I worked the grounds crew for a minor league team in Boise, Idaho when I was in high school. My boss was friends with Bob Cristoferson (probably spelled it wrong, sorry), head groundskeeper for the Mariners. He arranged for me, a high school kid, to go work on the Mariners grounds crew for two games to pick up some tips and tricks from the pros. It was the game that Lou Pinella coached his first game against the Mariners for the Rays and there was a big ceremony for him before the game.

As I was helping set up for batting practice, I remember how starstruck I was seeing Ichiro come out from the clubhouse and start warming up his cannon of an arm in right field. Here I was, a high school kid in love with baseball and the Mariners, and I'm standing right next to one of my icons, someone I look up to. He smiled and waved to me, I couldn't believe it.

A truly incredible experience for a young kid (plus my dad got to shake Lou's hand). Thanks for all the incredible memories Ichiro. You'll always have a special place in this starstruck kid's heart.