Nice piece Paul. I actually don’t remember any issues the Yanks had or at least that was in the news. But I do remember Reggie Jackson picking up change from the outfield grass fans were tossing. I kept thinking to myself, this guy owns how many cars & he’s picking dimes & quarters up off the ground?? Holy Cow!!
During the 1977 World Series, Jackson had to pick up a used smoke bomb and toss it back over the fence and out of play. Other duties as assigned... I think some of the perception in these 1980 comments actually goes back to that series, Games 2 and 6 particularly. And of course the ALCS in 1976. I'll be keeping an eye out for other instances in the late 1970s and 1980 that might also illustrate why they were on everyone's terrible fan leaderboard at that time.
I remember watching a show about him. He doesn’t have as many cars as Leno but he certainly has a bunch. I guess to keep gas in all his toys those quarters added up. I’m pretty sure he collected some bucks on the Reggie Bar too
SUCH a fascinating relationship. And then you throw in Steinbrenner, and Thurman Munson. The contrast between those Yankees and the hugging brotherhood of the Dodgers in the World Series makes for such a good story. Clashes within clashes.
Steinbrenner & Martin went on hating/loving each other seemed like forever. They even made beer commercials together. When Billy’s death was announced I recall the day. It was definitely the end of an era
You know how they say you remember where you were when major news hits like JFK assassination, etc? I remember where I was when I learned Munson was killed. I was on vacation at Lake George NY sitting in the car when I first heard the sad news. There were no TV’s in the lake cabins so no news unless you got a paper. And no radio if you spent the day on the boat usually. Needless to say I was heartbroken as the entire Yankee team. It was just horrible.
Great piece, Paul! The Bleacher Creatures weren't as well-known as the Cubs' Bleacher Bums, but the bleachers anywhere were a subculture all their own - I spent one Saturday afternoon in Wrigley Field's center-field bleachers in the early-1980's, right near a shirtless, upper-60's aged Bill Veeck, complete with his wooden leg.
Have you turned that episode into a story? You really should, even if not much happened. It's such an evocative image to work with.
The bleacher bums at Wrigley sort of represent the opposite of the Creatures. There was that one amazing moment in 1969 where it seemed like the walls between fans and players were going to come down, and then not only did they not come down, they just got higher and higher over the next two decades. I read somewhere (not verified, yet) that at one point the bleachers at Tiger Stadium were separated not just with fencing, but barbed wire. The world went in such a different direction.
Good thought, Paul - spotting Veeck in the bleachers might make an interesting story - I remember seeing on other visits a couple of other memorable bleacher denizens, including the "Bleacher Preacher" (Jerry Pritkin); "Ronnie Woo-Woo"; and a nun who used to hang out with the "Bleacher Preacher". I've written a couple of columns about more solid connections with sports figures, including. . .
Ronnie was the only one I've seen in my time. I actually didn't know he was one of the original bleacher bums, but he was featured in stories about the bums as early as 1970!
I think the photo is from 1977 like the others in the series--so maybe the fans in the picture are remembering him after he was traded to Texas after just one game that year... I like it. Thanks for looking and adding a little extra pathos.
I loved the reference to the 1976 film Network. I watched the famous clip with Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway. I remember it well: “I’m mad as hell…” I think closing the bleachers and the other reforms turned out to be a good idea but probably mainly because the Tigers crept out of the cellar and into 3rd place! One question, Paul, how can you identify the game from that picture?? I noted the two teams but what else identifies the game? Thanks, Meg
It's pretty disturbing, but I can't tell if it's because of the performance or some of the ways the emotions there have echoed through the decades, maybe even gotten louder. I thought of it as soon as I read that quote from Campbell and sure enough the timing was a fit.
