In 2002, two Phoenix Suns fans from Guatemala got to experience something that the rest of us could only imagine. This is their story.
The anniversary of the day the Phoenix Suns acquired Anfernee Hardaway from the Orlando Magic was August 4. On Twitter, I asked fans to share their favorite Penny memories. Below is one such memory that was too fun not to re-share.
With his permission, below I have the story that Alvaro Pensabene of Guatemala shared with me, telling of the time he flew out to Phoenix to “interview” Suns star Penny Hardaway, a dream of many Suns fans, young and old, at that time.
Alvaro showed me numerous photos of his interview and the surrounding games, further illustrating how cool the entire situation was.
"The year was 2002, the lead character a 23-year-old “boy” who has been a Phoenix Suns fan since Charles Barkley arrived in Phoenix.Born and living in Guatemala, the odds of meeting and having a conversation with an NBA player are slim to none. In an effort of having my dream come true, I decided to embark in an adventure.The plan was simple, write an email to someone in the Suns organization asking for an interview to a player and then fly to Phoenix.Of course, the plan led to a lot of questions. Where should I begin? How in the world was I ever going to get in touch with someone inside the Suns that could help me achieve my dream? Why on earth would they give an interview to a 23-year-old civil engineer from Guatemala?My plan began by creating a fake job at a TV Guide-like magazine here in Guatemala. I then decided to write emails to reporters who covered the team in order to get a contact inside the Suns. When I finally got the contact, I wrote an email asking for the interview and explaining that the NBA was an up and coming sport here in my country, and that I wanted to help Basketball grow.The days passed and no answer.Suddenly, on Wednesday November 20th I got an email from someone in the Phoenix Suns Organization! I could not believe what I was reading, they had arranged an interview with Penny Hardaway on Wednesday November 27th at noon.Immediately I called a travel agency and bought a plane ticket to Phoenix traveling from Guatemala on Sunday November 24th and returning on Thursday November 28th, yes, thanksgiving day.Then, the first curve ball, a few emails that looked like this:-Me: What hotel would you guys recommend so that I don’t need to rent a car?-Suns: Why do you need a hotel? The interview we have arranged for you is a phone interview.-Me: Oh my God! I already bought plane tickets and arrive in Phoenix on Sunday. Please help me.-Suns: Mmm…. I will see what we can do. But I can’t promise anything.-Suns: Ok. It’s ready; you will interview Penny at noon in our facilities.-Me: THANK YOU! I will see you there Tuesday.Tuesday could not come quick enough, but I still had to figure out a few things. What questions should I ask the guy? Do I need a camera man? Are they going to ask for ID’s?But the biggest question in my head was: What have I gotten into!?We checked into the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sunday, and when I say “we,” it’s because I took my 19-year-old brother as my camera man. They gave us two tickets to watch the Suns play the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday and two more to watch the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.The night before the interview, while at the game, we bought a TON of stuff so that the players could autograph. I mean, jerseys, cards, basketballs, pictures, hats, etc.As a side note, during the Nets game sitting right next to me wearing his NBA Championship Ring was Rod Thorn, at the time the New Jersey Nets General Manager. Very nice guy by the way.Finally Tuesday, the day of the interview. We arrived at AWA (America West Arena at the time) handy cam and bags full of items in hand. We waited for a while and then, the second curve ball:– “You guys here for an interview or an autograph session? Please leave your shopping bags at the door and follow me.”Oh oh! We left the bags at the door and followed the person to the training court. They then told us:-“You can sit here and watch the practice. When practice is over you will start the interview. I’ll come back in a while and introduce you guys to Penny. Please don’t bother the players.“I could not believe where I was sitting, practice court in AWA watching my favorite players train. Stephon Marbury, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tom Gugliotta, Shawn Marion, Jake Tsakalidis, Scott Williams, Bo Outlaw and of course, Penny Hardaway.A few minutes later, Penny approaches us and asks if we were the guys that were doing the interview. We began the interview and had a blast talking with him. We talked for no more than 20 minutes and then took some pictures with him and gave him a few traditional gifts from Guatemala.After the interview was over the person from the Suns came to us and told us:-“Go get your bags and get as much autographs as you can. If a player says no, please don’t insist. After that, I will give a tour of the arena so you guys can take pictures.”By this time, I guess they figured something was not right. Two guys with a handy cam had beaten the system. We got A LOT of autographs, pictures, got to shoot basketballs in the main court and just had the perfect day.After that day, I kept in touch with the people that worked with the Suns and they sent me via mail bobbleheads and memorabilia.And that is the story of how I was able to accomplish one of my dreams."
The Phoenix Suns staff that helped Alvaro and his brother out were obviously good sports and if they truly did figure out that he and his brother were not reporters, they still allowed them to enjoy their time in Phoenix as fans.
Thank you to Alvaro for sharing his experience! It truly is one of the greatest fan stories you’ve never hear.