Like tens of thousands of other travelers, my only goal on Friday afternoon was to beat the odds and get in and out of DFW Airport as quickly as possible.
Despite all the rains and flooding in the area, my arrival went fairly smoothly. The flight was actually early, but of course, the gate was not ready.
Had my connecting flight been blessed with a full flight crew present, I would have at least had a shot for an on-time departure. As it turned out, it was fortunate I had to stay an hour longer.
After editing and posting a couple of articles, I was left to wait somewhat impatiently in the gate area. Much to my surprise, a few yards away stood Scott Boras and an associate, dressed in jeans and matching blue fleece pullovers adorned with a stylized baseball field and “B” logo, representing The Boras Corporation.
With my voice recorder always present in my briefcase, I quickly tried to mentally assemble a list of questions for the most famous player agent in sports. Ultimately, because of the logistics challenges, I decided to not request an interview.
After 15-20 minutes, I did, however, approach the two, who were standing close to the main concourse, bothered by no one. Siding up to Boras, I asked him quietly, “Are you often able to travel without being noticed?” Without even being startled, he turned and replied in a matter-of-fact way, “Baseball fans are the ones who recognize me.”
I introduced myself and learned his traveling associate is a Boras Corp. VP and another former minor leaguer, Mike Fiore. I had initially confused the 1988 Olympian with former Royal and Cardinal major leaguer Mike Fiore. As a result, I said to him, “Oh, I know who you are.”
Turns out both Boras Corporation employees reached Double-A in the Cardinals system. Fiore was the organization’s 15th round selection in 1988 while Boras signed with the Cardinals as a free agent.
I learned the two were not on my flight, but the next flight at the same gate. They were on their way to Oklahoma City for a client visit.
Among the subjects in our informal chat were Matt Holliday and Bill DeWitt, Jr. About the Cardinals left fielder, Boras asked and received confirmation from me that Holliday and St. Louis were a perfect match. Only half-jokingly, the agent said that he has told the outfielder that unless he plays until he is 42, he will have no more use for Boras’ services.
The respect that Boras holds for the chairman of the Cardinals seems deep and real – as the owner of a baseball team, a successful businessman and as a person.
I asked Boras his view on several other points but did not state they were on the record, so I will leave them out.
I will close by noting that the agent predicts rougher waters ahead for the game in the labor relations area exacerbated by the changing dynamics in MLB hierarchy and team ownership.
By that time, Group 4 boarding had been announced for my flight, so I quickly but reluctantly took leave of Boras and Fiore, joking with the latter that I think he still advanced farther than the former as a player. They seemed to take my poking fun at myself in stride.
As it turned out, my brief time in Dallas on Friday was most eventful, but not for the reason I expected.
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