 Saturday, August 26, 2006
"I'm at a concert and I'm not drunk!" Black Eyed Peas Concert
Since I rarely drink alcohol and Jones Beach Theater does not serve alcohol, that phrase could only be uttered by "White Fedora" Mike.
Who is "White Fedora" Mike you ask? I did too as I looked for him Friday afternoon at Penn Station enroute to the BEP concert. Sara, Linda, and her cousins from Italy went to Jones Beach earlier in the afternoon to take them to the beach as I looked for Mike at Penn Station. I saw an elderly gentleman in a black fedora praying. That's not Mike. Finally, I called his mobile and a bald man (sarcastic hint "white fedora") comes up and says hello.
Anyway, after a laugh, it's off to Jones Beach for the concert where we meet up with the rest of the gang.
The Pussycat Dolls were supposed to open but they had to cancel for illness or some "rock and roll" reason. There was some other fill-in performer from MTV but we didn't watch them as the ladies were distracted by the hair care display and us guys went to get something to eat. "White Fedora" Mike and I really don't have much hair to care for as we have shaved and receding hair, respectively. 
Onto the moving to our seats, kudos to Linda getting them close to the front but elevated in the second row of the second section -- basically a great view of center stage!
Though I am familiar with most of BEP music (basically "Elephunk" and "Monkey Business" when Fergie came on the scene), I didn't know what to expect going into the show because I had never seen them live before. They got off to a fast start and kept the show moving. In researching the BEP, I read a review that Fergie is Gwen Stefani with better moves. Granted, Fergie is hot, has a great vocal range (including a great cover of Guns and Roses' "Sweet Child of Mine"), and did cool cartwheels while singing but Gwen is still the Queen even on maternity leave because she has produced more music and is prettier. (I am definitely willing to give Fergie another five to ten years to prove me wrong.) Let's hope Fergie's new "Dutchess" solo album because doesn't pull BEP apart as Gwen's solo departure pretty much marked the end of No Doubt though they'll probably do a reunion tour down the line to rake in the big bucks like The Fugees.
BEP cranked out hits like "Shut Up", "Pump It", "Let's Get Retarded", etc. as well as mixed in great samples of hip-hop classic "It Takes Two" (Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock), "O.P.P." (Naughty By Nature), and "Jump Around" (House of Pain). Special Guest Dante Santiago had the joint jumping including yours truly to the shock of "White Fedora" Mike and a kid near us. Though I am past the "American Idol" cutoff age, I can kick it with the best of them.
I have listened to quite a bit of hip-hop over the years including still being a member of gansta rap label "Death Row East" long after the label's peak. I actually got "recruited" into "Death Row East" as a van pulled up near the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996 across the street from Radio City Music Hall. I still have the t-shirt they gave me as I was going to Rochester Big & Tall for a new dress shirt for work. Dominican Lou (the real one from work, not the one on "Saturday Night Live" played by Tracy Morgan) did tell me the other day at work that I am black. I always thought I was white. Maybe I need the laser vision more than I think. Regardless of my real or outward looking race, I have crossed numerous musical, racial, and other boundaries as a global musical envoy (six karaoke continents, only South America remains).
Pre and post concert conversation ranged from a harsh critique of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to discussing the NBA and Stanley Kubrick in Italish (Italian and English and Linda translated the words we didn't know), and if German porn is better than American porn. The man who made the German porn quote was thankfully NOT in the car ride home. Though I am a very patriotic person, I don't know what the difference between German and American or any other ethno-nationalistic porn for that matter. Porn is porn in my book except for the weird "inter-species erotica" found in "Clerks II". This high and diverse level of pseudo-intellectual conversation can only come from the Tank and his long-time and new friends. Linda sailed (I mean drove) the Titanic of a rental car back to the City. All in all, a great time had by all.
Post by The Tank in NY.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Welcome to Shea Shawn Green!
We got to the ballpark early and sat in the first row of the Mezz behind the right field foul pole hoping the rain would end. After a while we got our wish and the game started with only a 30 minute delay. The game got rolling and both pitchers were throwing strikes for the first 3 innings.
Dave Williams looked good. But Shawn Green in his second at bad on his Mets debut got an RBI single just after Lo Duca tripled in Reyes (how cool is that?) and Wright saced in Lo Duca. The crowd gave him standing ovation. Fans shouted “Green! Green!” New York wants Green to succeed and he is excited to be here. I felt a good vibe. He provides good protection for Wright, so I think it might just work out.
