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Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Benjamin Grimm Jun 20 2012 01:32 PM

I don't know if any of you recall the Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium. (I know I don't.) But the good news is... he wrote a book! And it was even reviewed by a rabbi! (You don't see that every day.) I just received the following in a promotional e-mail message: For Immediate Release: New Book About New York Mets published on Kindle Meeting the Mets: A Quirky History of A Quirky Team, volume one of a two-part retrospective on the history of the New York Mets, has been published on Amazon Kindle. It will be available also in a print-on-demand format from Gyldan Edge Publishing. The author, Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey, attended over 1600 games at the Polo Grounds and William A. Shea Municipal Stadium between July 15, 1962, and July 16, 2002. While he has not attended games since that point for reasons that are described in the book, he was pretty visible in the stands as a very unofficial cheerleader for over a quarter of a century, known as “The Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium.” Droleskey provides a personal retrospective on the origins of the Mets, highlighting some of the quirks of a quirky team, including memories of utterly meaningless games that might put a smile or two on the faces of those who have followed the team over the years. The books contains lots of trivia about the Mets and baseball, interspersed with personal many bits of cultural trivia and history that will capture the reader’s attention. A vast revision and expansion of his first book on the Mets, There Is No Cure For This Condition, which was published in 2001, this book has been methodically researched and documented to assure its factual accuracy (memory can be a little tricky as the years pass by). There are also observations concerning the state of baseball and today, noting changes that have taken place in the past fifty years. Rabbi Meyer Schiller had the following to say about Meeting the Mets: A Quirky History of a Quirky Team: “Dr. Thomas Droleskey spent many years delighting in the simple pleasures of baseball, fun and human fellowship as a devoted follower of the New York Mets. Indeed, his genius in pursuing the aforementioned led him to assume the unique alter ego of the Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium. Here is the whole delicious tale related with relish and joy. “Yet, this book is far more than a baseball fan's affectionate memoir, for it traces life's happiness to its Ultimate Source, Almighty God. Thus, the reader will learn of far more than a devotee's view of the Mets. This is a thinly veiled account of one man's deep yearning for faith and truth; a yearning so profound that it finally led him to abandon his personal field of dreams when its environs proved inhospitable to Divine Truths. “Reminiscent of Belloc's Voyage of the Nona we have here a page turning classic which uses this world to teach us about Eternity.” Reviewer James Bemis wrote the following in 2002 about There Is No Cure for This Condition: “I always suspected my mad, private passion was singular, a fever raging within that no one else shared. Hour after hour, I'd study The Sporting News stats, play board games like Strat-O-Matic, constantly finger my baseball cards. It's immensely heartening to know that elsewhere in this gigantic country of ours, there was another kid as fanatical as me - maybe even more so. “No book in recent memory captures the sheer fun of baseball's glory days so well as "There Is No Cure." Droleskey, a self-described "vagabond college professor/writer/speaker/pizza maker/marathon long-distance driver" is best known to baseball fans as the famed Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium. His love for both the game's nobility and its quirkiness are absolutely infectious.” (James Bemis, Review of There is No Cure for this Condition.” The late columnist Joseph Sobran wrote: “One who really had loved them all along was my friend Tom Droleskey, whose colorful presence at hundreds of Mets’ games earned him the title “the Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium.” He has written a funny, charming memoir of his life as a Mets fan.” (Joseph Sobran, Sobran’s, August 29, 2002.) Mets’ fans in particular and baseball fans in general will enjoy reading Meeting the Mets: A Quirky History of a Quirky Team. And a few fans of the White Sox might recall Droleskey's two years at old Comiskey Park, which are recalled with fondness herein. Hi-Yo, Silver, Away! Let’s Go, Mets!

Benjamin Grimm Jun 20 2012 01:34 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

"I didn't know the Lone Ranger was Jewish!"

