Episode 163 — Eytan Saenger: Being a Boston Fan in The Bronx, Music’s Connection to the Game, & The Importance of Celebrating Culture in Baseball

[00:00:00] Eytan: I was, um, going through the way that they had directed us to get to where, like, the entrance to the field is to run the bases, and I was walking through a tunnel, and I noticed this person walking with a bag, and I was like, hmm, that person looks familiar, Didn’t that person hit something, the ball on the field today?

[00:00:17] Eytan: And so I was, I grew, I worked up the courage and I go up like as he was walking about, I was like, Aren’t you, uh, Jackie Bradley Jr.? and he was like, Yep, that’s me. I guess he had just, um, finished his, uh, post game shower and was heading out of the clubhouse and happened to be walking down that same tunnel.

[00:00:34] Eytan: Um, and so it was a cool, like, just walking in the same place, as, as the players, you know, Or, and so I got to, of course, get him to sign a ball I had in my bag and got a quick picture. ​

[00:00:45] Anna: What’s up. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to episode number 163 of the baseball bucket list podcast. I’m your host Anna DiTommaso, and each week on the show, I speak with a different baseball fan about their favorite memories, what’s left on their baseball bucket list and what the game of baseball means to them. This week, I got a chance to chat with Eytan Saenger. Eytan was in Washington, DC during our call wrapping up a summer internship. But actually lives in the Bronx New York, which makes him a bit out of place since he is a lifelong Red Sox fan. His family moved to the Bronx when he was 10. 

[00:01:16] Anna: And he is currently attending Binginghamton university, upstate. We chat about what it’s like to be a Red Sox fan in Yankee country, the Jewish connection to baseball, and how big of a role music and ambient sound plays in a day at the ballpark. We also touch on how the younger generation feels about the game and chat about some ideas for bringing even more of the local community, into the wonderful world of minor league baseball. 

[00:01:39] Anna: This interview was a lot of fun. I’m excited to share it with you. So I want to get right to it. Now without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy some baseball banter with a Eytan Saenger. 

[00:01:49] Anna: Eytan, thank you so much for joining us today on the Baseball Bucket List. How are things in your world?

[00:01:56] Eytan: no, they’re pretty good. Uh, thanks for having me on. It’s been fun listening to the podcast. it a few weeks ago over the course of the summer. And so I’m excited to be on today.

[00:02:06] Anna: I’m excited to have you, excited to chat baseball. Are you still in the Bronx area or are you relocated now?

[00:02:13] Eytan: So I’m actually doing an internship in the DC area for the summer. So I’m currently there. I’m actually finishing it this week. Um, and then I head back to the Bronx, um, before I go back to college, um, in a couple of weeks.

[00:02:28] Anna: Nice. Okay. So I know we’re going to get into a little bit of your kind of journey around the Northeast, but you know, the question I always start with out of the gate is how is it that you fell in love with the game of baseball?

[00:02:40] Eytan: Yeah, so I’m trying to track down when I actually started, to be such a big fan of baseball. but I certainly, since I was t ball age, was certainly enjoying to play the game and like toss the ball around and like just, just, just for fun, um, really be able to play baseball and like I remember there was a time when I had, um, broken my, I think it was, this was my throwing arms.

[00:03:08] Eytan: It was my right arm or my wrist, um, and I’d fractured my wrist. And so I was unable to throw, um, and it was summertime and or late spring. And so that’s not great timing for someone who likes to play baseball and especially someone who likes to throw a ball. Um, so I remember what happened was, is that, we, we got a bucket of tennis balls, um, and took a tennis racket.

[00:03:29] Eytan: And so I just put my glove on and we’re just. Get the ball hit to me and then drop the ball, in the bucket and then move the bucket back and keep on doing that. Um, and so certainly I just fell in love I think from a young age with like the game of catching, of throwing, of all these things which like don’t, don’t even necessarily need to happen in a competitive format.

[00:03:50] Eytan: and they’re just like fun to do, um, on your own time. And then I think that transferred into, um, when I was growing up in Boston. Being a big Red Sox fan, being able to go to Fenway Park a few times, when I was younger, um, and also really enjoying watching the game, following the game. I was a big baseball card collector.

[00:04:11] Eytan: when I was younger and, um, like I would always sort the cards in different ways and like, remember, okay, like this is this player and they were on this team and I think, like, all the intricacies of baseball and the stats and the formats of playing and also, and I’m sure we’ll get more into this later on, but like, it’s the only sport, I think, where you go to different baseball fields, whether it’s Little league fields up through major leagues and minor leagues where like every stadium you go to is sort of its own unique Thing that has its own.

[00:04:44] Eytan: Okay, whether it’s a green monster or it’s a Swimming pool or it’s a like big apple. They each have their own unique aspects to them and I think like that’s something that’s really fun when you go to a game It’s like whoa, this is a new tourist attraction and it’s also a sporting event.

