One spring I told him about a band I had just seen in concert over in Clearwater, a hot band that opened up for George Thorogood. They were called Los Lonely Boys (okay, many of us have heard of them now, but they hadn't hit it big yet, and I was thoroughly impressed by the live show). I told him they were a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughn and Santana, and I thought it was something he would like.

Bernie nodded his head, and when he walked away, I figured he probably hadn't heard a word I just said.

About four months later, Bernie walked past me in the Yankee clubhouse as he was leaving after a game. He was already 5 steps past me when he yells, "Hey!" I turned around, and he's holding up the Los Lonely Boys CD. "Good call, man," he says, flashing a thumbs up.