Ceetar Jun 20 2012 01:37 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

No recollection of said Lone Ranger. hmm, I don't think I've noticed Cow Bell Man in a while.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 01:50 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Unofficial Cheerleaders, Ranked [list=1][*]Sign Man[/*:m] [*]Cowbell Man[/*:m] [*]Coneheads[/*:m] [*]Lady Who Twirled Her Arms[/*:m] [*]Sign Man II[/*:m] [*]Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium[/*:m][/list:o]

Ceetar Jun 20 2012 02:00 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Unofficial Cheerleaders, Ranked [list=1][*]Sign Man[/*:m] [*]Cowbell Man[/*:m] [*]Coneheads[/*:m] [*]Lady Who Twirled Her Arms[/*:m] [*]Sign Man II[/*:m] [*]Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium[/*:m][/list:o] That works for me. Do we rank fringe cheerleaders that may or may not have staying power or as long a history, like Darren of the 7 Line or Pin Man or that dog that with the pipe?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 02:01 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I remember seeing the Lone Ranger guy on some footage.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 02:06 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Unofficial Cheerleaders, Ranked [list=1][*]Sign Man[/*:m] [*]Cowbell Man[/*:m] [*]Coneheads[/*:m] [*]Lady Who Twirled Her Arms[/*:m] [*]Sign Man II[/*:m] [*]Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium[/*:m][/list:o] That works for me. Do we rank fringe cheerleaders that may or may not have staying power or as long a history, like Darren of the 7 Line or Pin Man or that dog that with the pipe? Maybe at the back end. You gotta put in a few years. Sorry Darren.

Lefty Specialist Jun 20 2012 02:20 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I'm not normally a violent person, but for Cow-Bell-Man, I could make an exception.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 02:32 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Really? A family needs it's annoying Cousin Tommies, who can't quite figure out if we love him because of his act, or despite it. So he continues it, for years. And we all become afraid to sit down to tell him he doesn't have to be an idiot, that we all love him anyway, except we're afraid that rather than lift his fear, we worry that it might just make him feel ridiculous for carrying on all those years. It's dysfunctional, but it's part of what makes us a family. And it's beautiful. That guy is nothing without his Cow-Bell Man identity. You know he's got custom plates, and a flag and a tattoo and shit. But take that away and what do you have? Another guy that nobody will talk to at work. The world has enough of those. Give me CBM.

soupcan Jun 20 2012 02:54 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I'm pretty sure that I saw Cowbell Man at games wearing a jersey that read 'COW BELLMAN' on the back, which I thought was pretty funny because I'm sure it was unintentional. In looking for pictures of that I only found this: and another that said 'COWBELLMAN' So between 'COW BELLMAN', 'COW-BELL MAN' and 'COWBELLMAN' the guy had a shirt in every configuration of his moniker except the correct one. Put me down as a Cowbell Man hater as well and note that his inability to properly personalize a jersey played a large part in that.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 03:02 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

See, that's the best part.

G-Fafif Jun 20 2012 04:52 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I recall the Lone Ranger being a Right to Life Party candidate for some office in Suffolk County. He didn't win and he probably wasn't listed on the ballot as the Lone Ranger.

Lefty Specialist Jun 20 2012 05:36 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Edgy DC wrote: Really? A family needs it's annoying Cousin Tommies, who can't quite figure out if we love him because of his act, or despite it. So he continues it, for years. And we all become afraid to sit down to tell him he doesn't have to be an idiot, that we all love him anyway, except we're afraid that rather than lift his fear, we worry that it might just make him feel ridiculous for carrying on all those years. It's dysfunctional, but it's part of what makes us a family. And it's beautiful. That guy is nothing without his Cow-Bell Man identity. You know he's got custom plates, and a flag and a tattoo and shit. But take that away and what do you have? Another guy that nobody will talk to at work. The world has enough of those. Give me CBM. Sometimes families need to stage interventions. They could lure him with the promise of meeting Christopher "More Cowbell!" Walken and then bind his arms while crushing his cowbell with a 10-ton drill press and setting his sticks on fire. Next I'll work on that guy who sings in the "Kars for Kidz" commercial.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 05:37 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Still, I hesitate to put Sign Man II ahead of any other Shea character with a I after his name.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 20 2012 06:20 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I'm pretty sure Cow-Bell Man/CowBellMan/Cowbell Man lives in the Bronx, and takes the same bus home from Citi that I do. In which case, he gets LWFS bonus points for living in enemy territory, and for having to put up with someone more annoying than him-- a CitiField employee who only knows volume-level 11-- for about 40 minutes straight.