Mets up 3-0.
I then traveled around the entire stadium trying to get Kathleen a “Mrs. Wright” jersey to no avail. Somehow the bottom of the Cards order made it 3-2 and a close game.
After a Delgado home run the Mets were up 5-2. Jose Reyes added an insurance run in the 8th with an RBI single.
Jose Reyes had three hits and an RBI and stolen base. He is the most exciting player in baseball. I would actually say he is the MVP candidate. Reyes is on track to bat .300, have 90 RBI, 70 SB, and 20 HR. He is the spark of the Mets. He is the most exciting player to watch. Reyes wins games for you with both power and speed. Vote for Reyes for MVP!
Our hot dog vendor came to visit us in the bottom of the 8th in the Mezz but no free dogs.
Easy 9th and the Mets won 6-2 and swept the first place Cardinals.
Posted by Steve Live From Shea Stadium
 Live! | MLB
 Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:14:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Inaugural NYC Half-Marathon
The inaugural NYC Half-Marathon takes place this Sunday (Aug 27). The race is a tad bogus since 7.5 miles are done in Central Park (on a 6 mile loop?!?!), but come watch 10,000 runners run 5.6 miles through the streets of Manhattan.
The NYRR will have to solve the “bunching up” problem while trying to get 10,000 runners through a 2 lane road with 1 lane open for Bikers and runners crossing over each other to make up the extra 1.5 miles.
Good luck to The Tank who is running and the rest of the Antarctica Gang. [Steve conveniently will be at Business School Orientation Weekend.]
Posted by Steve, in New York.
Tuesday Recap (Cardinals at Mets; Yankees at Mariners); Injury Updates
Even before the Mets great come from behind victory over the Cardinals, the Mets received great news that veteran left-hander Tom Glavine will only be out about a week to ten days. Thank God!
In a clash of MVP candidates, Carlos Beltran had the last laugh over Albert Pujols who had two home runs, a three run blast and a grand slam which represented all seven of the Cardinals runs. As worthy MVP candidates as the Carloses (Beltran and Delgado) have been, Pujols will probably get it because he hasn't before and where would the Cardinals be without him. Furthermore, the Carloses will take votes away from each other as well as DW who should get some MVP consideration.
Most importantly, if the Mets and Cardinals meet in the playoffs, I give the edge to the Mets because they will probably have home field advantage and the Cardinals are 20 games over .500 against right hand starters BUT under .500 against left hand starters according to WFAN's game announcers. A pretty unbelievable statistic but I trust the FAN. Therefore, if Glavine, a lefty, is pitching in the playoffs, I feel pretty good about the Mets chances. If Pedro is near 100% and Maine, Trachsel, and/or El Duque are on, I like the Mets chances against the Cardinals.
As for the Yankees, they unfortunately lost to the Mariners 6-5 but something had to give after the Mariners lost 11 in a row coming in and the Yankees thankfully swept the five game set at Fenway.
The good news from the injury front is that Sheffield was cleared to swing under water and Matsui is cleared to hit off the tee according to the WCBS game announcers. Even if Matsui and Sheffield aren't 100% by October, they could come off the bench in pinch hitting situation. Fingers crossed for full recoveries for both Sheff and Hideki.
Unlike Steve, I am still keeping the Subway Series dream alive. The Tigers have been a great story but they are built for the regular season and after Pudge, how much post-season experience do they have? The Cardinals are a great regular season team but have under-achieved in the recent post seasons.
The teams that could thwart my Subway Series dream and thus deny my much needed baseball closure are the Dodgers and the Angels (yes, the same "LA of Anaheim of Orange County of South California of the United States of the Western Hemisphere of the Planet Earth of the Solar System of the Known Universe" Angels). The Dodgers are hot and have crafty veteran leadership in Maddux and Nomar. If there is a manager equal to or even better than Joe Torre, it is Angels skipper Mike Scioscia. He is a fellow National Leaguer who keeps the pressure on the base paths. The Angels are so scary that I wanted the RS to beat the Angels on Tuesday evening (but lost 4-3) because I don't want the Angels to make the playoffs and the RS are probably not going to make it anyway, touch wood. Yes, you read it here first. Count on "Steve and The Tank" to tell it like it is.
