High roller a big hit at Fatburger

Among the multitude of high-roller stories reported here over the years, this one has been one of my favorites because of the surprise ending.

Some readers may recall the first half of the story.

A high-roller fresh from a big turnaround at Bellagio walked into the Fatburger across from the Monte Carlo in the wee hours.

Within minutes, he was in the kitchen area, handing out $100 bills to the cooks.

Politely asked to leave, he started spreading the wealth among the diners, doling out thousands of C-notes.

To me he was just another anonymous big spender.

About three years ago I was in Tabu, the ultralounge at MGM Grand, when I saw an old friend approach with a stunning galpal.

After a round of introductions, my friend's girlfriend turned to him and asked, "Can I tell him?"

My friend smiled broadly and gave the OK.

"Remember that story about the high-roller you wrote about who gave everyone $100 at that Fatburger?"

Pointing to my friend, she said, "That was Charlie."

It was Charlie Monfort, co-owner of the Colorado Rockies.

WORLD SERIES NOTES

Had lunch Saturday at Sam's No. 3 Diner, one of the best breakfast joints in Denver, with a group that included old friend Steve Katich, former executive director of the Denver Baseball Commission.

It was Steve who brought local attorney John McHale Jr., a key player in Denver's bid for a team, into the effort. McHale's ties to baseball's inner circle gave Denver a respected baseball name as the early point man. He had watched his father, John, put together the Montreal Expos from scratch.

John Jr., now vice president of administration for Major League Baseball, was in Las Vegas a couple years ago when Mayor Oscar Goodman was courting the relocation-minded Florida Marlins and Expos.

Also at lunch with us was divorce attorney Larry Trachtenberg, who grew up in Boston. His father, Stanley, 81, was a Red Sox fan to the end. He was barely alive when the Red Sox lost the first three games of the 2004 American League Championship Series to the Yankees. "But he held on," Trachtenberg said.

Forty-five minutes after Boston won Game 7 against the Yankees, the family got the call that Stanley had just died.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

In Denver for the Series: Dave Kirvin, founder of the Las Vegas public relations giant Kirvin Doak, with his 7-year-old son, Jack, whose two favorite teams are in the World Series. "He's agonizing," said his father, who grew up in Denver, worked in sports radio and was a sportswriter for the Denver Post.

And what are the odds, with almost 50,000 people in the Rockies' ballpark, that I'd end up seated next to a guy from Las Vegas? On my left, 16 rows back from first base, was Seve Lind, director of golf at Canyon Gate for seven years, until he returned home to Fort Collins this year. ...

Denver's Union Station, built in 1881, is the site of an impressive expression of civic pride as the city rallies around the Rockies. The entire facade is illuminated in purple, complete with a supersized CR, the Rockies' logo. Another impressive display shows the outline of a mountain and the team logo on the skyline by leaving office lights on in one of the taller buildings. ...

I caught up to Barry Bonds as he was leaving Gavin Maloof's housewarming party Thursday at Southern Hills Golf Club and asked whether he would have a minute to comment on the World Series. "I don't do that," Bonds said, without breaking stride. "Never have, never will. You know better than that." Glad I didn't ask him about some really sensitive issues.

SIGHTINGS

Tennis icon Billie Jean King, campaigning Saturday for Hillary Clinton in a Peccole Ranch neighborhood. ... Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Rowand, taking in the NHRA ACEDelco Las Vegas Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. ... At Pure nightclub Friday (Caesars Palace): music mogul Timbaland, singer Dave Matthews, actor Jaleel White, singer Ryan Cabrera, boxer Sergio Mora and mixed-martial artist Frank Trigg. ...

THE PUNCH LINE

This has been the biggest evacuation in California history, breaking the record set in 2003 by the airlift of 700,000 children fleeing Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.