themetfairy Jun 20 2012 06:23 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Cow Bell Man is a nice guy, and he bleeds blue and orange. Even if you don't love him, there's no reason for hostility.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 20 2012 06:43 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I always felt that CBM mutes his cowbell too much. I want to see him let loose and really put his heart and soul into that cowbell.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 20 2012 07:12 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

So what you're saying is, you need more cowbell?

seawolf17 Jun 20 2012 07:19 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I distinctly remember the Lone Ranger at games, and I like Cowbellman, in whatever configuration his name exists. I also remember a guy who I'm assuming was Sign Man II; he was out in left field on Fan Appreciation Day 1985, when my friend Lou's dad brought a gaggle of us nine-year-olds to the game for Lou's birthday. I distinctly remember said group of nine-year-olds happily chanting along "BULL -- SHIT" to one of the signs.

Ceetar Jun 20 2012 09:09 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

seawolf17 wrote: I distinctly remember the Lone Ranger at games, and I like Cowbellman, in whatever configuration his name exists. I also remember a guy who I'm assuming was Sign Man II; he was out in left field on Fan Appreciation Day 1985, when my friend Lou's dad brought a gaggle of us nine-year-olds to the game for Lou's birthday. I distinctly remember said group of nine-year-olds happily chanting along "BULL -- SHIT" to one of the signs. he still, at least I think it's the same guy, shows up occasionally. He was always in teh corner spot of the Loge, and is now often in the corner Pepsi Porch spot.

G-Fafif Jun 21 2012 06:07 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger? Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 21 2012 07:09 AM

The Veterans Committee pays homage to the two originals, from the Polo Grounds, as chronicled by George Vecsey in Joy in Mudville: Looie Kleppel and Mother of the Mets. They were the twin sirens of the Harlem River, the Scylla and Charybdis of 155th Street. To navigate them safely required all the nerve a wayfaring player could muster. Looie and Mother of the Mets were not friends. They traded charges about the misappropriation of funds after a collection for a watch for Willie Mays back in the 1950s. Whatever the reason, when the Mets were formed Looie took one side of the bleachers and Mother of the Mets took the other. Together they formed stereophonic sound but they were strictly soloists and never a duet. "Hickman," Looie would shout. "Hickman, listen to me. You've got to swing at the first pich, Hickman. A big boy like you, you could be a star. I taught Whitey Lockman. Ask Monte Irvin what I did for him. Hickman, are you listening to me?" And Jim Hickman, still unsure of himself in his first nervous months in the big city, would glance sideways, utter a nervous "hello, Looie" as he passed [on his way to the center field clubhouse]. This was like playing dues because Looie threatened to "roast you like a potato" if you ignored him. Mother of the Mets had a different style, preaching to her own congregation. She was a big-boned Negro woman who had spent her years working for a wealthy family, and she now seemed comfortable in retirement. She called herself "Mother of the Mets" but her real name, she said, was Sadie James. [Her] motherly advice would be broadcast to the players -- visiting and home -- as they clumped down the wooden steps. Looie and Sadie both had the kind of noisy charisma that attracted knots of gaping youngsters. Little boys from the North Bronx or Rego Park or Leonia, N.J., followed these sages of the bleachers, absorbing the wisdom of the ages. Sadie tended to mother her young followers, drawing them together. She also brought congratulations cards for players or reporters whose wives had given birth. She thought of the Mets as her family, and she frequently lamented: "What am I going to do when my boys move to that new stadium?"

HahnSolo Jun 21 2012 06:47 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Pin Man once gave my kids pins during a rain delay...can he crack the top 5?

Edgy MD Jun 21 2012 07:08 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Sure, go Pin Man.