[00:04:59] Anna: Yeah, yeah, so it sounds like you kind of, uh, you fell for the game in multiple ways, right? There’s obviously the the physical side of it, you know playing it and you’re right. There’s absolutely like a ritual to Catching a ball tossing a ball Finding a way to do it when your arm is broken or your wrist is broken So I think it’s It sounds like from the get go you were pretty much just a die hard fan and man, the baseball cards, that brings back so many memories from childhood for me too because like you mentioned organizing them in different ways and I would do the same thing like I would put obviously all of the same team would be together but then I would finish that and I’d be like well now what and then I’d take them all out and then it would be like all of the first basemen would be organized together and, All sorts of fun stuff like that that kind of helped pass the time when I was a kid.

[00:05:55] Anna: You mentioned, you know, growing up in Boston. I gotta make an assumption here that the Sox Are your favorite team. Is that accurate?

[00:06:04] Eytan: Yes, if it if it weren’t for the fact that um, You I was raining quite heavily here earlier and I was walking outside and my Red Sox hat is quite soaked right now. I would still be wearing it right now. Um, and in fact, The, they’re in the middle of a extra innings game right now. So we’ll see after the podcast, what happens with that game, but I’m still a big, um, Red Sox fan, and all Boston sports fan for that matter as well.

[00:06:30] Anna: Nice. And you mentioned, I mean, obviously you’re in D. C. right now. You said you got an internship you’re wrapping up. But you’re, you’re spending a bunch of time in the Bronx right now. Or you moved there when you were, was still quite young. But it sounds like the allegiance is still to the Boston Club.

[00:06:46] Anna: And so, man, I’m so curious to hear what it’s like to be a Red Sox fan in the middle of Yankee country. 

[00:06:53] Eytan: Yeah so I remember. So I moved when I was, 10, um, just after fourth grade. and for the first few years there, um, let’s say I’d meet new people in my grade and they’d always be like, okay, like, Oh, you’re definitely a New York fan now. I’m like, what, why would I change my, which teams I root for just because I’m moving.

[00:07:14] Eytan: Um, and I, and I, so I moved, um, in, in 2014. So there wasn’t another Red Sox World Series, um, until 2018, but it was at the point of When there was a bunch of years of when the Patriots were. In the super bowl every other year. Um, and so like, um, people were always upset there cause the jets and the giants weren’t doing so well.

[00:07:37] Eytan: And I’d be like, what do I care? I’m a, I’m a Patriots fan, so I’m doing well now. And so I think that led people, um, to sort of realize, um, that I was a. Red Sox fan versus, of course, the obvious choice in the Bronx of the Yankees. Um, and definitely I’d be walking around and, um, I’d be wearing a Red Sox hat.

[00:07:57] Eytan: They’re like, Oh, where’d you get that one from? Like, uh, my hat, I’m a Red Sox fan. and it was funny cause I had some other friends who are Red Sox fans and a lot of them were different reasons. I know one of them. I was like a big fan of David Ortiz or Dustin Pedroia and sort of like, oh, I Or they went to a game where one of them hit a home run or something and therefore that’s why they’re a Red Sox fan or their father Was a Red Sox fan growing up and so and so different people Um that I knew like who also knew these people were like, okay.

[00:08:26] Eytan: Well, like those are fake reasons to be. Um, a uh Red Sox fan So sometimes I got let off the easy way by saying okay at least i’m actually from boston originally and like Had a reason to be rooting for the Red Sox, versus like, okay, I flipped a coin today and it landed on the side which said, go Red Sox.

[00:08:44] Eytan: but definitely, um, still I’ll be walking around and wearing a Red Sox hat and seem sometimes out of place. , and, like, people immediately assume that, okay, I still live in Boston because of, , being a Red Sox fan. Um, so, it’s, it’s always funny to, like, explain, um, actually, I used to live in Boston and no longer live there, but still maintain, um, rooting for the Red Sox.

[00:09:11] Eytan: And, I mean, I don’t really see how it could be any other way, because, like, okay, suddenly, what, what I’m gonna go from, When I lived in Boston rooting for the Red Sox and then suddenly start rooting for the Yankees, like, I don’t see, how that would, that would, uh, happen. I mean, there’s definitely many challenges to it, especially since, okay, there are not so many Red Sox games that are near me to go to.

[00:09:33] Eytan: and also the fact that there aren’t so many. Red Sox fans I mean, there’s definitely, there’s on one level, not so many other Red Sox fans around. Also quite a few people who, uh, let’s just say despise those who root for the Red Sox. Um, so definitely, it’s definitely an experience, , being a Red Sox fan, um, living in the Bronx.

[00:09:55] Eytan: so that’s always something which comes with different encounters as well.

