Phillies pitcher Scott Mathieson was a big “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” fan growing up, so imagine the major leaguer’s surprise when he found himself sharing a cross-country flight with Paul Reubens, the former comedian who portrayed Pee Wee Herman in TV and film during the 1980s.

They were on their way to Sarasota, where Reubens grew up and his mother still lives, and the pair hit it off and became friends. Mathieson actually left tickets for Reubens for Sunday’s spring training game.

Sadly, PHILLIES.MLB.COM tells us (third item from the bottom) that Reubens cancelled on Mathieson and never made it to the game. I guess somebody finally told him that the Grapefruit League doesn’t have private viewing booths. So much for the fan-friendlier experience.