Day 49 - Shaq-attack & Green Day

Yeah, the big goof on the the mound...that's Shaq. If you haven't watched any SportsCenter...then you don't know about how Shaq challenged Pujols to a homerun derby. Pujols just replied with, "good luck." I always thought Pujols was a big dude...but Shaq...well, he towered over Pujols standing next to him.

I need to say a quick thank you to Green Day. They were in concert last night at the Scott Trade Center and several of the beer men were working there instead of the Cards game. This allowed for much higher than normal sales with the few of us guys that were in our commissary. Green Day, thank you!

I honestly don't have any stories from last night. I could complain about the heat...but I'm not gonna. It's summer. It's supposed to be hot. Not to mention, we are in the mid-west...it's supposed to be humid. Ah, the joys of sweating off 5 lbs a game...(i'm not joking).

Totals thus far:
73 Bags of Cracker Jacks
114 Bottles of Water
205 Bags of Peanuts
2901 Bottles of Beer

Day 44 - "ID please"...."you're a hard ass!"

I really don't know what I could say that could even compare to the game that took place last night.

I am still mad at myself for leaving the stadium last night. By the time I got through checking out and clocked out, it was the middle of the 9th inning. I decided that I would get to my car in time to beat the traffic since I knew I had a busy day ahead of me. As I was walking across the parking lot next to the stadium, I hear the roar of the crowd as the Cardinals got a runner on second and had the game winning run at the plate.

I walked past Mike Shannon's and stopped to look up at one of the screens that the game was projected onto. The "bouncer" standing there told me to come on in and I could watch if I wanted to from inside...I was rather shocked I wasn't carded...but maybe I'm just used to being the "hard ass" (yes, I was called that last night) that I am carding people in the stadium.

I watched the Cards tie up the game and I decide to head on home...I couldn't go back into the stadium anyways or I would have gone back in...and I personally didn't care to just stand around at Shannon's in my sweat-soaked uniform.

It was weird. I was sitting at home watching the game I was just working at. Then I got pissed. I realized my phone just died, so I went to grab the charger from my room and when I came back and looked at the tv, the game was over. Albert's walk-off hit was amazing...seen through replays...oh well...I have a hunch I'll see him hit many homeruns at a home game this season...

Anyways...last night was pretty amazing...not just the game, but in sales. I did pretty well! I decided that I would stop selling Cracker Jacks and sell bottled water in its place since I'd make more commission off of bottled water. Not to mention, cracker jack sales haven't been the best for me lately...

Stories and such from last night's game -

-I was called a "hard ass". I had a group of 4 ask for 4 beers. The guy on the end asked for them. I only got a quick glance at him and the guy next to him and the girl in the 4th seat down, but not the 3rd person. Since they looked like they were in their late 20's, I still carded them. (Reminder: we are to ID anyone who appears to be under 31 1/2) So the guy asked if I needed all 4 of them and I said yes. Well that 3rd person I didn't get a look at, looked like it was this dude's mom. He showed me his ID and he said he was 33 and his wife was older than him. So he showed me his wife's ID and she was older than him...she was in her late 40's...nearly a 15 year age difference....Anyways the girl at the end who I did see before wasn't too happy either...she asked me if I really needed to see her ID because she was going to have trouble getting it out of her wallet with a sprained wrist...she then lifted her wrist up to show the brace she had on. I asked if one of the guys could please help her and they finally got it. She was upset to the point where she wasn't even wanting the beer and called me a hard ass for carding them when they were clearly old enough...I gave them their 4 beers and collected their money...

My job as a beer man...(my only job and only source of income)...is too important to me to keep than to get fired for not carding someone and possibly getting caught selling to a minor! It seems to be that about every night, I have just one or two groups who get all pissed off about me carding them. Most people already have their ID ready for me to check. What's the big deal? If someone has gray hair and is obviously in their 80's, no, I won't card them...9 times out of 10, people (ladies) appreciate being carded.

-I sold an entire case of beer by only walking down one row of steps into one section...awesomeness! I nearly sold another full case during the bottom of the 7th inning in a different section!

