Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

I first came across Natalie Platt while researching an online piece for Global Traveler.  When we last saw Platt, she was pictured with Boston Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky.  Today, I am featuring Platt with her friends and Miss A-Miracle, the mascot of the Ft. Myers Miracle.  I am hoping this look at summer baseball in Florida will make me feel a bit warmer as winter settles into Chicago.
Platt was an intern for the Miracle, a minor league team owned by Mike Veeck.  Platt also wrote a very interesting blog.  I believe it has undergone a few name changes, but was last called West Palm Beach Twentysomething.  It appears that it hasn't been updated in a couple months.  I really hope Platt brings it back to life at some point.  She had a fresh voice and produced some insightful pieces.
In the meantime, I will sit back and enjoy the photo below.  It screams summertime fun.  Right now, I am screaming for anything summer-related!

Natalie Platt (third from the right), her friends and Miss A-Miracle in Ft. Myers, FL-Mid 2000's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I first encountered Natalie Platt while doing research for an online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Platt was working as 'Head Intern' for the Fort Myers Miracle, a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
A few months ago, Platt appeared in Friendly Encounters with George Toma, a legendary groundskeeper. Today, (since the White Sox are in Boston) Platt is featured with Johnny Pesky, a Red Sox legend.
Pesky played for the Red Sox in the 40's and 50's, before finishing his career with stints in Detroit and Washington. He managed the Red Sox in 1963 and '64 and briefly in '80. He has worked in several roles for the Red Sox organization since '69. The Red Sox retired his number (bending their own rules for that honor) and have officially named the right field foul pole as Pesky's Pole. Pesky is a living legend in the Boston Red Sox community.
The Miracle currently are in 1st place in the West division of the Florida State League. They are looking forward to another successful run in the playoffs.

Natalie Platt and Johnny Pesky in Fort Myers, FL-late 00's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I have only known Natalie Platt for a short time. Platt is one of the fascinating people I have encountered while doing research for various pieces for Global Traveler magazine's website. The piece I wrote on Platt will run on 4/15/09.
Platt is a native of Bloomington (IN) and is a student at Indiana University. Platt is also 'Head Intern' for the Fort Myers Miracle, a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
Platt hopes for a career in sports, perhaps as Director of Media Relations for an mlb team. In the meantime, she works tirelessly and energetically at her job, which includes being in charge of all on-field promotions and writing for the Miracles in-season programs.
Platt is also writing a blog, Baseball in Stilettos, to chronicle her experience with the Miracle. Already off to a great start, she hopes to continue to get unique stuff, along with the regular baseball activities.
Platt's efforts and attitude caught the eye of legendary groundskeeper George Toma (aka the God of Sod). Toma gave Platt an autographed copy of his book, 'Nitty Gritty Dirt Man' for her 22nd birthday. Within the heartfelt inscription, Toma credits Platt with having "and then some", one of his famous lines indicating Platt goes well above and beyond the average person at everything.
Platt is having a good time and making great impressions. I think Platt will go a long way in her chosen field. Hopefully, one day when she is a big cheese for some major league club, she will remember me with a couple of tickets to a game!

Natalie Platt and George Toma in Fort Myers, FL-Summer 2008.