Ugandan Little Leaguers Hit The Big Apple

The Ugandan National Little League team has been on quite a roll as of late.

Not only did they become the first African team to advance to a Little League World Series (they finished their inaugural visit Thursday with a win in a consolation game), but now...they're making their way to Major League ballparks.

Tuesday night, they were in Philadelphia to catch a Phillies game.  But cooler than getting a chance to dance with the Phillie Phanatic...they got to meet Jimmy Rollins.

Rollins, you could say, is partly responsible for the youngsters even getting the chance to play baseball. 

You see, the All-Star shortstop went to Uganda in January and left as the team's unofficial sponsor.  Dude has been sending the kids money for equipment and their education ever since.

"Jimmy Rollins is a great man to us, as a brother, as a father, as a caretaker," Ugandan coach Odong Henry said. "When he's with us, he's really down to earth. He's not like a superstar. He talks to us freely. He plays with us. When he comes to our country, he doesn't care where he sits. He eats with us."

And on Wednesday, the team made their way to the Big Apple where they were able to catch a matinee at Yankee Stadium.

"It’s a wonderful story. It takes everyone back to your Little League days," New York skipper Joe Giradi said. "To watch what these kids accomplished, talking to their coaches...none of them had ever even seen an airplane before or ever traveled before. For them to accomplish what they have is truly amazing."

Oh, and almost as cool as meeting big leaguers and mascots, they even got to hang out with friend of The Hall "Bald Vinny" Milano.

Not too shabby, boys.

Bleacher Creatures Salute Tommy John

When I told my buddy "Bald" Vinny Milano, de facto leader of the famed "Bleacher Creatures", and told him Tommy John was going to be inducted as the inaugural member of The Hall of Very Good™, his response was overwhelming. 

Perhaps it's because the former pitcher played a chunk of his career for the New York Yankees.

Bleacher Creatures Call Out Yankees Legends

"Bald Vinny" and The Bleacher Creatures are doing their best to try and win me over.

And it's working.

Full disclosure.  I'm not a New York Yankees fan, but when it comes to saluting their own...no one does it better.  Case in point...this year's annual Old-Timers Game.

Good friend of The Hall, "Bald Vinny' Milano (the de facto leaders of The Bleacher Creatures) really outdid themselves Sunday by performing their famed roll call for both lineups.

First up...the "Clippers".

Then, naturally, the "Bombers".

Oh, and feel free to hit up The Bleacher Creatures website and check out a full array of pictures from the special day.

Introducing Cedric the Bleacher Creature

Cedric the Entertainer has got is good.  And you know how I know?

Dude's latest movie is closing in on $300 million in a little less than two weeks in the theatres.  He goes, simply, by "the Entertainer". 

And this past weekend...he got to join "Bald Vinny" and become one of Yankee Stadium's famed "Bleacher Creatures".

Cedric isn't the only celebrity that's paid a visit to Section 203 recently.  It was just ten days ago that NBA superstar Antawn Jamison joined the New York Yankees legendary roll call.

NBA All-Star Joins the Bleacher Creatures

"Bald Vinny" and the famed Yankee Stadium "Bleacher Creatures" were joined by a pretty big fan Friday night. 

Literally.

Right before the New York Yankees squared off against the New York Mets, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison took part in the famous roll call.  And at 6'9"...he was probably the tallest cat in Section 203.

But the NBA All-Star isn't the only big name to have made his way to the bleachers in recent years.

According to my buddy, "Bleacher Creatures" leader "Bald Vinny" Milano...there have been a few names of note, including director Spike Lee, Yankees GM Brian Cashman, boadcaster Jack Curry and even current Yankee Nick Swisher's wife Joanna Garcia.

So how does one make their way to the bleachers to join "Bald Vinny" and the gang?

"(Yankees) PR me in the afternoon and asked if they could come visit," Milano told me.  It's that easy I guess.

Suffice it to say...the "Bleacher Creatures" obliged.

"Bald Vinny" is Done

I'm not a Yankees fan.  There...I said it.