-During the play where Manny caught that ball that cause a stir in the crowd, personally, it looked like it was a homerun where Manny put a little hollywood into it to get it called fan interference...I don't know why all of the fans thought that the beer man would know everything about that play that just happened, but I was bombarded with questions from people asking me what happened and why they called back that homerun...I just replied back that it'd be on Sports Center or Baseball Tonight later tonight...and it was.

Overall, I think I did pretty well in sales compared to other beer men...I sold right at 3 1/2 cases and I was shocked to hear how some of the guys didn't even get past their 2nd case...

I've come to learn that as a beer man, it's not just about making 'regular' customers through a game, but also being in the right spot at the right time....basically having ice cold beer when everyone around you is thirsty. ...mmmmm...that just made me thirsty...

Totals thus far:
73 Bags of Cracker Jacks
86 Bottles of Water
176 Bags of Peanuts
2511 Bottles of Beer

Day 40 - The All-Star Game

**Editor's Note** (This is part 3 of a 3 part blog covering the 3 events this beer man will be working at during the All-Star break)

***I have pictures of the events that took place during the All-Star Game that I have yet to upload. I plan to have them uploaded on here in the next few days.

To start off the day, I had to park in a different garage. The garage I usually park in was full...was I surprised? No. It was the fricken day of the All-Star Game. So I parked in the Macy's garage since we could use our parking passes there for the All-Star events....so I only spent $6.50 instead of $15 on parking that the Macy's garage was charging.

I was worried about making it into the stadium on time since the Red Carpet Parade was going on when I got downtown. I didn't know how I was going to get across Market Street to get to the stadium in time...and then to stand in line to get through the security/secret service. My luck would have it that the parade ended just as I was getting up to the corner of Broadway and Market. So I made it across the red carpet and headed to Gate 6. Gate 6 was the only gate Sports Services employees could go through. I saw the long line and decided that I would try my luck of jumping the line and going through. I walked straight up to the security and they let me in after going through the metal detector. I guess they hadn't officially opened the gates to fans. The guard went through every single zipper on my backpack. I was asked to turn my phone and camera on to show them that were actually what they looked like...an iPhone and a camera...As I entered through the gate, there were numerous secret service men standing there as well as a few drug dogs there to help sniff people out.

While waiting for the game to start, the beer men in commissary 240 were looking down at the field and all of the commotion going on throughout the stadium from the top of section 240. That's when one of the beer men noticed the snipers on the roofs. With Obama coming to throw the first pitch, there was so much security. There were 2 snipers at each of the three locations on the top of the roof above sections 370, 430, and 450. It was awesome and crazy to see at the same time.

I started to go out and sell about 2 hours before the game was supposed to start. I made a few sales...but nothing too amazing...I had a case sold before the line up was announced. But a story I want to share is about someone I met. I didn't get the guys name...but he had on a very very very large ring on his finger. Let's just say it was a Super Bowl ring. It was large! I could see the Super Bowl trophy on the top of the ring with shinny gems around it and I could tell that it said 197-. I couldn't tell what the last digit was, but it was from the 1970's. The guy was probably in his late 50's....so it's not like I could card him to find out who he was...but I was in a state of shock and awe of this dude and his ring that I just froze. He told me to be sure to visit frequently with cold beer. I went back to that section several times and he never needed a beer whenever I came back. He was with a few other guys who just shunned me away when I came back with more beer....

Before the game even started...there was the opening ceremonies...almost like the Olympics Opening Ceremonies...ok, but on a slightly smaller scale. After I sold through my first case of beer, I loaded back up and stood between section 249 and 250. There were so many people standing in between the sections...the supervisory for my commissary was standing there next to me and she saw me trying to take pictures. She came over to me and told me to take my beer tub down the steps and then sit on it at the front row of the section and take pictures. So I did just that.

I was able to take numerous pictures of the announcing of the line up and seeing Sheryl Crow sing the National Anthem. It was amazing to see the standing ovation that Albert got when he was announced. When the video of the 5 Presidents was played...Obama did get booed...while the other 4 presidents got very loud cheers. George W. Bush with the loudest cheers...which was rather odd in my opinion. There was even a mixture of cheering and booing when Obama came out for the first pitch. When this was brought up in the commissary between the beer men when we were checking out...a flood of debates flared up between Democrats and Republicans and who screwed up the most in the past as President...blah blah blah...all I know is the truth is that Obama got booed...and Bush got loud cheers...it was just crazy....I didn't cheer for any of them honestly.

