In the name of our Lord and Savior . . . can I have your autograph?

Anyone who covered the men's basketball team in Beijing will have some good stories about the Chinese media that descended on practice each day.

My favorite is the guy who brought Kobe Bryant a present on his birthday.

 

It happens post-Olympics, too -- not surprising with the regular visits by NBA stars during the offseason.

 

I remember after David Wells' perfect game, Al Trautwig interviewed him, and at the end of the interview, on air, asked Wells to autograph his scorecard from the game. Wells obliged. I rolled my eyes.

 

Are there any local TV or radio guys doing the games that are not homers? The most critical thinig they might say is that a guy did in fact strikeout the last time at the plate.

Not that suprising that he would do this with his position. I also agree that the girl who worked for sooeypigarkansassports.com should have been smarter than wearing the UF hat while on the clock.

 

Hilarious. Every culture is different, even in sports reporting.

 

Interesting take on both the Tebow and Arkansas incidents:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700058001/Too-often-sports-journalist-is-really-just-a-fan.html

 

Has it come out yet who these autograph seekers work for, even a generic description as in website, radio station?

 

Funniest thing to me in recent memory was a thick-goggled fantasy writer from some dotcom 'accidentally' engaging the starting pitcher in casual conversation. He whined to me that it happened by chance while interviewing another player, and all he said was 'Hey.'

I immediately stepped away. Last thing I need is for the team PR to eyeball my pass and ban me by association. Haven't seen the slimy guy since, either.

Anyhow, is there a real, unwritten etiquette on not wearing team hats to events? I never wear a baseball hat to a baseball game, but I will wear a baseball hat to a football game. It's not out of fandom, but fashion. I like to match.

 

Unless you're on a baseball team and about to play, baseball hats are about as professional as ripped jeans and a wife-beater tank top.

Just my opinion, though. And, seriously, I have no room to talk.

 

Hey now!

I worked for a "fanboi website" when I covered D.C. United, but I never asked for any autographs. Instead, I asked difficult questions about tactics and the like that pissed off the coaches.

 

OK, I have to know: What was the present?

If you want to wear a hat while working, there's only one viable option:

 

Where would one go to buy a hat like that? Anyone know a good place?