But, I love baseball and I can appreciate a diehard fan...regardless of who he roots for.

Which brings me to this.

Vinny Milano, friend of The Hall and the de facto leader of the New York Yankees famed "Bleacher Creatures" is done.

That's right.  "Bald Vinny" is no more and he took to his blog to make the announcement.

The biggest reason for me to not return is the lack of stability my chosen career path affords. When this business began, I was single and living alone. These days I have an amazing wife by my side and two of the most beautiful children one could lay eyes on. It is simply impractical for me to continue under my current set of circumstances. I can not rely on the weather to cooperate or for the Yankees to win in order to bring home a paycheck. That was acceptable in the past, but my priorities have changed. I need to take care of my family.

I had the chance to talk with Milano earlier this season about baseball (even though we have vastly different allegiances), historic milestones and life as a father and I really got to appreciate the man behind the televised antics.

And like I said, I'm not a Yankees fan...but I will certainly miss watching "Bald Vinny" leading the roll call from Section 203.

Friday 5: Bald Vinny's Favorite Yankees Moments

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I can’t tell if the baseball world is enamored with New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter or tired of him.

Let’s break this down.

First, everyone was upset that he was elected to start at shortstop for this past Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Then, on Saturday, dude becomes just the 28th member of the 3000 hit club and it appeared as though the Earth’s orbit was re-configured to circle the Yankees captain instead of the sun.

But then, hate presented itself once again when the guy no one wanted in the All-Star Game to begin with…bowed out.

Huh?

One thing is for certain, when I reached out to my new pal “Bald Vinny” Milano, the de facto leader of the Yankees famed “Bleacher Creatures”, he wasted no time cluing me in as to what his favorite moment has been while in the stands.

Without question…it was sitting with his family in section 203 witnessing Jeter getting hits number 2999, 3000, 3001, 3002 and 3003 this past weekend.

Here are his other favorite Yankees moments.

On September 11, 2009, Derek Jeter got his 2722nd hit as a member of the New York Yankees to surpass Lou Gehrig and become the team’s all-time hit leader.

Milestones are part of the game and luck plays a part in being there when they are achieved. That said, Milano was in the stands for Alex Rodriguez’s 400th (June 8, 2005), 500th (August 4, 2007) and 600th (August 2, 2010) home runs. So, what’s so remarkable about that? Home run number 400 was hit on the road…against the Milwaukee Brewers.

On May 17, 1998, David Wells pitched the 15th perfect game in baseball history, when he blanked the Minnesota Twins 4–0. A few years later, he would claim that he threw the perfect game while being hung over.

On October 16, 2003, the only thing that stood between the Boston Red Sox and going to the World Series was an 11th inning home run by Aaron Boone off Tim Wakefield. This homer was rated the ninth best home run of all time on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight”.

Just seven weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. For only the third time in World Series history, the home team won every game.

“You watch the videos from 2001 and you remember what the city was like. You remember how baseball picked you up,” Milano told The Hall. “Those memories are all there…that’s the reason I go.”

Think back to all the games you’ve been to…what are your favorite memories?

Bald Vinny and friends prior to the first game after the September 11 attacks.

Friday 5: Bald Vinny

“We’re just screaming names, man…it’s not f*ckin’ rocket science.” - "Bald Vinny" Milano

I had heard of the Bleacher Creatures, seen the videos on YouTube and on ESPN and the YES Network, referenced the "Derek Jeter...clap clap clapclapclap", but I had no idea who or what they actually are or what they represent.

So...I did what anyone would do.  I reached out to their most visable characters...their de facto leader.

"Bald Vinny" Milano.

Emails were exchanged. LOTS of them. Finally, we agreed to just talk on the phone...what a novel concept!

What followed was a great conversation with a guy who loves baseball, his family, his friends and, of course, the New York Yankees.

Oh...that conversation is also part of this week's "Friday (More Than) 5"!

HOVG: How exactly did you become the leader of the “Bleacher Creatures”? Did someone have to bestow the honor upon you…were feats of strength involved?

