I encountered Reggie twice. First time was at the 89 all star game. He wasn't playing but was there, because he's reggie and a Newport Beach guy. I walked up to him and he signed my ball for me. He signed a bunch of other stuff. Maybe this was mellow, non playing Reggie.
About 10 years ago I had just finished a round at Newport Beach CC, and he walked up to the area where you check in, and asked me if I wanted to play a round with him. He couldn't have been cooler. He was looking to play for money, and I figure even at $20 a hole, losing $360 to say I played a round with Reggie and lost $360 to him would be cool. However, I was in the Newport regatta, and there was an awards dinner. My father in law would have shot me if I would have missed the awards banquet (we won father and son competition over John Ireland and his father.) The whole night I sat there bummed thinking I could have been finishing up 18 with Reg.
YOT, I know that kind of experience. Magic Johnson did that same thing to me at the Tonight Show backstage. I was the only NBC person there, and it would have taken him 10 seconds to sign the basketball I had in my office. He was a dick. Everyone loves Magic, and I think he's the biggest asshole on the planet. I totally get you hating Reggie. I imagine when it comes down to it, most celebs/sports stars have either earned eternal adoration or hate because of an encounter.