Go Yankees! / Mets!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
World Series Victory by a NY Team a Longshot
The Tank’s post on the 1986 Mets Anniversary night brought back some memories. When Mookie Wilson took the mike I got goose bumps remembering 1986. What I remember most about that post season (besides Mookie’s hit in-between Bill Buckner’s legs breaking the tie game) was Mike Scott silencing the Mets bats in the NLCS and the relief I felt when Game 6 was over in like 100 innings at the old Astrodome because the Mets did not have to face Scott in Game 7.
It reminds me that both the Mets and Yankees are screwed in 2006. Both teams have the same problem: they are all offence and have so-so pitching. And good offences get shut down by superior pitching. Anything can happen in a 7 game series, but the Yankees were early exiters last year for this very reason. My fingers are crossed but I am not that hopeful.
As a lifelong Mets fan, I will just be excited to see the Mets do well in the playoffs. The Mets are an exciting team to watch, I’d rather they win 100+ games a season and lose the World Series (but not to the Yankees!) then have a bad year, sneak into the playoffs and win it all.
Mookie and me in 2002:
Posted by Steve, in New York.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Boston Massacre ii: Break out the Brooms, Yankees at Fenway, August 18-21
I was very nervous going into this series because of losing two out of three to the Orioles and having to go to Fenway Park. I reserved comment earlier because Friday's game went late, I wanted to tip my hat to the Mets and "focus" on the 1986 WS Celebration, and I didn't want to jinx the Yankees. The last five game sweeps of the RS at Fenway were 1927 and 1943, respectively, years that the Yankees won championships. Let's hope history repeats itself, touch wood.
Game 1, Friday afternoon: Chien-Ming Wang won this must win game against Jason Johnson. Yankees win 12-4.
Game 2, Friday evening: Sidney Ponson has been battling his demons over the years and was not good but neither was the RS starter. The crooked number (7) that the Yankees put up in the seventh inning was magical to say the least. Yankees win 14-11.
Game 3, Saturday afternoon: Randy Johnson against Josh Beckett. Yes, Randy gave up the three run home run to Manny but he kept us close as Boston Bob likes to say and pitched seven good innings. Yankees win 13-5.
During the game, it was great to see ESPN's Peter Gammons in Mr. John Henry's owner's booth. Best wishes on a full recovery.
Game 4, Sunday evening: Moose against Schilling. Giambino's three run home run was awesome and it thankfully put the Yankees ahead in the third 3-2. The RS unfortunately tied it back up. Moose's groin injury going into the bottom of the fifth was very disturbing.
There are comebacks and there are comebacks. This is one of the best I will ever see. Yankees win 8-5 in ten innings. We never quit.
Game 5, Monday afternoon: Lidle against Wells. Lidle pitched great, especially after the recent passing of his 98 year old grandmother. Yankees complete the sweep 2-1.
Conclusion: Damon was unbelievable in the first three games. A-Rod was not perfect but a good 7-21. Bernie, Posada, and Jeter were thankfully clutch as always.
The RS are killing themselves. Why did Francona bring a rookie to start the eighth inning? He should have gone straight to Papelbon who I agree with RS radio announcer Joe Castiligone that he is the RS best pitching prospect since Roger Clemens.
Fox commentator Ted Rosenthal made a great point during Saturday afternoon's game that the RS are trying to simultaneously contend and rebuild. This is very tricky. They don't want to go above $120 million which is ridiculous because RS owner Mr. Henry is a hedge fund billionaire (and a personal hero as a Missouri farm boy and statistics genius made good) who can easily pay the chump change luxury tax that MLB would levy on him.
Granted when Lester, Papelbon, Hansen, etc. mature, they are scary. How long will it take them? Will Wakefield, Schilling,
Varitek, and other key veterans be around when they do? If so, how much do the have left in the tank? (No pun intend.)
Though GM Theo Epstein returned to the RS with more power, why didn't they make a trading deadline deal? Were others teams asking for too much (probably) or was it a power struggle (less likely)? Where does Team President Larry Lucchino fit in all of this? It's so confusing that you, me, and Hazzard County Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane could be running the RS; it makes Kremlinology seem like kids play.
With Big Papi and Manny, I respect the RS too much and never count them out but it will be interesting to see how they navigate salary cap concerns and key injuries to Varitek, Wakefield, Nixon, etc.