I'm not a professional with these puzzles but if I can identify the umpires by their listed numbers, I can look for what series (I am assuming 1977 since the photo series is dated that year) between the Indians and the Tigers that that specific umpiring crew worked. The umpires are listed on the game pages at baseball-reference.com. So that should narrow it down to 1 or 2 series of 3-4 games each, and then I am hoping to whittle out the night games right away, and then confirm the other matchups shown were ALSO playing on that day (NY Mets/Montreal; Philadelphia/Pittsburgh). Hoping that narrows it all the way to one, or at least to the series. We'll see...
I thought there had to be some fun Bleacher Creatures t-shirts out there, but this was the only relevant one that turned up: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116311497632
The seller dates it to the late '70s or early 1980s. As of now, my research suggests the Tigers' fans hadn't really appropriated the term "Bleacher Creature" until the early 1980s, and it really took off in 1985, for reasons we'll see in a future story. So, it is plausible that this is authentic, and that's worth a premium, right? Alas, I am not an XL, but hopefully someone here can find it a good home.
Phil was a great guy. His birthday was the 25th, I sure miss him. When I started a new job with Sony I went to a Yankee game in ‘88. I went upstairs to the broadcast booth & waited outside. Someone walked over to me & I handed him my new business card. I said, “Can you please ask Mr. Ruzzuto if he would kindly sign the back of my card?” He told me to hold on as he disappeared. He returned telling me to come back in the 7th. When I returned that same person told me to hold on. He came back with an 8x10” envelope & handed it to me. I walked away thanking him & to be sure to thank Mr. Rizzuto. As I slowly walked away I removed the contents. Phil gave me an autographed color pic of him holding a mike. He signed it: To Jeffrey. Holy Cow. I was amazed & shocked. Wata great guy!!! Wish I had the opportunity to thank him personally but hey… I can’t complain!!! I’m hoping to dig it out as soon as the house gets done so I can pull stuff from storage & hang it up again. Love to send you a pic when I do.
Now he’s what Rizzuto would’ve referred to as a Huckleberry.
Nice piece Paul. I actually don’t remember any issues the Yanks had or at least that was in the news. But I do remember Reggie Jackson picking up change from the outfield grass fans were tossing. I kept thinking to myself, this guy owns how many cars & he’s picking dimes & quarters up off the ground?? Holy Cow!!
During the 1977 World Series, Jackson had to pick up a used smoke bomb and toss it back over the fence and out of play. Other duties as assigned... I think some of the perception in these 1980 comments actually goes back to that series, Games 2 and 6 particularly. And of course the ALCS in 1976. I'll be keeping an eye out for other instances in the late 1970s and 1980 that might also illustrate why they were on everyone's terrible fan leaderboard at that time.
I remember watching a show about him. He doesn’t have as many cars as Leno but he certainly has a bunch. I guess to keep gas in all his toys those quarters added up. I’m pretty sure he collected some bucks on the Reggie Bar too
It was fun watching Mr. October interacting with Billy Martin too. There was certainly no love lost between those two.
SUCH a fascinating relationship. And then you throw in Steinbrenner, and Thurman Munson. The contrast between those Yankees and the hugging brotherhood of the Dodgers in the World Series makes for such a good story. Clashes within clashes.
Steinbrenner & Martin went on hating/loving each other seemed like forever. They even made beer commercials together. When Billy’s death was announced I recall the day. It was definitely the end of an era
You know how they say you remember where you were when major news hits like JFK assassination, etc? I remember where I was when I learned Munson was killed. I was on vacation at Lake George NY sitting in the car when I first heard the sad news. There were no TV’s in the lake cabins so no news unless you got a paper. And no radio if you spent the day on the boat usually. Needless to say I was heartbroken as the entire Yankee team. It was just horrible.
Great piece, Paul! The Bleacher Creatures weren't as well-known as the Cubs' Bleacher Bums, but the bleachers anywhere were a subculture all their own - I spent one Saturday afternoon in Wrigley Field's center-field bleachers in the early-1980's, right near a shirtless, upper-60's aged Bill Veeck, complete with his wooden leg.
Have you turned that episode into a story? You really should, even if not much happened. It's such an evocative image to work with.
