EdwardDrayton
01-03-2023, 05:28 PM
There will be more to share about the trip to Tampa in the coming days but will first share a little giggle moment.
Am standing with my son in a well-known Tampa landmark when I glance down the hall. I immediately recognize the very distinctive --- at least to me --- gentleman pulling cash from the ATM. However with the man being dressed in gym shorts, flip flops and a Diamondbacks T-shirt and no one causing any kind of commotion around him, my son is skeptical. But my wife will attest to my knack for recognizing folks as it happened more than a few times when I worked in Manhattan.
And as he turns to come toward us, the hobble in his step is a dead giveaway. I had seen that same limp just a week before in a tournament with his son.
"How ya' feeling John?", I asked. "Better", he replied, a broad smile breaking.
"It's good to see you", I said without any intent of asking for a picture or bringing attention to his presence.
"Thank you" he said and ambled on down the hall. Saw him a couple more times before we left but did not bother him as no one had recognized him and he was just enjoying a fun New Year's Day.
Have always been a fan but never had a moment with him until then.
Justin Thomas calls him Bad Santa. Most of us have always known him as Long John. But to me my chance encounter only set in stone that he is a very kind, down-to-earth, genuine Southern man that I've always believed him to be.
Will always be one of many memorable moments of our time in Tampa.
Am standing with my son in a well-known Tampa landmark when I glance down the hall. I immediately recognize the very distinctive --- at least to me --- gentleman pulling cash from the ATM. However with the man being dressed in gym shorts, flip flops and a Diamondbacks T-shirt and no one causing any kind of commotion around him, my son is skeptical. But my wife will attest to my knack for recognizing folks as it happened more than a few times when I worked in Manhattan.
And as he turns to come toward us, the hobble in his step is a dead giveaway. I had seen that same limp just a week before in a tournament with his son.
"How ya' feeling John?", I asked. "Better", he replied, a broad smile breaking.
"It's good to see you", I said without any intent of asking for a picture or bringing attention to his presence.
"Thank you" he said and ambled on down the hall. Saw him a couple more times before we left but did not bother him as no one had recognized him and he was just enjoying a fun New Year's Day.
Have always been a fan but never had a moment with him until then.
Justin Thomas calls him Bad Santa. Most of us have always known him as Long John. But to me my chance encounter only set in stone that he is a very kind, down-to-earth, genuine Southern man that I've always believed him to be.
Will always be one of many memorable moments of our time in Tampa.