Go Yankees! / Go Mets!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
P.S. Best wishes to and prayers for Tom Glavine's full and fast recovery. (As you could probably guess, I did not write the previous quote that Steve commented on in his last post.)
Why I Hate the Yankees
Less than 24 hours after the news that Tom Glavine maybe out for the season (or his career), this is in my inbox from a friend who is a Yankee fan:
Boston sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, looks like the AAAA team out at Shea is coming back to earth as well, especially now that Glavine's season, and possibly career is done. (I really hope it's not his career, tough way to go out and it would be nice to see him reach 300 wins)
Memo to Mets' fans. Don't become this way if we have a few good years.
Posted by Steve, in New York.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
(1) 1986 Mets World Series Celebration; (2) How I reconcile being a life-long Yankees fans with rooting for the Mets; (3) Rockies at Mets
(1) 1986 Mets World Series Celebration:
The year 1986 conjures up many great sports, music, movies, and personal memories. One of the most special was the Mets victory over the Red
Sox. As I entered Shea Stadium extra early around 6:30 pm, the ticket taker said that all 1986 ceremonial baseball cards were gone at 4:30
pm. You have got to kidding me because I was amongst the first 25,000 to be eligible for the ceremonial cards and you know my feelings about
baseball cards. Not cool!
Anyway, the infectious "Let's Go Mets" played over the speakers and I went to my seat.
As a special 1986 tarp covered the field from the light rain, Mets radio announcer Howie Rose was the MC for the 1986 World Series Celebration.
When the WS trophy was brought out, the crowd went crazy! And now, for the returning heroes who walked down the first and third base aisles
giving high fives and walked to their respective name and number signs along the diamond from first to third base:
GM Mr. Frank Cashen
23 Bud Harrelson
48 Randy Niemann
2 Kevin Elster
49 Ed Hearn
25 Danny Heep
39 Doug Sisk
38 Rick Aguilera
7 Kevin Mitchell 11 Tim Tueffel
20 Howard Johnson
3 Santana
6 Wally Backman
12 Ron Darling - The Birthday Boy
19 Bobby Ojeda
50 Sid Fernandez
4 Lenny Dykstra
47 Jessie Orosco
1 Mookie Wilson
17 Keith Hernandez
8 Gary Carter
18 Darryl Strawberry - The loudest cheers were for "Straw". He was really touched by the cheers. Fingers crossed for a successful recovery.
Howie turned over to Keith Hernandez who turned it over to Mookie Wilson. The National Anthem performed by 1986 Opening Day and World Series
Game 1 singer and lifelong Mets fan and #94 Glenn Close -- great job!
A USSOCOM parachuter landed in right center field and furled out a "Go Mets" banner. There was a team Photo in CF while "You belong to the
City" played.
----------
(2) How I reconcile being a life-long Yankees fans with rooting for the Mets:
The "abbreviated" version appears below. After an upcoming post-season "summit" with Tony Robbins, A-Rod, Steve, and myself, I may provide a
thesis length version if we figure out all of A-Rod's and my issues out first which is premised on the fact that we try to make everyone happy
(AKA "A-Rodosis" or "Tomism") and need to tell people to take a hike from time to time.
(A) Early Years:
I have been often asked how I can root for the Mets while being a lifelong Yankees fan. Yes, rooting the Mets against the Boston Red Sox was easy
but my roots go earlier and deeper than that. Most of you know that I grew up in beautiful Upstate New York but not many know that I actually
watched more Mets games than Yankees games because of how the games were broadcast on local stations, only the Utica NBC and the Binghamton CBS
affiliates. The Syracuse ABC affiliate was out of range and what was Fox? Believe me, my brother and I called the local cable company to ask
for our MTV but there were not enough people along our road which happened to be a New York State highway.
Anyway, I listened to Yankees games on the radio called by Phil Rizzuto and still catch most games on the radio through MLB.com. I
watched Mets games on TV and enjoyed watching Rusty Staub, Dave "King Kong" Kingman hit moon shot home runs, amongst others. (Unfortunately,
Dave has yet to run my e-mail from a couple months back.).
(B) Speaking of Upstate, I never was confronted with making the choice that my Downstate brethren had to make between the Yankees and Mets.
Ah, the innocence of youth. Remember, it's two different leagues and in essence, two different games within our great pastime so I enjoy
aspects of both. My multiple personalities can appreciate this.
