Most of us who watched Wednesday night's episode of Costas Now, which featured a very special Buzz n' Will reunion, did so from the comfort of our couches. However, BLS contributor Nick Friedell stayed behind after the All-Star game and was able to file a report from the scene. His account comes after the jump:

Evan Longoria couldn't take it anymore. He reached for a box of baseballs and plucked two out. The Rays 'third baseman knew he may never get this chance again. Willie Mays and Hank Aaron were sitting right in front of him. He had to get their autographs (right).

Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the green room at the HBO Sports' Costas Now special Wednesday night in New York City.

I was backstage before the event and it seemed that everywhere I turned, there was another famous baseball figure, movie star or MSM-blogger war veteran. Over in one corner there was Jim Palmer. On the other side of the room, there was Billy Crystal and Arte Moreno. Will Leitch and Buzz Bissinger shot the breeze over by the food and appeared to remain civil.

But at the center of the room — and the show — sat the two stars of the night — Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Both men held court like the diamond kings they are, as a continuous stream of people came by to pay homage and maybe ask for a signature.

The highlight of the night came when Aaron and Mays took the stage for the taping. The pair discussed a wide range of topics that had most audience members on the edge of their seats and after the HBO television portion of the show came to a close, Costas told everyone that they would be filming a short five-minute post-interview with the pair for HBO.com,

"I'm sure you all will enjoy," said Costas.

To which an audience member quickly responded, "We'd stay all night with these two."

If Mays had had his way, we probably would have. A short interview that was only scheduled for five minutes turned into one of the most interesting interviews ever captured between the two men. It was so good that HBO has decided it will air the interview in its entirety at a later date.

Mays seemed to truly enjoy the moment, discussing, among other things, how difficult it is to get players in this era to listen to advice from retired players, including himself. What came across most in hearing these men speak is their passion for the game. The two men really love the game of baseball.

As I walked back into the green room after the taping had ended, Mays was sitting on his perch, taking the whole scene in. "You stole the show, Willie!" Dave Winfield said to Mays as he walked back in.

On this night, like he had on so many others, he certainly did.