iamjs
Registered User
- Oct 1, 2008
- 12,573
- 936
Maybe it was the issue of having it right away instead of waiting 2-3 days for it, like his son could have broke a stick the night before and had a game in a few hours.
I don't know, just guessing.
How Hard Is It To Meet Mario Lemieux In Pittsburgh
- Thread starter tntkid
- Start date
Maybe it was the issue of having it right away instead of waiting 2-3 days for it, like his son could have broke a stick the night before and had a game in a few hours.
I don't know, just guessing.
iamjs
Registered User
- Oct 1, 2008
- 12,573
- 936
I met him during the MLX skate demo last August and talked with him a few minutes. Wasn't anything very private or detailed or something that would be confused as disrespectful. Told him that I drove up from VA for the weekend and the conversation took off from there.
Met Mario once when I was volunteering at his golf tournament. He was INCREDIBLY friendly, and made it a point to meet all of the volunteers and take pictures. He asked me if I played hockey - I'm 6'5" and a good two bills - and after I told him I was studying CS at CMU, he told me that I should help out with the Pens website, because no one at the league liked it. That doesn't sound all that funny, but man, the delivery on it was great.
Can't say enough great things about how friendly he was with everyone, even like, the lowest volunteers. Basically, I can confirm to you what everyone knows: Mario is perfect. As far as intentionally trying to meet him, I think I'd err on the side of caution; Mario is private and while I'm sure he's respectful to a fault, the more aggressive fans get with hounding him, the less likely it is for any of us to see him out and about.
I also randomly saw MAF (and Veronique) at the baggage claim at the airport. I hate to be that fan, so I just said hello en francais and he smiled, said hello back. If you think his smile is big and white on TV, wait until you see it in person.
Can't say enough great things about how friendly he was with everyone, even like, the lowest volunteers. Basically, I can confirm to you what everyone knows: Mario is perfect. As far as intentionally trying to meet him, I think I'd err on the side of caution; Mario is private and while I'm sure he's respectful to a fault, the more aggressive fans get with hounding him, the less likely it is for any of us to see him out and about.
I also randomly saw MAF (and Veronique) at the baggage claim at the airport. I hate to be that fan, so I just said hello en francais and he smiled, said hello back. If you think his smile is big and white on TV, wait until you see it in person.
Der Schweinehund
Registered User
I met Mario along with most of the rest of the Pens in February 2002 in Ottawa at the Chateau Laurier hotel. Was the last game before the 2002 Olympic break.
I ended up being surrounded by Pens in the restaurant as my (future) wife and I were eating breakfast. While I saw at the buffet line and sitting down eating, no way was I going to bug him.
The waitress gave us a tip-off that he was doing a CBC interview in a small, off-to-the-side bar in the hotel and could probably get him after that. Sure enough we walked over there and after the interview, I stood there in my Pens jersey, shaking like a blithering, nervous idiot...frozen solid. He actually then, walking out of the room with an attendant, actually saw me and excused himself from the attendant and walked over to me. I said something completely unrecognizable but fortunately my wife translated and I got a picture with him.
After that though, it was funny, as he proceeded to walk back through the hotel and sit right smack down in the middle of the main lobby in some lounge chairs with a couple other players. The lobby was busy and many people were walking in, jaws dropping and just looking at him. But no one invaded his privacy. Instead they all came over to that lone blithering idiot wearing a Pens jersey and asked me "Is that...?"
Anyhow to make a long story short, the part that amazed me was how down-to-earth he was, quiet and likely uncomfortable with the spotlight, but he knew his role and was able to be there for fans.
I ended up being surrounded by Pens in the restaurant as my (future) wife and I were eating breakfast. While I saw at the buffet line and sitting down eating, no way was I going to bug him.
The waitress gave us a tip-off that he was doing a CBC interview in a small, off-to-the-side bar in the hotel and could probably get him after that. Sure enough we walked over there and after the interview, I stood there in my Pens jersey, shaking like a blithering, nervous idiot...frozen solid. He actually then, walking out of the room with an attendant, actually saw me and excused himself from the attendant and walked over to me. I said something completely unrecognizable but fortunately my wife translated and I got a picture with him.
After that though, it was funny, as he proceeded to walk back through the hotel and sit right smack down in the middle of the main lobby in some lounge chairs with a couple other players. The lobby was busy and many people were walking in, jaws dropping and just looking at him. But no one invaded his privacy. Instead they all came over to that lone blithering idiot wearing a Pens jersey and asked me "Is that...?"
Anyhow to make a long story short, the part that amazed me was how down-to-earth he was, quiet and likely uncomfortable with the spotlight, but he knew his role and was able to be there for fans.
Darth Vitale
Dark Matter
Just want you guys to know I talked to Mario's assistant yesterday and he will be rescheduling his usual visit to Primanti's on Jan 16.
Pensfan1975
Registered User
Hey everyone
Been reading these posts on here forever, but just recently signed up.
I actually had the pleasure of having dinner with Mario back in 2000. He was playing in a golf tournament called Wayne Gretzky and Friends just outside of Halifax. One of our vendors was sponsoring Mario, so I got invited to the event. They had a private dinner one night and we were going to be sitting at the same table as Mario. There were 12 of us at each table. The guys I was with knew I was a big Penguins fan, so when Mario sat down, they told me my seat was the one next to him. Very cool. Got to talk to him the whole evening (he is very quiet) and he invited a couple of us to go with him while he signed some things after dinner.
Funny thing about that night. I asked him if he ever considered coming out of retirement. He said "you never know". 5 months later he played his first game after retirement. One of the guys I was with reminded me what Mario said after he came back.