(C) While reading an issue of "Sports Illustrated" in the mid 1980s, I remember the lyrics of Suzanna Vega's "Luka" along in an article about
the Mets. I always had a crush on Suzanne Vega and other female singer songwriters like her, Carly Simon, Sheryl Crow, etc. Maybe Suzanne was
a Mets fan and I could meet her. Hey, I was an impressionable teenager. OK, I am impressionable adult too.
These reasons may seem incomprehensible to you but that's my story and I am sticking to it.
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(3) Colorado Rockies at Mets, Saturday, August 19:
After the ceremony and the grounds crew removed the tarp and groomed the field, the game started and hour late at 8:06 pm.
Nice catch by a fan right up against the railing in foul territory in the lower Mezzanine on the third base line while Yorvit Torrealba was at
base with two out in the top of the second.
Nice pickoff attempt to end the top of the third (1-3-4).
John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. In the USA" preceeds Lastings Milledge who gets on first after HBP. Endy Chavez sacrifices Milledge to second.
Profesor Reyes grounds out to end the third. It's still scoreless.
A wave attempt ends the top of the fourth and the infectious "Let's Go Mets" plays again with 1986 footage.
Beltran hits a nice fly out to the warning track in center. Darn it! The shift is on for Delgado who unfortunately strikes out to end the
fifth.
Torrealba hits a home run to open the sixth. Rockies 1 - Mets 0. Darn it!
The caped crusader with a Mets Blanket as a cape who was a couple of sections to my right takes a bow after Milledge singles to right. Chavez
grounds out to end the sixth.
"Rock Me Amadeus" plays during the t-shirt toss. As soon as I learn more German, I am considering entering the German version "American Idol"
as I am unfortunately too old for the American version as it tops out at 29 to enter. Taylor Hicks who looks much older than me recently
turned 30. As recently witnessed during my recent trip to Australia where I encountered "karaoke discrimination" for not being Japanese, I'll
continue to fight against "musical contest age discrimination". I greatly appreciate your help in this important freedom of speech issue.
Delgado makes a great catch on a bunt attempt for the first out in the top of the sixth. Runners at first and third with two out while the
trainer comes out to check Williams. Willaims is out with an injury.
While I went to the rest room, the Rockies hit a three run shot. OK, sorry Steve and Linda but I had to go and even the radio commentators
noted the shortness of Hernandez's warmup for the injured Williams. The Rockies unfortunately lead 4-0.
When the Mets come up in the sixth, Beltran hits a fly ball that the LF drops and scores a run.
A wild pitch makes it 4 to 3. Delgado on second. It's fast and furious in the bottom of the sixth. After the WP, DW is intentionally
walked. Woodward flies out for the second out. Lastings Milledge singles to right field to tie the game. DW is almost caught in a run down at
second but a throwing error gets DW to third and Milledge advances to second. Julio Franco is intentionally walked to load the bases. Tucker is
back up and works a walk to break the 4-4 tie. Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" plays during the pitching change. Profesor Reyes works a walk
after an 0-2 count and the Mets lead 6-4. This kid has has ice water in his veins. The crowd rallies behind Paul LoDuca in light of his
recent personal issues. LoDuca unfortunately flies out to the right center warning track to end the sixth but the Mets lead 6-4 after scoring
sixth runs on two errors and only two earned runs.
Huey Lewis's "Stuck with You" plays going into the top of the 7th.
The home plate umpire Wally Bell got nailed with a ball in the left shoulder on a 1-2 count with one out. Bell is thankfully okay.
DW starts the double play and the Mets lead 6-4 at the 7th inning stretch.
After flashing on outfield screen, I am tempted to go over to get my picture with the 1986 WS trophy in the right field food court but know
there are thousands en route and don't want to jinx the winning karma. (After the game, I did go to the Right Field Food Court but they already
cut the photo line off. However, the security guard informs me that both championship trophies are in the Diamond Club for future reference.)
55,085 are announced for the eighth sellout of the season.
Delgado hits a ground rule double to left but Holliday thankfully dropped another ball near the wall. This is almost the exact spot where I
practiced catching the ball after the "Run to Home Plate" on Saturday, July 29. (Holliday probably didn't run in the RTHP and was afraid of
hitting the wall unlike The Tank who almost ran over a college professor who considered blocking home plate for a moment and then moved while
The Tank rounded third base during a student-teacher softball game in college. No brown nosing because I need to score and win; I even got an
A- in the class.) DW lines out to the SS and Delgado is unfortunately caught off of second.
