Legends Field safe from all harm
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2007 
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It wouldn’t be spring training without the Yankees securing Legends Field as though it were NORAD.
There are two police cars parked in front of the field 24 hours a day. They never move and from I can tell, haven’t moved in two years. But they’re there and they have Yankee logos painted on the sides.
They also have three nice old guys posing as security guards at the door every morning to check our bags. The guy this morning patted the sides of my briefcase and announced it was OK. I could have been carrying a live wolverine in there for all he knew.
Then there is Randy Baker, the head of security (pictured above). He rides around the place on a Segway like he’s General Patton on a Third Army tank crossing the Rhine.
At one point during the workout, he even was buzzing through the outfield on the warning track. Just to make sure no seagulls were poised to attack Johnny Damon, I guess. He usually spends his time yelling at children not to sit on the dugout roof.
It’s quite comical after a while.
Obviously I’m kidding and security is a serious business. But as with most things involving the Yankees, it’s over the top.
HAHAHA Wonderful. Great work Peter! WHATS THE WORD ON BERNIE?? ANYTHING NEW?? Keep up the great work!
What a clown!!!
He has no place in the clowning business. He should leave the clowning to all the other clowns in the clowning business.
They are also real serious about security when you attend games. I have attended ST games at Legends Field for 7 or 8 years and they do a thorough search routine everytime you enter the park.
Pete,
It begins with kids on the dugout roof. Then, before you know it, they’re pelting the players with peanut shavings and cracker jacks.
The horror!
Yeah the Segway Guy is a Legend in his own mind, he was signing autographs last year when I was down there for people thinking he was some ex-ball player. The muscle head that Patrols the top of the dugouts is another real treat as he goes around screaming at little kids trying to get signatures.
Overall though it is a safe environment and damn great time!
Pete, try not to get out of line. Those security guys mean business. Live wolverine? There’s a thought.
Let the circus begin.
I hope he doesn’t hit a player as happened to Juan Rivera years ago.
Florida…………….
God’s waiting room
Are the other parks (for other teams) as secured? Or is it Yankees paranoia?
But, safety is a good thing — right?
Who knew the Yanks had invested in a Segway? Pete, if he’ll let you, ask the dude to ride it. It’s an experience.
Not worth what it costs to buy one, IMHO, but still pretty fun to ride around for a little while.
Better keep that Segway away from Pavano!!!
Better keep the peanut shavings and cracker jack-pelting children away from Pavano too.
I was at spring training last year and saw that cop wannabe Randy on his segway, really laying into a 6 year old kid for yelling too loud trying to get an autograph. What a tool
the guys a real jerk
I can agree wholeheartedly with your take on security at Legends Field. I went to ST four years in a row from 2000-2003 and each year, it seemed the organization took more steps to keep the players and the fans separated. It started with guards at the railing and, byt 2003, had increased to an additional high chain link fence along the walkway from the clubhouse to the BP field.
Other Florida facilities are much less insulated. I’ve had really good experiences talking with Yankee players in Dunedin (at the Jays) and Clearwater (at the Phillies). They don’t seem to be going out of their way to keep the fans away from the players. That closeness is what makes Spring Training so special, and the Yankee organization at Legends Field seems to have forgotten that. The only good place to watch the Yankees in Tampa is at the Minor League complex down the road. That’s like watching little league baseball from high school bleacher seats. It’s great!
BTW, thanks for the blog. It’s better than any of the stories that appear in the NY press. Any time you want to trade jobs with me (I’m a college prof), just let me know.
While we’re at it, why not just put Pavano in a bubble.
Peter:
Now you’ve done it. You have insulted a square badge. There is no honor more sensitive than that of a rent-a-cop. (“Excuse me, Mr. Abraham. Uh, Randy would like to see you…”)
By the way, is that Stick in the picture to the left in the white ball cap?
That’s Stick.
Pavano, The New Bubble Boy???
Funny stuff!
I wonder if he needs the Segway to prevent an outbreak of “heavy legs”? oops too late…
Maybe he could lend it to Pavano for his workouts on the grass.
I don’t know what the big deal is about the seagulls, I think it’s only a crime to kill them in Toronto but you’d have to ask Winfield
I think it’s nice that the man has a job. We should all be lucky enough to do what we’re good at and be paid for it. My sense though Peter is that if you were in charge he’d be riding a Razor Scooter instead of that fancy schmancy Segway. Now that really would be funny.
“At one point during the workout, he even was buzzing through the outfield on the warning track”
Makes me laugh just thinking about it.
just reminds me how much i despise Yankee Stadium security. so, so, so horrible…
Peter – Terrific. It’s about time, with all the reporters covering the Yankees, that someone expose the security charade. Randy needs a hug. What a bear that guy is! Smile, Randy, you work for the Yankees. It’s okay to show your warm and fuzzy side once a decade – wait, I’m talking about The Big Unit. There is no warm and fuzzy side to The Muscle.
Keep up the Grade A reporting. Best blog covering the Yanks!
- Phil
It is impossible for a dude riding a Segway to maintain any degree of gravitas whatsoever, regardless of how much of a hardass he’s trying to be. He’d look tougher hopping around on a pogo stick.
HAH! What a tool!
Maybe Pavano can embrace the whole Bubble Boy thing. Fans could hang up little silhouettes of bubbles instead of Ks when (if and when) he’s pitching at the Stadium.
Any chance for some movies??? Thanks!
Wouldn’t we all LOVE to have the Segway man’s job? They need to get somebody who can juggle for between innings entertainment. C’mon George….more bang for your buck!
Oh, and Peter…how’s the Rolling Rock supply?
Cold Rolling Rock + Florida sun = Delicious.
Security at Legends is crazy but every now and then someone really goes out of their way to make you feel at home, like my friend from last year, Ron. He covers visitors and checks bags. Shout out to Ron.
A couple of years ago I went to a Mets practice and I could hang on the batting cage and talk with the players and no one cared at all. Its a different attmosphere.
[...] A few days ago I posted about the overzealous security director of Legends Field who rides around on a Segway looking ridiculous. [...]
I have been going to spring training for years, and that security man is insane. He thinks hes mister hot stuff riding around on his scooter thing, and takes every little thing over the top. Its annoying but it does indeed get comical.
i used to work for yankees security. because randy’s an ex-marine, we were all treated like marines. it’s ridiculous. some employees have actually almost come to blows with him. $8/hr isn’t worth the verbal abuse from that guy.
yankees security is #1 , i don’t care how anyone see’s it!!!
their there to do a job and they love it!!!!!!!!
leave the players and the field alone and security will leave you alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just stop giving them a hard time by tring to get on or near the field and yelling like an idiot at the players
how would you like if someone was calling your name out 30 million times in 2 to 4 hours during a game , just let them play the game!!!!!!!!!!
thank you……
Once a marine, always a marine….and he is my brother!!!
Be glad that he is a “good guy!”