I got shirt of the Penguins 2 cup victories signed (hangs in my living room). Very nice guy...but very quiet. Others at the event (Gretzky, Mike Weir, Tie Domi, John Davidson) were much more personable...but they weren't Mario.
The next day we were having breakfast at the golf course (we had VIP passes) and he came over to talk for a few minutes. His agent (Steve Bartlett?) gave us upgraded passes for the tournament.
Anyway...a surreal weekend for sure.
Been reading these posts on here forever, but just recently signed up.
I actually had the pleasure of having dinner with Mario back in 2000. He was playing in a golf tournament called Wayne Gretzky and Friends just outside of Halifax. One of our vendors was sponsoring Mario, so I got invited to the event. They had a private dinner one night and we were going to be sitting at the same table as Mario. There were 12 of us at each table. The guys I was with knew I was a big Penguins fan, so when Mario sat down, they told me my seat was the one next to him. Very cool. Got to talk to him the whole evening (he is very quiet) and he invited a couple of us to go with him while he signed some things after dinner.
Funny thing about that night. I asked him if he ever considered coming out of retirement. He said "you never know". 5 months later he played his first game after retirement. One of the guys I was with reminded me what Mario said after he came back.
I got shirt of the Penguins 2 cup victories signed (hangs in my living room). Very nice guy...but very quiet. Others at the event (Gretzky, Mike Weir, Tie Domi, John Davidson) were much more personable...but they weren't Mario.
The next day we were having breakfast at the golf course (we had VIP passes) and he came over to talk for a few minutes. His agent (Steve Bartlett?) gave us upgraded passes for the tournament.
Anyway...a surreal weekend for sure.
I met him at the Carlton restaurant in the Mellon buliding as a kid. This was during his first retirement, i think shortly after he became the owner of the team. My dad bartended there and we stopped in before a game and the waitress brought him down to meet us after he was done with dinner. Probably one of the most memorable moments of my life.
How did Mario not choose?? Not to mention either one could have pulled a Heatley at any moment & got their way.
Darth Vitale
Dark Matter
tntkid
Fire Maurice & Chevy
I was finally able to meet my favorite NHL player Mario Lemieux in Toronto at the Toronto Sports Card Memorabilia Expo.
He was in an awesome mood & super fan friendly.
He posed for pictures & signed lots of great memorabilia for us fans.
Well worth the wait to finally meet #66.
He was in an awesome mood & super fan friendly.
He posed for pictures & signed lots of great memorabilia for us fans.
Well worth the wait to finally meet #66.
DegenX
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Aug 14, 2011
- 14,622
- 5,683
Honour Over Glory
Fire Sully
- Jan 30, 2012
- 77,316
- 42,447
I was finally able to meet my favorite NHL player Mario Lemieux in Toronto at the Toronto Sports Card Memorabilia Expo.
He was in an awesome mood & super fan friendly.
He posed for pictures & signed lots of great memorabilia for us fans.
Well worth the wait to finally meet #66.
Glad you could meet him. I've met the radio guys at Pittsburgh and that is it.
Le Magnifique 66
Let's Go Pens
I was finally able to meet my favorite NHL player Mario Lemieux in Toronto at the Toronto Sports Card Memorabilia Expo.
He was in an awesome mood & super fan friendly.
He posed for pictures & signed lots of great memorabilia for us fans.
Well worth the wait to finally meet #66.
That's awesome. Planing a trip to Pittsburgh hopefully next year and that I have the same luck as you did. Would love it
Richard
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2012
- 2,902
- 2,023
Delivered gym equipment to his old house when I was in my early 20's. He bought us pizza. Meet him a couple times around town, never said anything other than hello or good luck.
I got to skate with Ron Francis a couple times though at Southpoint. That was fun. Mario was there but it was his year off, '94 or '95?, him and Lucky Luc where chatting in French.
Nowadays Mario is the big CEO type, meaning you aren't going to see him unless he wants to be seen.
I got to skate with Ron Francis a couple times though at Southpoint. That was fun. Mario was there but it was his year off, '94 or '95?, him and Lucky Luc where chatting in French.
Nowadays Mario is the big CEO type, meaning you aren't going to see him unless he wants to be seen.
AZPenguins
Registered User
I feel the same way with all celebrities. I enjoy their work but have no desire to meet any of them.
SidGenoMario
Registered User
I was actually just meaning to make this thread, what a concidence. Does anyone know where Mario stays on away games? Like, the chain of hotel? Does anyone happen to know his room number? I've always wanted to meet one of my heroes, and I figure it's not too hard to pick one of those locks
Darth Vitale
Dark Matter
Jacob has some experience in this area. He can tell you the best ways to sneak around any famous athlete's property and lick stuff. The first step is to never wear your happy clown outfit.
Draws too much attention.
Draws too much attention.
Don'tcry4mejanhrdina
Registered User
Jacob has some experience in this area. He can tell you the best ways to sneak around any famous athlete's property and lick stuff. The first step is to never wear your happy clown outfit.
Draws too much attention.
Posing as a meter reader works like a charm.
ZapRowsdower13
Ticklish Tummy Tumx2
Don'tcry4mejanhrdina
Registered User
Our awful performance over the past few games had me....this thread turned that frown
I wonder if there's beer on the sun....
BreakfastatMarios
Registered User
I met him once in rl, was the damdest thing too, I was walking out of USX building just after he bought the team out of bankruptcy I went through revolving door to 10 or so reporters and thought WTF, I'm just taking a smoke break, didn't think this was 6 o clock news worthy, and he was right behind me in same revolving door, I kinda just stood by the reporters and watched him.
Darth Vitale
Dark Matter
I always wonder about those guys... punk-ass meter readers up to no good!
Don'tcry4mejanhrdina
Registered User
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