Meeting a Champion

During baseball season, I try to make it out to some of the free Dodger signings around Southern California.  Those signings should start back up again once the team leaves Arizona and comes back to LA for the regular season.  Today, I went to a different type of autograph signing.

I ventured out to Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA to meet Gold Medal figure skater and dancing star, Kristi Yamaguchi.  She just came out with a children's book called "It's a Big World, Little Pig."  Yamaguchi read the book and fielded questions in a short Q&A session.

The crowd was a decent size.  The bookstore had around 50 chairs set up for this event and most of them were filled with some people standing on the perimeter.  The event was super chill as compared to the crazy nature that some Dodger signings turn into to.

After, the Q&A session, the Vroman employees called everyone row by row to get i line to meet Yamaguchi and get your book signed.  This system went orderly.  The crowd was polite and everybody waited there turn.  No one cut in line. Not one person got pushed by another.  I had no idea that autograph sessions with famous athletes could be so peaceful.

I was in the last row so, I just waited patiently for my turn.  Yamaguchi was nice enough to sign this card for me, even though no outside items were allowed.  This is one of my favorite Ginter cards and it looks great signed by an American gold medalist.

I also go the kid's book signed for my sister.  I guess I should give it to her since, she was nice enough to send me an email notifying me of this event.  My sister also knew that I would show up to meet Yamaguchi because I collect autographs of sports stars and Yamaguchi is pretty.

I was so nervous to meet her.  When I meet a Dodger, I am not too scared or starstruck.  I see the Dodgers play a ton of games each year.  I see Matt Kemp more often than I see my closest friends.  But, seeing Yamaguchi in person made me nervous.  She has the glow and beauty of a champion.  The glow threw me off.  Luckily, I could get out some words and she was kind enough to take a photo with me.

Thanks to Vroman's Bookstore and to Kristi Yamaguchi!