlins game last Friday night. Hanging outside Sun Life Stadium after the Mets win since it was Fiesta Friday at the crummy Fish stadium, there were about 10-20 Mets fans, mostly kids - asking for autographs as the players got on the team bus - (some players sped out in their fancy cars with tinted windows out of the enclosed garage area). But just about every single player walking out onto the bus which was less than 25 feet from where the fans were standing either ignored the fans or barely waived as the kids yelled out their names begging for a simple signature...all players just got right up on the bus, all except but one - Jason Pridie.

Pridie went over to the fans and took literally less than 5 minutes of his time and made sure to go up and down the line of fans signing balls and taking pictures. It was admirable and you couldn't help but wonder why some of the other players couldn't do the same. It did not take that long and their bus was sitting there forever anyway. Once the bus took off and the disappointed kids were walking away with just one autograph one last car stopped just before the exit gate. Ex-Met Mike Cameron made one more spectacular play for these Mets fans and got out of his car and signed for a few fans who stuck around and also took pictures with others.

The Marlins at least have an autograph section on the field level of the stadium before the game where they sit 2 players at random (Leo Nunez and Clay Hensley signed that night) no other players signed after the game.

I always heard of people complaining that players don't like to sign autographs and never thought much of it - until I saw how little effort it took and how much it meant to those kids that showed up at the game - now this was just one game, I'm sure their signing habits differ and I've never stuck around to see who signs and who doesn't but that one night, none of the Mets seemed to care much about those Mets fans in Miami - none but Jason Pridie ...and good ol' ex-Met Mike Cameron. (Terry Collins quickly signed a few himself but seemed to be with family and understandably was in a hurry). Nonetheless, hats off to Jason Pridie and Mike Cameron for making it a more enjoyable night for a handful of grateful baseball fans.

Poll

Should players interact more with fans at games by signing autographs and taking pictures?

Yes, interaction with the fans helps to grow the game and the fans deserve it

54 votes

No, they get paid to play ball not to act like team mascots or politicians

5 votes

I don't care as long as Cow Bell Man isn't in my section

18 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Athletes shouldnt be required to sign autographs

But I do think it is an expectation that they should meet sometimes.

Bobby Baseball - The future of Amazin' Avenue.

by Bobby Baseball on Jul 26, 2011 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

gameday yes but not on their off time

I think it is good for players to sign at some point before or after the game, and like the idea of 2 random players doing it before the game.

away from the game, I think it is rude of someone to ask a player for an autograph. It is horrible when they are having dinner or trying to relax at some type of show or other sporting event

I actual never understood wanting an autograph. I have met a few ball players, and a few celebrities and even a President. I have had full conversations 2-3 times, and even worked out in the same gym as 1 famous wrestler. If people choose not to believe me because I do not have an autograph, who cares. I really have no desire to sit and stare at someones signature

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 27, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with everything you just said

I would rather take a picture with them. But either way, its not like the celebrity would remember me, so I wouldnt really care.

Bobby Baseball - The future of Amazin' Avenue.

by Bobby Baseball on Jul 27, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

In my freshmen year, the Hofstra hockey team practiced at the same facility that the Islanders use.

I had ample opportunity to get autographs from multiple players but the only one I ever asked was former Sabres defenseman Alexi Zhitnik after one of their open practices (I exchanged nods with Brendon Witt as well). Now maybe it was just because it was the Islanders or maybe it was because I had nothign for them to sign (Zhitnik signed a schedule), but asking for an autograph just didn’t seem like the right thing to do.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 28, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably gonna get railed for my take

but I can understand a players reluctance to do this any time, every time, everywhere. Regardless of their imbecilic salaries that more often resemble GNP’s of small countries, they’re still human beings and I’m sure the team obligates them to enough of the gaggles to tire them of the fan exposure.

"Intelligence is not a genetic predisposition. Think stupid!!"

by Wright of passage on Jul 26, 2011 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

this

and I understand why a Jason Pridie would be interested in taking that extra time – fans will never know who he is otherwise because he is a backup OF

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on Jul 26, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Bianca Cruz?

Yogi on the 1969 NY Mets....." overwhelming underdogs "

by SuperSantana on Jul 27, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

In my experience, "Fiesta Friday" is a good thing

Even moreso if it’s in South Florida.

But, anyway, Praise Pridie!

