Ryan Encounters.......
From the Fan's Viewpoint
This is a page for fan's to tell about their encounters with a brave player. If you have any let me know!!
Martita's story in her own words: Kind of long but well worth reading!!
This past August I had the great pleasure of meeting Ryan twice - the
first encounter took place in the Hotel Lobby in Pittsburgh when the
team arrived well after midnight (after they had just gotten whomped by
the Stinky Fish!). Many of the players chatted and signed autographs
for me as they were waiting for their room keys and for the elevators.
THEN CAME OUR BOY!!!!! He was talking with one of the other guys so I
stood quietly off to the side until they were finished. Then I asked
him if he’d be willing to sign an autograph for me. He replied, “I’m
really tired, can you catch me tomorrow?”. I could tell that he was
totally exhausted, but for me this was the chance of a lifetime. So I
put on my famous sad puppy-dog eyes and said, “Oh.... really?” in a VERY
disappointed tone of voice. To which he replied, “Ok, let’s hurry.” As
he was signing I congratulated him on his engagement and he politely
mumbled a thanks.
At which point I decided to push my luck and ask for
photo as well - which is really hilarious cause in the picture I’ve got
a million dollar smile on my face and he looks very tired and
unenthusiastic!! (which I can understand, considering they lost their
game that day and it was past midnight). Now keep in mind that the
whole time all of this is going on, I’m surrounded by the entire team
who is waiting in the small area to get on the elevators!!! So I was
thanking Ryan when the security guard who had been trying to kick me out
all night approached and told me to “vacate the area”. Well, as I
headed out one of the guys made this really loud FARTING noise and then
someone yelled out, “Hey blondie, was that YOU?” (I later discovered
that it was Denny Neagle). Totally embarrassing!!
The next night we attended the game and afterwards went to a bar that I
knew Ryan would be at. It’s a VERY small place with only about ten
tables or so. There were only about 8-10 other people in there so I was
able to spot Ryan right away. I quietly put my purse on the table right
next to his so that he was kitty-corner from me (facing me) and about 3
-4 feet away!!! I noticed that he was drinking Corona, so when I went
to get my drink I spontaneously decided to buy him a beer as his was
almost empty.
I chugged half my drink for courage, just walked to my
table next to him and leaned over and handed him the beer. He smiled at
me and looked surprised as hell! I said something to the effect of,
“Just wanted to let you know that you are my all time favorite player
and I always enjoy watching the Braves play....” or something of that
nature (My friend Deveron said she was VERY impressed because I didn’t
seem nervous at all. And quite honestly, I WASN’T nervous!!! I have no
idea why not either considering I have been following Klesko and the
Braves for close to 7 years now...) So he flashed me one of his MILLION
DOLLAR SMILES (laugh lines around his eyes are sooo cute) and said, “Wow
- uh, thanks a lot for the beer and I’m glad you enjoyed the game.” So I
continued on, “Last night you told me to catch you today for a photo and
I was hoping you’d still be willing to do so.” And he said, “ A photo?
You want another photo of ME?” in a teasing voice. I replied jokingly,
“Hey, I came all the way down from NY to see this game, so it’s the
LEAST you could do!!” When he asked from what part of NY I was from we
started talking about his NASCAR team that he co-owns, as I live really
close to the Watkins Glen Racetrack. So we chatted for a little while
longer and I then excused myself and went back to the bar because I
didn’t want to push it. That’s when he picked up his cell phone and
called his Mom.
After a few minutes Dev and I went back to our table, and all I could
think was, “I am sitting 3 feet from Ryan Klesko, I am sitting 3 feet
from Ryan Klesko, I am sitting 3 feet from Ryan Klesko.....” After ten
minutes or so of talking on the phone (I FORCED myself not to eavesdrop
too much) I heard him saying, “MOM??? Hey Mom, are you still there?”
And then he rolled his eyes and put the phone down. Then some really
drunk guy realized who Ryan was (thanks to my big-mouthed friend) and
went and GUSHED all over him - Our Boy was VERY sweet and tolerant. The
guy kept repeating, “Oh my GOD!! You’re my idol - I can’t believe it’s
really you. This is my first major league game and I can’t believe I
met my hero....” He went on & on and was slurring his words in a BIG
way!! It was partly comical and partly embarrassing!!
I mean, this
grown man was literally hopping up and down with joy and delight!!! So
I’m now thinking, “There’s no freakin WAY I’m gonna ask Ryan for my
photo now after that spectacle”, but then I realized it was an
opportunity that I would never have again, so I leaned over and said,
“In spite of what just happened, are you still willing to pose for a
photo?” And he said, “What? That guy? Aww, I don’t mind at all...”.
So I went and stood next to him and he surprised the hell outta me by
wrapping his arm right around my waist and pulling me in for the
picture!!! So NOW all I could think was, “Ryan Klesko is touching my
back!!! Ryan Klesko has his arm around me!!! My left boob is touching
Ryan Klesko’s chest!!!..”. Don’t laugh, that’s actually what I was
thinking!!!! So we took a couple of photos, had a quick drink together.
and I decided to get the hell out of there cause the drunk guy came back
with a camera and I was REALLY embarrassed for Ryan!!! Besides, after
having talked with him on and off for a good half hour, and then getting
a photo with him, I decided that nothing else could top my experience
with him (well... it COULD, but he has a fiancee, ha ha) and I wanted to
leave on a good note. So I thanked him and he smiled widely and said,
“No problem - it was nice meeting you” and I left. What a complete and
total HONEYBUNCH!!!!!!!
Of course the next day I headed immediately to the 1 hour photo place
and got my film developed!!! YUMMY....
So that’s my experience with Rhino!! I had about a billion other things
I wanted to talk with him about, but I either forgot or chickened out.
More stories to come!! You have one to share let me know!!
Adam T's meeting with Ry
Plus his picture of him and Ry, on the same page as the story!!
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