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Long time lurker here. I follow from Saint Louis, but grew up in Auburn and am a lifelong Ms fan. Love the site and the great, intellectual back and forth. I'm a professional philosopher, so it draws me in. :)
I wanted to comment on this thread because I had a great experience as a kid that highlights how Edgar was the opposite of what Jeter is. I'm in 6th grade or so, and I'm at an Ms game in the Kingdom. After the game, the players leave through an exit to the parking lot where kids wait just outside the barriers to try to get player autographs. A few of the players will walk slowly along the lines signing autographs for whoever wants one. Then there was Griffey, probably like 19 or 20 at the time. He walks quickly through the line signing a few cards but not looking at anyone. I try to get him to sign my Griffey, Jr. Fleer rookie card, but no luck. No big deal; I'm sure he's got places to go. He wasn't mean or anything, just not generous. (I've never tried to get Jeter's autograph, but I would guess he would be like Griffey was.)
After feeling disappointed, I'm walking away from the line, and back about 30 yards or so from the line there's a little grassy hill, outside the barricades with all the fans, where you could stand in the shade and sort of look down on the whole affair. Up there I spot two young Latinos; they look like maybe they're players. I sheepishly walk up to them and ask if they are players. They nod their heads. They have a smile that's *almost* a smirk as they watch the whole scene, as if they think the whole affair of this young Kid with all the kids trying to get autographs is a bit silly. Too bad I couldn't speak Spanish. They were just hanging out and no doubt would have been willing to shoot the breeze. I didn't have cards of them, so I asked them to sign my hat. No hesitation, they gave me their autographs, and continued to just hang out in the midst of the fans. As I walked back to the line, I read the signatures: Omar Visquel and Edgar Martinez.
Man I wish I still had that hat.