HahnSolo Jun 21 2012 07:59 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

And here he is, with Cow Bell Man. Talk about a power summit!

soupcan Jun 21 2012 08:49 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

themetfairy wrote: Cow Bell Man is a nice guy, and he bleeds blue and orange. Even if you don't love him, there's no reason for hostility. I'm sure he is a perfectly swell guy (albeit grammatically challenged), and I don't harbor any ill will towards the person, I just think the whole act is stupid. He's a bad knock-off of that dude from Yankee Stadium who bangs a spoon on a frying pan. And that guy's bad to begin with, so....

Ceetar Jun 21 2012 08:55 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

I think part of the reason the fans don't seem as "in to it" at Citi Field is because there is less cowbellman. He seems to be there less plus the construction of the stadium was such that it eliminated fans walking in front of you all the time, which is where he thrived.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 21 2012 09:01 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Ceetar wrote: I think part of the reason the fans don't seem as "in to it" at Citi Field is because there is less cowbellman. I think it's because they haven't finished with a winning record since the last year at Shea.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 21 2012 09:06 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

soupcan wrote: themetfairy wrote: Cow Bell Man is a nice guy, and he bleeds blue and orange. Even if you don't love him, there's no reason for hostility. I'm sure he is a perfectly swell guy (albeit grammatically challenged), and I don't harbor any ill will towards the person, I just think the whole act is stupid. He's a bad knock-off of that dude from Yankee Stadium who bangs a spoon on a frying pan. And that guy's bad to begin with, so.... I agree. It's like the Emperors New Clothes with this Cow Bell Man. What might've been passably endearing with the New Breeders in the Polo Grounds is now, well it's something else. And that new sign man guy with the "We Believe" for every other play (/rolls eyes) ... let's just say he ain't no Karl Ehrhardt.

Ceetar Jun 21 2012 09:14 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Ceetar wrote: I think part of the reason the fans don't seem as "in to it" at Citi Field is because there is less cowbellman. I think it's because they haven't finished with a winning record since the last year at Shea. well, i did say _part_ of the reason.

HahnSolo Jun 21 2012 09:50 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

soupcan wrote: themetfairy wrote: Cow Bell Man is a nice guy, and he bleeds blue and orange. Even if you don't love him, there's no reason for hostility. I'm sure he is a perfectly swell guy (albeit grammatically challenged), and I don't harbor any ill will towards the person, I just think the whole act is stupid. He's a bad knock-off of that dude from Yankee Stadium who bangs a spoon on a frying pan. And that guy's bad to begin with, so.... Isn't that guy dead at the present time?

soupcan Jun 21 2012 09:54 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

HahnSolo wrote: soupcan wrote: themetfairy wrote: Cow Bell Man is a nice guy, and he bleeds blue and orange. Even if you don't love him, there's no reason for hostility. I'm sure he is a perfectly swell guy (albeit grammatically challenged), and I don't harbor any ill will towards the person, I just think the whole act is stupid. He's a bad knock-off of that dude from Yankee Stadium who bangs a spoon on a frying pan. And that guy's bad to begin with, so.... Isn't that guy dead at the present time? Who? The 'Freddie Sez' guy? I think you may be right.

HahnSolo Jun 21 2012 10:30 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Yeah, Freddie Sez died a couple of years ago.

Lefty Specialist Jun 21 2012 10:39 AM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

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Mets – Willets Point Jun 21 2012 12:15 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Unofficial Cheerleaders, Ranked [list=1][*]Sign Man[/*:m] [*]Cowbell Man[/*:m] [*]Coneheads[/*:m] [*]Lady Who Twirled Her Arms[/*:m] [*]Sign Man II[/*:m] [*]Lone Ranger of Shea Stadium[/*:m][/list:o] I nominate Michael Sergio despite just one appearance, but what a memorable appearance it was.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 21 2012 02:06 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

Seconded.

Lefty Specialist Jun 21 2012 02:23 PM Re: Catching up with... The Lone Ranger?

If only Wally Backman could have been miked up at the moment he landed.....