After the National Anthem was sang, an amazing event occurred...a stealth bomber flew over the stadium...it looked so huge compared to the pics I got. It looked so close to the stadium when it flew over. It was amazing!

It was then that the usher at the end of the steps i was standing next to told me to make my way back up the steps... I couldn't believe this crap...I was out of everyone's way and doing no harm to anyone. So I went up to the top of the steps and just stood on the top of the case of beer in my beer tub to get a better view of the field over the people standing in front of me. I got a few pictures of Obama taking the mound for the first pitch. I saw the replay on Sports Center and I think that for Obama being as ripped as he has been portrayed in photos, that was a weak pitch to Albert.

I didn't see a single beer man moving through any aisle while the opening ceremonies were taking place. It was quite the site to see...so many people packed into the stadium and no one moved or did anything besides stand and cheer during the half hour before the game started.

Once the opening ceremonies concluded, it was on like donkey kong...I sold my second case of beer in a matter of minutes...and then it was like pulling teeth to sell anything for the next hour. But after making one sale in this one section to this grandpa (I say that cause he was talking to me about his grandsons sitting next to him) he bought a Bud Light from me. I walked to the end of the steps and while I was looking back up, I saw the grandpa about 3/4 of the way up the section and he looked down to one of his grandsons...probably the youngest of the 3 grandsons...I'd say about 5 years old, and gave him a drink of beer from the bottle. I was shocked. I started to make my way up to report him when he already made his way out of the section. I told an usher and left it for him to deal with. I hear numerous people near him yell at him and he just chuckled and asked his grandson if he liked it and he said yes...

This next story is rather amazing!!! I was on my way up the steps of one section when this guy motioned for 2 beers. I recognized the two gentlemen sitting there from standing around behind section 250 for the first inning or two...so I imagined they had standing room only tickets. Anyways....as I made my way over, I noticed that one guy had a Royals jersey on and was sleeping! I'm not joking, the guy had his eyes closed! So maybe he was praying...I'm not sure, but he had his eyes closed! When his buddy asked him what kind of beer he wanted he quickly woke up and looked around...

That's when I had the most amazing conversation with this gentlemen in the Royals jersey. He asked me if I was a NASCAR driver too. I looked at him and was confused as every. I told him no. He replied, "well you wear the same gloves as them NASCAR drivers"
I told him that I had them to help me get a better grip on my beer tub.
"So is this a summer job?"
"No...this is kind of actually my job right now" I said.
"Oh? well what do you do?"
I told him how I am a graphic designer and was laid off from my job and was finishing up a contract job that ended this Friday.
He went on to tell me that I had an amazing job to get my by in the mean-time and then told me how his wife works for a promotional company and they are always looking for graphic designers...and then asked me if I had a card on me.
"No, but I can email" I said as I pulled out my iPhone.
"Do that. Send me your contact info. Be sure to remind me that you were the beer man at the All-Star Game...and I'll see what myself or my wife can do for you."
So I got his email address and am sending him an email as soon as this blog is completed.

That'd be pretty sweet to possibly get a job from simply talking to someone while being a beer man...but then again, he did have a Royals jersey on and was sort of sleeping...THROUGH THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!!


This next story is just down right hilarious...well, I was simply quick witted and shut a fan up pretty quick. I was making a sale to lady who looked rather young for her age, so I carded her and she was actually 25 and was buying 2 beers from me. I carded her. As I was about to open the first beer a man behind me yelled, "hey, beer man!" So I turned around, thinking I was going to make another sale before the end of the inning and the guy yelled to me, "Is she even old enough to be buying those beers from you?" I said, "Yeah, she is. I carded her." I went back to finishing the sale with the young lady and heard the same guy yell again, "Hey beer man!" I turned back towards him and he yelled, "are you sure? because she doesn't even look old enough!" I quickly yelled back to him, "Well neither do I!" He just looked back at me slightly puzzled and turned back around.

Overall, it was an awesome night! I didn't sell as much as I had hoped for, but 4 cases wasn't too bad either. I was honestly hoping to sell at least 5...but for some reason, people weren't drinking that quick after the game was half-way through...and it didn't help that the game went by quickly.

