It was around 6 PM when I finally left work tonight. I had had a quietly efficient day creating an index page for a website, despite the fact plumbers cut into ancient pipe in a gash in the floor 10 feet away from my work area, and a mixture of odors filled the air during the afternoon. Tomorrow, the floor would be opened more, so I helped Tim move items off of a shelf unit in the server room, and then move the shelf unit, and then a refrigerator and items on a rolling cart because we learned the exploration work we thought would be in the server roomwould actually happen in the furnace outside the server room.

I had my Anza book with me at work and I knew I wanted to try and get farther in it decision, so I had decided to go over to the law library at UNM, but I needed some sustenance first, so I recalled that Golden Pride on Lomas was on my way from work downtown to the library, and it was a good place to grab a bite.

It was ho-hum. I went in to the small busy restaurant and ordered a plate of enchiladas. I filled my cup with drink at the soda ninja machine. I went to the only open table near the store entrance and sat down. I fiddled with my phone while I waited for my food.

“Number 32”, I finally heard.

I picked up my styrofoam carton of happiness, wnet back to my table, and then ate as other people wandered in and out of the place.

I was pretty much done with my meal when I looked up from my table, straight ahead, at the small line in front of the counter. And there he was, in street clothes, talking to the clerk behind the window, picking up his bagged cartons of New Mexico happiness.

And then he turned and walked toward me, toward the exit, and he looked at me, so I spoke. “Hey, Coach- good evening- not sure you know me but…”

“Hey, I know you”, he exclaimed, his tone familiar and friendly.

“I’ve never met you but I am always talking to you online. I’m Bruce…”

“I know you, sure” he again stated as he shook my hand, with a smile on his face.

I’ve known of him for quite a few years now. Coach Birmingham is the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos baseball team- a team that has fielded some remarkable clubs and players in the near decade he’s been running things. It’s because of him that I started going to Lobo baseball games probably 7 or 8 years ago. His kids can always hit, and their bats seem to improve during each season.

Birmingham has taken his Lobos to the NCAA tournament in 5 of his 9 years as head coach at UNM. He’s won Mountain West titles, and he’s also won a junior college national championship. He’s seen a number of his players scouted and picked up for the pros. He loves baseball. He loves Lobo baseball. He loves winning. And he loves his New Mexico.

I’ve known of Ray for quite a few years now, and have been connected to him on Facebook for two or so. But tonight was a great moment to meet a New Mexico legend.

“You’ll have to come out for a practice! We’re on the field Tuesdays through Saturdays at 2:00. You’re welcome to come out and see the team. And, of course, we have an alumni game this weekend- be nice to see you!”

“Sounds great, Coach. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Good to see you too, Bruce” he says as he releases my grip and nods, and then turns with his bag of meals and heads for the door.

Nobody else in the restaurant probably knew what happened this evening, but I was overjoyed to meet a man whose work- shaping players, winning games, and building men- I’ve been enjoying for a number of years now.

It was certainly a bonus when that guy met my introduction with an “I know you.”

I went on to the UNM law library after dinner and realized it would close in an hour and a half, and that wasn’t long enough for me to try and make progress in this book. I left, and drove on to Flying Star, and managed to get through 3 more pages in the Anza book.

But I already had my excellent story for the night.

Nice to finally meet you, Coach. Here’s to the 2017 Lobos. I’m stoked to see what the team does this season. Let’s go to Omaha.