Early Friday morning I headed over to LaGuardia to pick up my friend Hank Aaron. Hank was coming in for a private signing at my office and then a public appearance at Last Licks Thornwood. He was mobbed, as usual, at the airport. We quickly (well- as quick as a 73 year old and me on a broken foot can move) made it to the car and, within seconds, the Mets-Braves talk began. Hank and I have been going back and forth arguing the NL East for four years and I don't see it stopping anytime soon.
Hank signed in private for most of the afternoon. We got some of the strongest Aaron product ever. Not only did he sign bats, batting helmets and jerseys but I was also able to get a small amount of baseballs with inscriptions. After several hours of signing (and a few bowls of soup- Hank loves soup) we headed over to Thornwood for the appearance. There was a huge line awaiting us. I am always amazed at how well Aaron does in public. I understand how big he is but he is still not a New York player. That really shows how much people love him. There was a huge line of Mets and Yankees fans anxiously waiting to meet a Braves (It was awesome). Hank was unbelievable with the people. He took photos with practically everyone and really seemed to enjoy talking to the kids. After the appearance I drove Aaron back to his hotel. Again we were mobbed in the lobby (I have never heard the words Mr. Aaron more in life than Friday). After escaping the crowd I finally got him up to his room and we parted ways. I am hoping to make it down to Atlanta for the next Mets/Braves series. It will definitely be pretty surreal for the Braves fans to see Mr. Aaron walking around with a guy wearing an Oliver Perez jersey and a Mets cap.
Despite the constant fighting about our teams Hank and I have gotten really tight over the past few years. It was great to see him doing so well and I am already looking forward to his next visit.
Check back later for a preview of the upcoming week.