A Pinstriped Moment
by rick olivares
When it was announced that the officials of the New York Yankees were going to Asia on a presentation tour of the 2009 World Series trophy for their Asian fans and that Hong Kong would be their last stop, I knew I was going to be there.
I was planning on going to Britain’s former Crown Colony in a few weeks so it was just a matter of moving the trip ahead of schedule. I wrote the club immediately after the tour was announced to ask if it would be possible to interview General Manager Brian Cashman and Club President Randy Levine. Within two days, I received a reply saying that it was possible but they couldn't confirm it. So when I arrived in Hong Kong, I went to the hotel where the team delegation was staying to verify. And there my name was right on the list. Number 18.
That was Johnny Damon’s number, one of my favorite players on the team. Although the team did not re-sign him to an extension, I decided to be aggressive like Damon against the Phillies in the World Series. This doesn’t happen every day so I have to seize the moment.
In my being a longtime fan of the Yankees, I’ve had a few moments that are highly memorable. Obviously, there’s going to old Yankee Stadium for the first time and the hair-raising moment standing close to the late Thurman Munson’s locker that has remained inside the clubhouse since his death in 1979 (it has now been moved to the Yankees Museum inside the new stadium). There was waiting on the table of Jason Giambi at Burger Heaven in East 86th and Lexington in his first season at the Bronx. I came away with a healthy tip, an autograph, and a picture. There’s shaking hands with Yogi Berra on Old-timers’ Day. There’s engaging Boston Red Sox fans in a chant-off in the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes of 2004. And there’s watching Game 7 at the stadium during the 2003 American League Championship Series when New York’s Aaron Boone smacked the walk-off home run against Boston’s Tim Wakefield that extended the Red Sox’s ill luck in the post-season by one more year. I tossed my entire bucket of popcorn into the air and the crowd and in the ensuing bedlam got to hug that pretty girl one row in from of me!
And now it was coming this close to the World Series trophy. On the elevator ride up the hotel, everyone was quiet but brimming with gleeful anticipation. I decided to break the ice and blurted out, “Anyone who’s a Boston fan get off now. This is your final warning.” Some 20 people laughed out loud.
As soon as the short program for the presentation of the 2009 World Series trophy to the Hong Kong media and fans ended, I went up to the hostess and asked if I could get right beside the symbol of pro baseball’s ultimate prize for a photo op.
"As long as you don't touch it," she gently reminded.
"Scout's honor!" I promised with every word dripping with excitement.
As soon as the host gave permission, I went up the stage – the first one at the event -- and had a friend of mine from Hong Kong, click away (we had a pre-arranged agreement to take turns snapping photos of each other beside the trophy). I was beaming from ear to ear. I wanted to hold it up high like Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter when the team was handed the trophy not soon after they had dispatched Philadelphia in six games. “Like a kid in a toy store, eh.” commented aloud one man who brought his kids with him. From there, I sidled over to the Brian Cashman, waited for one reporter to finish his interview, and got mine.
I introduced myself and the Yankees GM thought it was cool to have someone from the Philippines come over. I was the only one outside Hong Kong media to be there. “That’s my point exactly.” he underscored about the whole Asian Trophy Presentation Tour. “We had players from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Taiwan, Venezuela, and Mexico contribute a lot to the championship. We have fans from everywhere and they have been fantastic with their support of the team’s goals and this is the least that we can do for them after winning again.”
How challenging is it for you to be GM for one of the few teams in this world with a global following?
“It is extremely challenging. We are one of 30 teams competing for a championship and we try to get the best players domestically and internationally. You need that eye for talent for what the team needs and once we have those players we try to develop them. We provide them the facilities and environment to perform, and we could do with some luck there because we need everyone healthy. It’s an endeavor that requires a lot from everyone. We are consistently one of the best in baseball at that but we still have to go out and perform.”
This is not the first championship team that you put together. What were the differences in the last batch as opposed to the new one?
“This one was special in so many ways. We opened up one of the greatest baseball facilities in the world and in its inaugural season won a championship. People would challenge the move by saying that it was a mistake to move since the old ballpark had a lot of history, tradition, and success so we excised some of those concerns. Our recent success can be traced to finding the right people and we think we’ve done that again. It was amazing to see how quick this batch of new players bonded with our veterans. They’ve also done some charitable work for the community and the fans that in turn responded to them. And as this trophy makes the rounds of Asia, we feel that this has become a trophy of the people. A lot of fans have gotten their hands on it and had their pictures taken with it. Feel a part of it. Our fans are just a big a part of this as with the players.”
Will we see any of the players make a trip to Asia to promote Yankees baseball?
“There’s nothing currently planned. We study every situation and this trip wasn’t planned at all. It only came together in the last three weeks and we acted on it. Maybe the next time around there’s a possibility but we have to work that around people’s schedules because there’ll be spring training around the corner.”
Last question, Mr. Cashman -- may I ask for a photo with you?
“Of course!”
And everyone, including members of the media from television, print, and the web, who had gathered around and listened to my interview broke out in laughter.
I had another one of those memorable Yankee moments.
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