On my way back to my car, I was kicking myself in the butt for not trying to get one of the seat cushions that was placed on every single seat in the stadium. It was a promotion by State Farm, but looked really sweet and had the All-Star logo on it. I was wanting one really bad...So I asked a guy that was walking in front of me that had 3 seat cushions if he was needing all 3 of them or was willing to get rid of one of them. He looked back at me and said, "Yeah, I need them" and him and his buddy turned and went a different direction from where I was walking. The tone in his voice was as if I was someone trying to scam him or was about to mug him...I couldn't believe it...I asked politely...oh well...better luck next time i guess...

I still can't believe that I was blessed and fortunate enough to be a part of something so amazing as the All-Star Game. I am so blessed to have been laid off from that job I had nearly a year ago. I just can't wait to see what other doors open up!

Be sure to check back here in the next few days for photos I took of the All-Star Game.

Totals thus far:
65 Bags of Cracker Jacks
80 Bottles of Water
158 Bags of Peanuts
2221 Bottles of Beer

Day 39 - Home Run Derby

**Editor's Note** (This is part 2 of a 3 part blog covering the 3 events this beer man will be working at during the All-Star break)

I can't believe it. I got paid to see something so amazing! It's still really surreal. The fact that I'm watching Sports Center right now and the HR Derby is the only thing they are really talking about...that's just cool.

I have a flood of memories going through my head from tonight and I'll do my best to fit them in here tactfully.

I drove downtown a bit early just to enjoy the surroundings and to be sure I made it to the stadium on time. While walking through Kiener Plaza, I was surrounded by people. It was awesome! Felt like what the downtown of a city should feel like on a regular basis.

I enjoyed my walk to the stadium and seeing how much the city had transformed into a media circus for the next few days.


I decided to go out w/ my beer and peanuts early tonight to try and make up for the pitiful night last night...It was still rough honestly selling beer till about 5:30...so many people were down next to the field...but event he people who were already in their seats weren't wanting any beer yet...

So I did what everyone else was doing. I watched. I stood around for about 45 minutes watching the National and American Leagues take bp. I would still ask people walking past me if they wanted some beer...but I took it easy cause I knew it was going to be a long night.

I got a good chuckle when they announced the mascots that are in the MLB...of course the place went crazy when Fred Bird was introduced. The crowd was mostly Cardinal fans...which was just awesome...but the place went crazy when they would ask people to 'thank' STL and Busch Stadium for hosting.

I met the owner of the St. Louis Cardinal's brother. He was in the first row of section 253. He told me about watching the Cardinals at Sportsman Park and how his grandpa had owned the Cardinals from the '20s-'50s. As a season ticket holder, he told me that even though his brother owns the Cardinals, he still makes him pay for his tickets.

Nikko Smith performed the National Anthem. An amazing voice on that kid. Then there were a couple of jets that flew over the stadium after the national anthem...it was so amazing! Not to mention, seeing his father, yes, the Ozzie Smith, throw out the first pitch of the night. I also got to see David Cook perform a few songs. It was pretty amazing to get to see the performances by both artists. The picture to the right is from my phone of David Cook's performance.

I also met Lee Smith at the game tonight. He was sitting in the top row of a section I was selling beer in. I noticed several people talking to him and I asked an usher what the deal was and so after I found out who he was, I met him. If you don't know who I'm talking about, click on the link on his name.

I had several people ask me if I was enjoying myself tonight. Does a beer crap in the woods? Is the Pope Catholic? I had an amazing time. I'll be honest though, I got tired real quickly through the night. That tub of beer got pretty heavy as the night went on...and it's not like I wasn't selling anything...it was just a long night.

When Albert came up to bat, I sat my tub down behind section 250 and watched what I anticipated to be much more of an amazing show that what actually took place. Personally, I think it was all of the media that was already picking Pujols to win it and that pressure just got to him...just my opinion...It looked like hundreds of strobe lights were placed throughout the stadium...so many camera flashes were going off when Albert came up to bat. It was such an amazing site to see.

It was amazing to hear the crowd when Albert was first announced...when they were announcing all 8 of the hitters for the night. The roar of the crowd was so loud. (how loud was it?) It was so loud that I couldn't hear the PA announcer or could I hear anything at all. It was by far the loudest I have ever heard the crowd at Busch Stadium...and I've witnessed some amazing games and some amazingly loud crowds...simply amazing!

