Star sightings in Providence

[jesus marion joseph]

So mrs. jmj and me were in Providence this evening, and went to the Capitol Grille for dinner. Seated a couple of tables over were Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison (as well as one other player, whom I didn't recognize) from the Colts. James was wearing a baseball hat, backwards, in the dining room, which was what first drew my attention to him. When a guy who looked like Michael Ervin stopped by their table to chat and swap war stories, I realized who I was looking at.

Ervin was at a table on the other side of the dining room with the ESPN gang. Chris Berman, Keith Jackson, Steve Young, and others whom I couldn't make out. Ervin was quite the attraction in the dining room, as he couldn't go more than two or three steps without having to stop and shake hands with another table. Saw him kiss some bald guy's head.

The best part, though, was that we were given three (3) free desserts to take home wiht us because it took the kitchen 45 minutes to cook our dinners (two dry-aged and hand cut steaks, rare).

The waiter told me that opposing teams often stay in Providence when they play the Pats, and many of the players eat at the CG. I can see why; TF Green is a jillion times easier to get in and out of than Logan, the drive time to Foxboro is about the same as it is from Boston, and I'm guessing the rooms are a bit cheaper in Providence, too.

BTW, Buddy Cianci's private booze locker is no more at the Grille.

[Gentle Giant]

I hope you pulled a Tanya Harding and smacked Harrison in the knee with a crowbar.

[jesus marion joseph]

'Fraid not, GG. Considered asking the kitchen to give James a "bad" lobster, though!

[Enforcer]

When the Pistons were playing the NBA Finals, the Starbucks I stop by on my way to work every day was filling huge orders for people wearing media credentials. The Palace is just down the street from our office, so during practices the teams would be there and so would the media.

When someone makes a big order, they write names on all the cups so people know whose drink is for who. I saw lots of folks walk in, but none of the players. Mehmet Okur used to stop there on the way to the Palace sometimes, but I saw no Lakers. I asked the manager to make sure to use the curdled milk if he saw the name "Kobe" or "Shaq" on a cup. Never happened, I guess.

[Dr Dave]

Proof, if any more were needed, that Providence, RI is in the running for Next Big Thing. Well, Big (Small) Thing. Whatever.

I had one Celebrity Sports Sighting in my entire life. It was at the bar at the Eliot Hotel, in 1978, and there was this gangly guy in a big plaid shirt: The poet, the iconoclast, the consummate entertainer, the one, the only, Bill Lee.
I was not in my right mind at the time, so I did not presume to approach said Celebrity for an Autograph or whatever interpersonal relationship was considered appropriate in the aforenamed year. I also remember that later that evening I went to a party where somebody asked me whether disco sucked. As the question was asked, on came "Disco Inferno" and I said "Yes, it all sucks...except for this.) That was the same evening as the Cockroach Pride campaign...never mind...