Adam Garrido might be the most famous unknown person in Mets history. Fans cheer his work everytime a Mets player hits a Home Run at Gil Hodges Memorial Park.
Garrido is in charge of both the video scoreboard and more importantly the Home Run Apple at the new diggs. With the lack of home field homers this year, Garrido has not had to worry about getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The Mets have only hit 47 Home Runs at home this year, and the apple was launched for 46 of them. The Apple was not prepared for back-to-back homers, which occurred when Brian Schneider and Fernando Tatis accomplished the feat earlier in the season.
Garrido is situated in the scoreboard control room in the press box behind home plate. The black button used to control the lift off of the Apple is in a gray metallic panel with the word “Launch” inscribed on it.
Garrido likes the new park, and is not bothered nor concerned about the lack of HR power the Mets have displayed this year stating, “It’s a good feeling when you can press it, but I like how the ballpark plays. It suits our style. I heard someone call it ‘Citi ball.’ I like that. I think it plays to our benefit.”
The new Apple received a lot of publicity, and we here at 24 Hours From Suicide, A Day In The Life Of A Met Fan were the first to report and show video on the construction of the new Apple. Dave Howard, the Mets executive vice president for business operations,is still amazed that a whopping 89%of Mets fans wanted the Apple brought to the new park. Says Howard, “Eighty-nine percent, that’s an absolute mandate.”
Last night Mr. Garrido was able to “launch” the Apple twice on home runs by Jeff Francoeur and Daniel Murphy.
Looking forward to 2010, I'm sure Arrido will be using that right thumb that launches the Apple more frequently.
Source: DAVID WALDSTEIN - NY Times
No comments:
Post a Comment