As for selling beer tonight...I had a guy ask me how much a case of beer would cost at the stadium. I told him $210 (since the price of beer is $8.75)...He looked back at me as if he was thinking. His buddy next to him looked at him, then at me, then back to him and yelled a concerned "no!" His buddy was asking me to bring them a full case of beer on ice. I told him I couldn't do that because I could only sell 2 beers per person per transaction. He was obviously a bit toasted already and asked the question over again. His friend next to him just sat him down and asked me to go away before he tried buying the rest of my case of beer....

With last call starting about 9:10 and check-out time at 9:30...I was able to watch the final round of the HR Derby. I tried to find a spot to watch, but after fighting through the crowd, I decided to head home so I wouldn't be fighting the crowd on my way home. I actually did have a spot where I was standing next to an usher and then another usher came over and told me I couldn't stand there. I decided that it was then that I'd go home.

And now here I sit...still surreal feeling...I plan to take my camera and have it with me throughout the All-Star game tomorrow night. I can't wait!

Remember to check back here tomorrow night for part 3 of this 3 part blog coverage of the All-Star activities!

Totals thus far:
65 Bags of Cracker Jacks
80 Bottles of Water
156 Bags of Peanuts
2125 Bottles of Beer

Day 36 - Say Anything, Underage, My New Hat and Witnessing History

I have often wondered how true is the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words"? Tonight, I found out that it is completely true.

I was driving into the parking garage I usually park in. (on corner of 7th and Pine, only $4...save some money and walk a few blocks, no, no, you're welcome) I pull into the lane to pay to park and no one was there. I wait and I wait and finally, she comes out. Oh yes, the evil one herself. I'm speaking about the one who accepts tips. (click here to read my previous encounter with this lady) She doesn't even say a single word to me. She just looks at me as if I had just flipped her off or something. I hand her my $4 and she just gives me a blank look. She hands me the ticket and as I place it on my dash, I say thank you and she just continues to look at me. It's not like she didn't hear me...she was being flat out rude and has been rude since that day she informed me that she accepts tips. She pushes the button to raise the arm so I can enter the garage and doesn't stop giving me the stink-eye. I drive into the parking garage, realizing that she didn't need to say anything, she was rude and hateful while never having to speak a single word. I hope she collects money from me again, because I'll be sure to ask her if she wants a tip from me, then I'll tell her to be friendly...in a very loving way of course.

Tonight while making it through my usually sections, it was during 'last call' when I had two guys who motion for beers. It was the little hand call in the air, signaling that they needed 2 beers. I get to where they were and know that I will be carding these guys. The guy who signaled for me asked for a Bud Light and a Select. Even though I see 4 beer bottles below their feet, I ask for their ID's. He roles his eyes and looks over at his buddy and says something to him. The first guy hands me his ID and he was 22. I asked him what he needed and he said 2 beers. I told him that I needed to know what he wanted and after I see the other ID, I'll be more than happy to give him the second one. He asks for a Bud Light and then gives me a $20. I tell him after I see that other ID, it'll be $15.50. His buddy who had been hiding his face from me behind his friend was very hesitant to give up his ID. I finally get it and notice the DOB was 7/18/1990. I took a double-take because I knew he wasn't old enough, but I thought to myself, "this guy is ballsy if he's giving me his ID to show me he isn't 21"...you'd think the moment I ask for an ID he'd say nevermind...but he really tested me to see if I was even checking the DOB...I say to the first guy, who already had his beer, "sorry, he isn't old enough." He looked back at me and was confused, looked back at his underage friend and pointed down to the empty beer bottles and they said something to each other again. I gave him the ID back and the change for the 1 beer.

I couldn't believe it...I mean, if you are going to really try to buy a beer and aren't 21...wouldn't you have a fake ID at least? He clearly wasn't carded before or his buddy bought the beers for him. I was flabbergasted! THIS GUY IS 18 AND TRYING TO BUY BEER WITH HIS ID, CLEARLY SHOWING THAT HE IS UNDER 21! WHAT WAS HE THINKING? YES, it was "last call" and I could have made one more sale, but losing my job is not worth breaking the law...or the $.85 I would have made on commission from that beer. No ID, not of age, no beer from me!