BALD VINNY: My only feat of strength is that I’m a loud motherf*cker. I was around in the right place at the right time…that’s pretty much it. The group was there before I got there in 1998. Roll call had started before I got there. The guy who was doing it had gotten a full-time job…I had just been laid off thanks to the dot-com bubble burst. I was (at Yankee Stadium) every day because of work with my t-shirt company, so one thing led to another. I was kind of anointed the job by Tina Lewis, who is our Queen Bee. She is the one who asked me to start and as it turns out…I’m really loud. It was “you did a really good job yesterday…do you want to do it today?” “Okaaaaaay.” After that it sorta took on a life of its own.

HOVG: Tell me about that. How have the players responded?

BALD VINNY: First, it was a simple wave. But when Johnny Damon came over…he started to get down on one knee and give us a double finger point. After that, everyone started taking it to a whole new level. Every outfielder has his own thing.

HOVG: The outfielders are fun to watch…much better than the infielders with their simple wave if you ask me.

BALD VINNY: The simple infielder waves are still their waves though, you know. (Mark) Teixeira does two fingers up and a quick flick of the wrist. Robinson Cano turns all the way around. (Derek) Jeter kinda just flips us off nonchalantly. And “A-Rod” turns around and gives us a full wave. Even though its not as pronounced as what Brett Gardner or Curtis Granderson does…they still have their own signature moves.

HOVG: Baseball traditions are pretty storied…most of the older, most established teams have them. At Wrigley Field, you’ve got the rooftops and the bleacher bums throwing the ball back. How would you describe the bleacher experience at Yankee Stadium?

BALD VINNY: The bleacher experience at Yankee Stadium is a lot more than just the roll call. We have our traditions that go back to the old stadium…home run pools, attendance pools, betting on the 4 Train. Now that I think about it, it sounds like we do a lot of gambling, but it’s really not like that. (Laughs) We’re just a group of fans that have that special bond of Yankee baseball. We’re all a little bit obsessive. We’re all a little bit neurotic. We all have quirky personalities that make us what we are. Everyone brings a different element

HOVG: In your years in the bleachers…what is your most memorable moment or moments? Any good stories?

BALD VINNY: Baseballwise…the best moments are anytime you are there for history. Anytime you get to see one of those moments that they re-play all the time. Like (Aaron) Boone’s home run or a World Series victory. Even defensive gems! At the end of the season, I watch the year-end video and I’m all like “I was at that game…I remember that.” I remember Derek Jeter’s first grand slam. I was there for two perfect games. I remember all the World Series victories. You watch the videos from 2001 and you remember what the city was like. You remember how baseball picked you up. Those memories are all there…that’s the reason I go.

HOVG: As a lifelong Yankees fan, you’ve seen plenty of the game’s greats take the field in pinstripes. If you had to put together a “Yankees Mount Rushmore” (featuring guys you’re personally fond of)…who would be on it?

BALD VINNY: Bernie (Williams) is number one without a doubt. He’s my all-time favorite. Period. Jeter. Mariano (Rivera) and Andy Pettitte.

HOVG: When you’re not getting Nick Swisher to salute you…what does “Bald Vinny” do for a day job?

BALD VINNY: I run baldvinny.com. I make and create t-shirts for the hardcore Yankee fan. Most of my stuff is geared toward the “Bleacher Creatures”, but I also do a lot of the anti-Red Sox and anti-Mets apparel. The rivalries are really big for my business. If you’re walking into Modell’s to get your first Jeter jersey…my stuff is probably a little advanced for you. I cater to the guys who, if you look in their closet, is full of Yankees gear. They’ve got Yankees tattoos. They spend their one-week vacation every year at Yankees Stadium That’s the kind of customer I try to attract. Aside from that…I have two wonderful kids and I am a stay-at-home dad. At night, I get to run around and play “Yankee Guy”.

"Bald Vinny" can be fond on Twitter at, naturally, @baldvinny and on Facebook.  And if you see him at Yankee Stadium, give him a shout...before he shouts at you!