Philly Superfan Interview

You went from the nosebleed seats to the Diamond Club to the field to the locker room — at any point did you decide, OK, this is the real deal, they’re going to have to shoot a tranquilizer dart right into my face to get me out of here? Or were you prepared at all times to just go if asked?

I was pretty much just going with the flow. I never really thought I would go onto the field, let alone get into the clubhouse. My seats were originally by the left field foul pole for the Monday game. Four of my friends sit down in the Diamond Club area. We also have season tickets to the Eagles game together and have since the Linc opened. I just sensed the Phillies would win that game and end the Philly curse. I wanted to be able to celebrate with my friends since we have pretty much been together for 100 combined past seasons of our sports teams not winning the Championship. I wanted to celebrate with them. Once I got onto the field and got the Championship t-shirt and the lei from Mrs. Victorino I just felt part of the celebration. I wanted to be there not just for myself but for every fan that finally was able to celebrate OUR team winning.

Do you have kids? What’s the lesson here for the youngsters?

I don’t have any children but I do have a bunch of neices and nephews and my fiancé has a 4-year-old son. Most of my friends who have kids say they are all excited to know me. My family feels the same way and is happy for me. As for the lesson for kids I would never suggest to any child to put themselves in a position to get in trouble. I always try to treat others with respect and I have and always will try to live my life not to embarrass myself or my family. I try to live my life that whenever my name is mentioned I would want 10 out of 10 people have a smile on their faces when they talk about me. My Mom is the biggest inspiration in my life and I tried to live a good life and treat others with respect which is what she always taught me.

Are you at all concerned about the CBP staff all carrying little laminated copies of your photo during the 2009 season? Like, watch out for THIS GUY?

No, I’m not worried about that at all. I wasn’t invited in on the celebration but it was a dream come true. If the Phillies or any other organization would ban someone who has lived their entire life rooting and bleeding GREEN, RED AND ORANGE AND BLACK, then so be it. I have and will always remain faithful to my teams. Their OUR teams, the city of Philadelphia. 10 years from now most of the owners, players and managers will be long gone, but I will still be there rooting for my teams either at the ballpark or from the comfort of my home or local tap room. Plus if the employees did have laminated photos of me I bet you they would ask me to sign it for them.

What’s the mindset during a caper like this — does paranoia about being busted take the edge off the fun a little, or are you so completely in the moment that you actually start feeling like you’ve got a right to be there? 

When I noticed the big guy [Bud Selig] walking towards the Tampa dugout I just took a chance that he was important. I just reacted to the outpouring of excitement coming from the stands and watching the celebration on the field. Like every other person at the game or watching on TV I wanted to be in the middle and celebrate with the team.

Most people aren’t going to get to follow Bud Selig out to the WS trophy presentation. But everyone’s tried to upgrade their seats in the 6th or seventh. Give me some advice for getting past a hardcore usher blocking your access to field level seats.

In my opinion if someone is trying to get better seats the best thing to do is act like you belong. Try to be nice to the usher, get into a small conversation before you try to head down. The ones who get caught look out of place. Talk to the usher, have a beverage in one hand and something else in the other to make it look like you just left your seat to get something from the concession stands.

Things worked out differently. You got booted from the locker room and some time later you’re standing in front of David Montgomery, who wants to know why you shouldn’t be banned from CBP for life. What do you say? 

I would tell him the Phillies and every other team is marketed for us, for the fans, because without us the players don’t make the money they do and the team’s value would not increase 20% every single year. Sports franchises spend a lot of money on advertising their product. I would apologize to him for the act but I would also tell him no one will ever be able to take that memory away from me. I would also ask for my cut in the video sales since I am in every one…….that’s a bit of a joke……

Any creative ideas for getting the Phillies to invite me to throw out the first pitch at a game in 2009?

I’m not sure what you have done so far to try to get your dream answered but I would start by writing a letter and telling them that is your dream. That you are a life long fan, that you are a charitable person; you help raise money for ALS which the Phillies sponsor. I would also tell them your friends with me, maybe that would work.
 
Some people have been writing crazy stuff about your caper — not all of it supportive.

I’m not sorry for what I did. When I was in the clubhouse I really felt I was there for every Philly fan who has suffered rooting for OUR teams. WE WON AND NOBODY CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US!!!!!

Beautiful. Thanks, Mike.