Tonight as I was turning in my apron and clocking out, I was told to go get our new hats for the All-Star Festivities. NEW HAT? I think that even if I have a crappy time of sales through the All-Star Festivities,this hat was well worth it all! Just being there is going to be worth all of this blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this season! Ok, ok, no tears, little blood, but tons of sweat!

I think this is an amazing hat and I'm actually wearing it right now as I blog! It's the little things in life that bring smiles to my face.

So if you haven't heard by now, tonight history was made. Albert Pujols. Do I need to say anything else? 30 is a special number! His second homerun tonight, yes, another multihomer game, which was his 30th this season, made history. No one has EVER gone 9 straight seasons (since their rookie year) to have 30 or more homeruns. It was his 30th career multihomer game. Tonight was also his 3rd mulithomer game in 8 days. Simply amazing! Just another exciting reason to be at the homerun derby...and get paid to be there!

Check back here towards the end of this week for Thursday's game blog and for a special blog that will be looking back at the first half of the 2009 MLB season as a beer man at Busch Stadium.

Totals thus far:
60 Bags of Cracker Jacks
80 Bottles of Water
146 Bags of Peanuts
1987 Bottles of Beer

Day 32, 33 & 34 - Hot, Hot as Hell

I got chills today.

In that 98 degree heat (before heat index) I was getting chills. It was in the bottom of the 3rd right after Pujols hit his 2nd 2-run hr of the day. The cheers of the crowd only got louder as the slugger when back to the dugout. Then when he finally came out for the curtain, the place erupted. That's when it set in. I was witnessing the greatest baseball player of our time play ball. I thought to myself how someday I hope to get to tell my kids about watching Pujols and witnessing the audacity that was Albert Pujols. Regardless if you are a Cardinals fan or not, we can all agree that Pujols is the greatest player of our time.

It's been far too long since my last posting. Lots has happened. In just the span of a week, we've lost some great ones...Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett and the "king of pop" Michael Jackson. Honestly, I don't think Michael Jackson has died...he's just chilln' with 2 Pac...ok, or maybe he did pass away...but it's a good theory. In other news, Adam Lambert is gay, water is still wet, the sun is still hot and I'm still selling beer.

With the passing of MJ, I was honestly wondering how many of his songs we would hear played at the game on Friday night. Surprisingly enough, not as many as I thought. They played one of MJ's songs during the Kiss Cam...they also played one during the question of the day, which ironically enough was, "what was your favorite MJ song and dance move?". Personally, I think I would go with having a 3-way tie with, Beat It, Thriller and You Rock My World. Dance move: Moon-walk. (DUH!)

The past two days have been the hottest days of the year so far. With a heat index reaching up into 115 today, it'd be an understatement to mention that I sweat off nearly 10lbs each day. I actually felt very lightheaded at several times today. It was an exhaustion that I've never felt before. Most of it was from the effects of dehydration setting in. I couldn't drink enough water to keep up with the amount of sweat pouring out from my body. There were numerous times that sweat would run down into my eyes...not an enjoyable feeling.

I had numerous people today tell me that they didn't envy my job. I was asked over and over again if it was hot enough? I would think to myself, "nope, perfect weather for baseball...if we were playing in Hell!" I could hear numerous people complaining about how hot it was and then I'd walk down next to them and they'd notice the sweat running down my face and would quickly shut their mouth.

It was Christian Family Day at the ballpark. So most of the regular beer men didn't show up. Fine by me. The fewer the beer men, the more sales the rest of us can make. Most of the guys in the commissary were complaining about how all of the Christians at the game were only going to want water...Holy water. They were also saying how all of the Christians were complaining how it was going to be hot as hell today.

I still sold some beer today. I received a few dirty looks from parents who were clearly wanting to protect their children from the filth of the world, known as Bud, Bud Light and Bud Select.

Taking the day off tomorrow. Not wanting to wear myself out with the 4th of July coming up since we are in a 7-game home stand.

Look back for another update Monday night!

Totals thus far:
56 Bags of Cracker Jacks
80 Bottles of Water
136 Bags of Peanuts
1890 Bottles of Beer