It was a hot stretch of days in July 2005, and the Dodgers were playing at Coors Field. One evening, I was at my usual assignment on the switchboard. All the phones at Coors Field are set up with voice mail for the permanent employees. There are several extensions available for the courtesy of some members of the visiting team - visiting manager, visiting GM, visiting trainer, etc. Obviously - no voice mail boxes have been set up on these, since they always are assigned on a temporary basis. When a call to a direct line isn't answered, it goes to voice mail, but not the temp assignments, they ring back to the main switchboard.

The tone for an incoming call sounded, and I saw that a call to the visiting manager had not been answered and was ringing back to me. I answered and inquired - who is calling please? A pleasant voice answered "Sandy Koufax." My stomach hit the floor - was I really speaking with Sandy Koufax? I offered to take a message and pointed out that infield practice had begun and the team was on the field, with Jim Tracy probably watching from the dugout. He said "oh, that's right, I forgot about the time change. I'll call his cell phone."

Trying not to stutter, I assured him that if for any reason his message doesn't go through, please call me back, I will be very pleased to take a message. He thanked me and hung up.

Next day I stood by the elevator near the home locker room on my way to work. Vin Scully left the Rox locker room, crossed the hallway, and stood beside me. I decided that even if we are instructed never to open a conversation with a team member or other famous person, I could not let this moment go by.

I introduced myself and told him it was a pleasure to say hello in person.

He smiled, and we began to discuss the weather, our grandchildren (he has 14, but only one redhead! Seems to think he should be entitled to more than one redhead). the Elevator took MUCH longer than it usually does, and I was really enjoying myself. He seemed to be having a nice time, too. Lots of smiling. When we boarded the elevator I had one floor up to go, so as I left him on his way to the press box, I welcomed him to Coors Field. He thanked me, calling me by my name.

Those two brief encounters are two of the highlights of my years working at Coors Field, and I am always ready to bore another audience by repeating them.