The bleacher bums at Wrigley sort of represent the opposite of the Creatures. There was that one amazing moment in 1969 where it seemed like the walls between fans and players were going to come down, and then not only did they not come down, they just got higher and higher over the next two decades. I read somewhere (not verified, yet) that at one point the bleachers at Tiger Stadium were separated not just with fencing, but barbed wire. The world went in such a different direction.
Good thought, Paul - spotting Veeck in the bleachers might make an interesting story - I remember seeing on other visits a couple of other memorable bleacher denizens, including the "Bleacher Preacher" (Jerry Pritkin); "Ronnie Woo-Woo"; and a nun who used to hang out with the "Bleacher Preacher". I've written a couple of columns about more solid connections with sports figures, including. . .
https://ruleofthree.substack.com/p/my-brush-with-nfl-greatness?utm_source=publication-search
and. . .
https://ruleofthree.substack.com/p/frankly-we-did-win-this-election?utm_source=publication-search
Ronnie was the only one I've seen in my time. I actually didn't know he was one of the original bleacher bums, but he was featured in stories about the bums as early as 1970!
I think the picture in a picture was Willie Horton
I think the photo is from 1977 like the others in the series--so maybe the fans in the picture are remembering him after he was traded to Texas after just one game that year... I like it. Thanks for looking and adding a little extra pathos.
I loved the reference to the 1976 film Network. I watched the famous clip with Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway. I remember it well: “I’m mad as hell…” I think closing the bleachers and the other reforms turned out to be a good idea but probably mainly because the Tigers crept out of the cellar and into 3rd place! One question, Paul, how can you identify the game from that picture?? I noted the two teams but what else identifies the game? Thanks, Meg
It's pretty disturbing, but I can't tell if it's because of the performance or some of the ways the emotions there have echoed through the decades, maybe even gotten louder. I thought of it as soon as I read that quote from Campbell and sure enough the timing was a fit.
I'm not a professional with these puzzles but if I can identify the umpires by their listed numbers, I can look for what series (I am assuming 1977 since the photo series is dated that year) between the Indians and the Tigers that that specific umpiring crew worked. The umpires are listed on the game pages at baseball-reference.com. So that should narrow it down to 1 or 2 series of 3-4 games each, and then I am hoping to whittle out the night games right away, and then confirm the other matchups shown were ALSO playing on that day (NY Mets/Montreal; Philadelphia/Pittsburgh). Hoping that narrows it all the way to one, or at least to the series. We'll see...
I thought there had to be some fun Bleacher Creatures t-shirts out there, but this was the only relevant one that turned up: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116311497632
The seller dates it to the late '70s or early 1980s. As of now, my research suggests the Tigers' fans hadn't really appropriated the term "Bleacher Creature" until the early 1980s, and it really took off in 1985, for reasons we'll see in a future story. So, it is plausible that this is authentic, and that's worth a premium, right? Alas, I am not an XL, but hopefully someone here can find it a good home.
Sheesh, $37.50??? Wow!
Phil was a great guy. His birthday was the 25th, I sure miss him. When I started a new job with Sony I went to a Yankee game in ‘88. I went upstairs to the broadcast booth & waited outside. Someone walked over to me & I handed him my new business card. I said, “Can you please ask Mr. Ruzzuto if he would kindly sign the back of my card?” He told me to hold on as he disappeared. He returned telling me to come back in the 7th. When I returned that same person told me to hold on. He came back with an 8x10” envelope & handed it to me. I walked away thanking him & to be sure to thank Mr. Rizzuto. As I slowly walked away I removed the contents. Phil gave me an autographed color pic of him holding a mike. He signed it: To Jeffrey. Holy Cow. I was amazed & shocked. Wata great guy!!! Wish I had the opportunity to thank him personally but hey… I can’t complain!!! I’m hoping to dig it out as soon as the house gets done so I can pull stuff from storage & hang it up again. Love to send you a pic when I do.