KEEP IT VINTAGE: As Vintage Joe's father, tell me what went wrong was it about his upbringing that has made him vintage-obsessed? And also sending out 100 emails to the team a week?
POPS: I tried - Oh, did I try to help him. But, junior became a Met fan and I thought all hope was lost. Then something happened... he went to college, became a History major and learned how to write. The rest is history.
KIV: This season, you've basically become the team's umpire. Tell me is it difficult to call a game fairly and do you really want to just suit up in Orator gray and hit the field again?
P: It’s a good fit for me. Mike retired, I have masochistic tendencies anyway, so why not?
As far as calling the game, it’s tough because I love you guys and you're usually on the bad side of most of the calls. I love suiting up even if I’m just posing.
KIV: During the east coast / west coast rap beef of the 1990's whose side were you on?
P: West coast. I like Snoop.
KIV: Why don't you show those guys how we roll in vintage base ball. I'll beatbox and you rap... GO! (if you don't rap for me, a kitten somewhere dies).
P: Bridgeport has a team and it’s not just any team. We rock and we roll with the best it seems. We have a good club so we shouldn't get drubbed. We show up every week even though we get snubbed. So why am I doing this it’s a mystery to me. Yet I do like playing down by the sea.
OK?
KIV: When you started playing vintage ball how long had it been since you played organize baseball?
P: Early Eighties. I sponsored and played softball in the Fairfield League. I Pitched and played First. I was pretty good; I was a spray hitter and had a good OBP. Ginger is rolling!
KIV: I suggest witchcraft or divine intervention is needed to turn the Orators season around. How do I get supernatural powers to help us? I'm all ears (and all nose depending on what angle you're looking at me from) - tell me how to perform a ceremony.
P: Divine Intervention? Witchcraft? I don’t know… but if you could run as good as you hit maybe that would help!
KIV: Oh snap! I've been sonned West Coast style, but I expect no less from someone named Pops.
THE 10TH INNING is a series of posts where we profile team members and other vintage personalities.