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jul 26, 2011 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

Ouch.

I'm a New Yorker born and bred. I support my Jets, Mets, Red Storm and Islanders. I also love my out-of-state Bulls, Clippers, Cowboys & Fighting Irish.

by Xfactor26 on Jul 27, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

The only picture I could find when I typed 'Bianca Cruz Pridie'

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jul 28, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

only 56 autographs that actual matter to me

Delaware:
• George Read • Caesar Rodney
• Thomas McKean

Pennsylvania :
• George Clymer • Benjamin Franklin
• Robert Morris • John Morton
• Benjamin Rush • George Ross
• James Smith • James Wilson
• George Taylor

Massachusetts:
• John Adams • Samuel Adams
• John Hancock • Robert Treat Paine
• Elbridge Gerry

New Hampshire:
• Josiah Bartlett • William Whipple
• Matthew Thornton

Rhode Island :
• Stephen Hopkins • William Ellery

New York:
• Lewis Morris • Philip Livingston
• Francis Lewis • William Floyd

Georgia:
• Button Gwinnett • Lyman Hall
• George Walton

Virginia :
• Richard Henry Lee • Francis Lightfoot Lee
• Carter Braxton • Benjamin Harrison
• Thomas Jefferson • George Wythe
• Thomas Nelson, Jr.

North Carolina:
• William Hooper • John Penn
• Joseph Hewes

South Carolina:
• Edward Rutledge • Arthur Middleton
• Thomas Lynch, Jr. • Thomas Heyward, Jr.

New Jersey :
• Abraham Clark • John Hart
• Francis Hopkinson • Richard Stockton
• John Witherspoon

Connecticut :
• Samuel Huntington • Roger Sherman
• William Williams • Oliver Wolcott

Maryland:
• Charles Carroll • Samuel Chase
• Thomas Stone • William Paca

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 27, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

#JohnHancockIsSelfish

#TradeThomasJefferson

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jul 27, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

Jefferson thinks he's going to get Ben Franklin money.

He’s had everything wrong with him, he won’t get it.

"Dont blame me, I was given this world, I didn’t make it."
-Tupac Shakur

by NetsMets4Life on Jul 28, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I have to say this criticism is slightly unfair

It’s my understanding that they’d rather sign before games than afterwards. I know that David Wright and Jose Reyes used to sign for 15 minutes between outfield warmups and gametime at Shea (haven’t gotten to a game early enough at Citi to remember).

Also, I worked with a Triple-A team last spring (the Syracuse Chiefs, as an intern) and players were VERY hesitant to sign anything for the 20-30 people that would wait after games. There wasn’t much security, just a barrier and one guard, but players would still ignore fans (especially Strasburg). Though, I will admit Ike Davis, Fernando Martinez, and Ruben Tejada were very kind when Buffalo came to town…

Die-hard Mets fan and blogger: http://www.thekingsofqueens.wordpress.com

by ljmilman on Jul 27, 2011 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

They are entertainers and should make their fans happy.

Yogi on the 1969 NY Mets....." overwhelming underdogs "

by SuperSantana on Jul 27, 2011 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Like all good things in life

Everything should be expected to be given & taken in moderation. To blankly state because they’re entertainers entails them as being obligated to put smiles on every face they come across is very immature and short sighted. If you implied this while fulfilling team obligations to fans at appropriated times then I agree whole heartedly. However professional athletes owe the paying public nothing outside of their respective venues where they get paid to perform and act accordingly. Its why guys like Reyes and Wright who have reached their levels of stardom and remember very well what it felt like to be on the other side of the fence, are so lovable and adored by their fans that much more. Look across town and you’ll see its plain as day that its clearly not a right but a privilege as its not inherently gifted in every athlete to be as gracious as our guys are.

"Intelligence is not a genetic predisposition. Think stupid!!"

by Wright of passage on Jul 27, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ike Hillard once said to me

Signing autograph’s and pics for the fans is part of my salary. The fans are the reason why I make this money so I have to give back. Refering to Giants training camp in Albany where he would sign for 2 hours after practice in the heat after a grueling workout. We need more guys like this in sports. The fans pay the salary. If the fans stopped coming to the games and watching TV then welcome to the real world of a payday.

by TheKid08 on Jul 27, 2011 11:33 PM EDT reply actions