Cool Connections #2: Ichiro Meets Obama

Before President Obama threw out the first pitch at Tuesday's All-Star Game, he met Ichiro in the American League clubhouse.

"My idea, when I saw him, was to say, 'What's up?'", Ichiro explained through his interpreter. "But there was no way I could do it. You know, he has that kind of aura about him. So I got nervous and I didn't say that to him. I was a little disappointed about that."

Instead, Ichiro simply said, "It’s an honor to meet you, sir."

"I realized after seeing him today that presidents wear jeans, too," he remarked after the game. "So my hope is that our skipper, [Don] Wakamatsu, was watching that and we can wear jeans on our flights as well."

Though the players had supposedly been told they couldn't get autographs, Obama offered to sign a ball for Ichiro, who gladly accepted. (Obama reportedly told Ichiro's American League teammate Curtis Granderson that he's a big Ichiro fan.) Ichiro is obviously giddy about the meeting in this video, which is probably how I'd react if I ever met Ichiro.

It Was 30 Years Ago Today: Seattle Hosts the 50th All-Star Game

Here are my recollections, and here's a cool Uniwatch recap.

The Most Valuable Player was Dave Parker (above); the Most Valuable Fan was Morganna the Kissing Bandit (below).

Happy Tenth, Safeco!

Safeco Field hits the big one-oh today.

That is, Safeco hosted its first game ten years ago today. Two days later I saw my first game there, on July 17, 1999, in which Raul Ibanez hit the first Mariner home run at the park.

It Was 30 Years Ago Today: Disco Demolition Night

Here's a recent New York Times article on the subject, and here's my own article. Check the footage below.

The Onion Thinks the Space Needle is Actually from Outer Space

Just like Homer Simpson.

See here.

Happy 233rd, America!

The United States hits the big two-three-three today.

Which is simply an excuse to share this kickass poster.

Happy 62nd, Larry!

Curb Your Enthusiasm's comic genius Larry David hits the big six-two today.

Here he is with J.B. Smoove, the guy who played Trucky in Pootie Tang.