A guy to my left with two chocolate ice creams in both hands gets a "Chocolate Ice Cream" chant. Heilemann thankfully works an effective top
of the eighth.
Steve Windwood's "Higher Love" plays before the Mets bat in the bottom of the eighth. I am loving this musical trip down memory lane.
Milledge hits a bomb to left field bleachers and Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" blares over the speakers.
While the first part of Rule 10.1.9 gives the advantage to Hernandez for the win after relieving Williams in the sixth but the official scorer
rightfully awards the win to Heilemann because he gave up one hit over two innings while Hernandez gave up the three run home run.
"Enter Sandman" blares over the speakers and Billy Wagner enters the game. Clint Barmes flies out to Milledge to end the game.
The Mets win 7-4!
Posted by The Tank from Shea in NY.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Welcome to the Yankee Club Restaurant, Orioles at the Yankees, Thursday, August 17
My roommate (MTA Ray) and I used the firm's primo tickets for the second time this season to visit the Yankee Club Restaurant at Yankee Stadium.
While enjoying lunch in the air conditioned Yankee Club and watching the first couple of innings on closed caption TV, it was time to sit in the primo Stadium seats. They are close to the field but not lots of leg room like the bleachers where I normally sit. I unfortunately could not stay the entire game because I had to go to work. I left after three innings when the Yankees were down 4-2. Jared Wright didn't have the right stuff when we really needed him.
By the time I got to work, the Orioles widened their lead and unfortunately won 12-2. Going into Boston on Friday with only a 1.5 game lead and one game in hand, I am stressed for the five game series over four days. Fingers crossed and saying the prayers and eating the vitamins for a successful trip to Boston.
Go Yankees!
Posted by The Tank in New York.
P.S. The Mets helped their cause by beating the Phillies. I am less concerned for them as they still have a double digit lead but I am still praying for Pedro's recovery.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hot Dogs Here!!!
An Interview with a career Stadium Vendor
You see them all the time, all over the world. They walk in front of you at the most critical moment of the game and yell at the top of their lungs: “Beer here!” They are stadium vendors, folks who come to the games every day and get paid to sell you stuff to eat and drink.
I started vending hot dogs, pretzels, beer and soda at Shea Stadium in April 1988 and eventually worked at other sporting arenas like Madison Square Garden. Even to this day people are fascinated with my past experiences as a stadium vendor- it dominated every job interview I have ever been on as well as my interviews for Business School- so I figured that I would take the time out and interview a long time friend and stadium vendor. (Some names have been changed to protect the guilty.)
Steve and the Tank: We met at Shea Stadium Opening Day 1988 but I was smart enough to quit in 1994 after possibly 1000 games at multiple stadiums, what about you, how long have you been vending and how many sporting/entertainment events have you been to?
Vendor: Oh way too many, over 2000. How long have I been vending? Let’s do the math 1988-1993 about 70 games a year. 1994 about 100 games both Yankee and Shea. No vending in 1995 while on Wall Street. Then 1996-97 75 a year. Then 1998-99 I took some time off and was hoping around the world. Then 2000 75 games at Yankee. Then 2001-2006 about 140 a year both Shea and Yankee
Steve and the Tank: That sure is a lot of games! At what stadiums, just Shea and Yankee?
Vendor: Only Yankee and Shea with a brief stint at Madison Square Garden.
Steve and the Tank: Which is the best place to sell at? Shea? Yankee? MSG? Other?
Vendor: Yankee has the most generous fans. Shea fans spend money but tipping is less then Yankee. MSG sucked when I worked there with you
Steve and the Tank: Yes it did suck. But we saw some amazing Knick games and our locker room was where they kept the rink for ranger games. Remember Martin Luther King day 1990 when Trent Tucker got a 3 point shot with 0.01 seconds on the clock to win an amazing victory over the Bulls? This leads me to the next question, did you start vending so you can see free games?
Vendor: Yes I did in the beginning.
Steve and the Tank: What happened, is it all about the money?
Vendor: Free games gets old after the first year. I come to work to work, just like you.
Steve and the Tank: How much does a vendor make on average selling each item?
Vendor: No comment, but they pay us on commission, so the more you work the more you make.
