Meeting Giants

​Not sure if you folks on the east know, but we here on the “left” coast have a total of five seasons. The gentle kiss of Spring turns to the dog days of summer, raging into the hell that is our 5th season, Fire. As quickly as the sunsets turn beautiful, the air becomes deadlier. So, a special thanks to gas guzzlers, hamburger eaters, polluters, and deniers. We owe it all to you. 
 
You have to admit, it has been an exciting couple of weeks, and I thought I would celebrate with a Jonathan Winters story. Unlike the let-down of meeting another comic idol, Pat Paulson (perhaps we will cover that story at a later date), meeting Jonathan Winters did not disappoint and was a highlight of my life. Not only was he one of my dad’s favorite comedians, but he also soon became mine as well. His characters and improvisation were legendary, and his legendary capture and stay at the mental institution only sealed my love for my comedy idol.
 
While living in Portland, Art Krug and I were on our way to a Triple-A baseball game and decided to stop at the nearby Mallory Hotel for a drink before the first pitch. Hanging out by himself in the lobby was none other than the man himself, and since an opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime, we decided to say hello.
 
Of course, we told us we were comics and that we had just stopped off for a drink before the game, and before our eyes, the transformation happened. All of a sudden, he was the Commissioner of baseball, pontificating on America’s favorite pastime. It was an entire routine with the voice, the eyes, everything. It was short of brilliant, and it was hilarious. Soon, a crowd gathered, and the routine continued. And then, as quickly as it started, it was over. We thanked him and left, forever changed from our exchange with a true legend of comedy.