The elder statesman of the Bridgeport Orators, this year Pops has been keeping it vintage behind the dish as the new official team umpire, replacing the Hon. Mike Roer from last year. But, he still has plenty of gas in the tank and despite a nagging shoulder injury he's still ready to suit up when needed - he welds a nasty bat at the striker's line and as an outfielder has been known to make even the most routine play look like a SportsCenter highlight. Yep, Pops is showing how to get it done whether he's competing or warning strikers and hurlers.
But why talk about Pops, when we can talk with him? Here it goes:
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.