Steve and the Tank: Why do the pay you on commission and pay the people behind the counter by the hour?
Vendor: It has always been like that. Vendors always got commission going back to the beginning o baseball and counter workers got hourly pay. I assume they pay us on commission since we are in the seats selling to the fans and can so easily just sit and watch the game if we were paid by the hour.
Steve and the Tank: What is the easiest product to sell? Beer? Hot dogs? Other?
Vendor: Depends on the person some people find beer easy to sell others hot dogs. I prefer hot dogs.
Steve and the Tank: What is the most profitable product to sell?
Vendor: Depends how good the vendor is and the section of the stadium you are in.
Steve and the Tank: Can you give your friends free beer?
Vendor: Sometimes they give me credit in the station. I don't want to pay for your free bee, we are accountable for everything we sell.
Steve and the Tank: I once sold a beer to a 7 year old boy who was bringing it to his dad. The scene was funny, the dad actually sent his kid down to me to fetch him a beer. Do you card kids?
Vendor: I hate selling beer. Actually will not sell it anymore because I have to card everybody including 80 yr olds.
Steve and the Tank: Do you sell beer to cute women who are underage?
Vendor: If I want to lose my job.
Steve and the Tank: How have Aramark and other large scale vendors changed the vending business over the past 15 or so years?
Vendor: The prices are a lot higher. A lot has changed to much to list. No more draft beer, drip sodas. Vending is always changing. We now have ketchup with the hot dogs!
Steve and the Tank: I remember Game 3 of the NLCS in 1988 when it was cold and raining and I just wanted to go home. I also remember some 100 degree day games selling hot dogs in the field level with the sun beating down on me and having to go into the ice cream freezer to cool off in-between innings. What was the hardest conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.) that you worked in?
Vendor: I remember one Mets opening day few years ago it was 31 degrees. It was to cold to do anything, I had to keep warm in the vendor room as much as I could between innings.
Steve and the Tank: Did anyone ever try to rob you at the game?
Vendor: Never has happened at anytime. I don’t think anyone has ever been robbed.
Steve and the Tank: I still remember the most beautiful woman I ever sold a hot dog to, her name was Tracy and it was August 1990 in the Upper Deck at a night game against the Pittsburg Pirates. Who was the least pleasant client you dealt with? Most pleasant?
Vendor: I deal with people in seconds don't have time to get to know them. Other vendors sit there and have conversations with fans. I am too busy try trying to make my money.
Steve and the Tank: I remember I was hit in the head with a foul ball on the first pitch of the first game of a twilight double header. I also remember catching about 3 or 4 foul balls over the years. Did you ever catch a foul or home run ball? If so, which one and how many?
Vendor: Once caught a foul ball at Yankee during the game. The ball went down the hallway and I was standing there to pick it up. These days when I see a foul ball headed in my direction I tend to try to get as far away from the crazy people who are sacrificing their bodies for a worthless ball. More then a few vendors were knocked out from crazy people diving for balls. But I have caught plenty of balls during batting practice
Steve and the Tank: What is the longest term vendor you are acquainted with? Shortest term?
Vendor: After Manny Gluck died last year he was at Yankee since 1955. Know the #1 guy is Mike McNamara he started at Yankee in 1960. Short term the vendor who started today.
Steve and the Tank: What is the craziest story of a vendor getting fired?
Vendor: The funniest story I know is concerning our mutual friend Bo (name changed). You know this guy is insane. The scene: Yankee vs Boston in I don't know let’s say 1996. Bo decides to take the day off and watch the game from the bleachers. Back then the bleachers still sold beer. He proceeds to get wasted and starts harassing Boston fans. It gets bad the fans complain he gets thrown out. Security doesn't know he is a vendor. He uses his ID to get back in and starts harassing the fans again. Security sees him thinking what the hell throw him out again. You would think OK he goes home but no he gets in again back to the same fans starts fighting them Security comes takes him out search find the ID take him to Joyce Pappa the boss he is fired right away.
Steve and the Tank : What was the most memorable moment you witnessed?
Vendor: Has to be when the Yanks won the World Series in 1996. I watched Charlie Hayes catch the ball from the left field seats and watched the whole celebration on the field.
Steve and the Tank: Do you get to meet the players?
Vendor: No, but back in 1988 I met a few of the Mets..
Posted by Steve, in New York.
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