[00:09:59] Anna: Yeah, for sure. I can imagine and it’s an interesting kind of challenge that you’re presented with when you make that move, right? Because a lot of people They want to live and breathe baseball on a daily basis. And so if they’re uprooted from their home team and they find themselves in a new city that also has a major league club, sometimes you do start to see those allegiances, allegiances shift a little bit, right?

[00:10:24] Anna: Because those are the games you can go to. Those are the games that are being broadcasted locally. But it just so happens that you as a Red Sox fan pick up and move to the heart of, you know, obviously the arch nemesis of the Red Sox. So I, I feel like that would have been a tough sell, but man, I guess a question, a follow up question would be like, let’s say you moved from Boston to man, I don’t know, like LA, You know, Anaheim or something like that or some other American league team not in the AL East.

[00:10:59] Anna: Do you think that you still would be a Red Sox fan or do you think that the allegiance is so solidified because you, you were dropped into enemy territory?

[00:11:07] Eytan: Yeah. So I’m not sure that, that it would change anything. if I weren’t a, if I hadn’t moved to a place, which obviously has such a known rivalry, make arguably the biggest rivalry in any of the major sports in America. But I think definitely there are some significant changes having been in the Bronx where, right, being in Yankeeville versus.

[00:11:36] Eytan: being anywhere else in the country. I mean, for the most part, tickets to games would be a lot cheaper if I was, um, at some other, um, area and the Red Sox were playing the home team there. Um, they would not be, um, especially, and they also wouldn’t only be Sunday night games. so that would certainly be a big difference.

[00:11:53] Eytan: Um, And then maybe I’d be more fine saying, okay, like my second favorite team is like one of this place just so like, okay, like if the Red Sox were out of the playoffs or not doing well, then I’d be like, okay, I’m fine rooting for this team. When you’re going to a Yankees game, you can, or like, You’re living in the Bronx.

[00:12:15] Eytan: You can’t really be like, okay. Yeah. My number one team is the Red Sox. My number two team is the Yankees, but that’s not really, that doesn’t really pan out so well, unless you’re just going to like say, okay. I have top 30 teams and every team is my number two team.

[00:12:30] Anna: Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, I, I feel like the average Red Sox fan, they have two favorite teams, right? The Boston Red Sox and then whoever happens to be playing the Yankees that day. So, I mean, it’s definitely an interesting dynamic you find yourself in, but it sounds like you’re doing well with it. I mean, it sounds like you kind of have some friends who are ribbing you good naturedly about it.

[00:12:53] Anna: So. In D. C. there, you’ve been there, I’m assuming, for, you know, the summer. Have you found your way up to Nationals Park?

[00:13:00] Eytan: Yeah. So I’ve actually gotten to, uh, two Nationals games, uh, so far. and I was able to make it to a, uh, another Sox game. It was the previous, um, New York series. So I’ve actually been able to go to a few this year, but I’ve been able to check out another ballpark in the Nationals, stadium this summer.

[00:13:23] Eytan: Um, I was there for a game against the, Mets, um, and then I was there for a game against the Reds, So it was, and it was actually ended up being my first, I believe, extra innings game since they added the second base rule. So it was one of the games where the Mets scored five runs in 10th inning. which is always, um, always interesting these days.

[00:13:47] Anna: Yeah, yeah, it’s a bit of a different look. What do you think it is about baseball in particular? I mean, you kind of gave us some insight based on your injury as a kid and just kind of figuring out ways to continue to toss a ball around. You know, as a fan now, as you get older and you find that you still love the game even as a spectator, what do you think draws you in?

[00:14:12] Eytan: Yeah. So I think like partially what I touched on earlier of like, I think comparatively with the other major sports, which like I’m also a big fan of. Baseball has like so many unique aspects of it. It has the. Fact of being like such a big part of American, um, history and American culture. Uh, and like, there’s been multiple museums, which I visited during my time here in DC, where there’s like a baseball exhibit or a baseball part of the museum.

[00:14:41] Eytan: Just because whether it was for, um, US soldiers who were fighting overseas, having like bringing baseball to be part of them or the role that baseball played in the civil rights movement. Or many other movements that baseball was like sort of, had a role in, in different facets. And also, uh, like the history of the game, um, being such enriching in the culture of America, I think it’s definitely something unique towards baseball.

[00:15:08] Eytan: And also, um, I think like this, like just the different sounds, um, of baseball, whether it’s the crack of the bat, um, whether it’s different cheering, different each stadium having their own. Iconic songs and organists, which play the music as well. Um, and especially for someone like me, who is, um, such a big fan of music as well, and, um, certainly likes to sing and even write music.

[00:15:33] Eytan: I like always, love listening to the different, um, walk up songs and, uh, different like stadiums, which have different traditions. Uh, with the different music they play. I mean, especially like I haven’t been, unfortunately, haven’t been to Fenway in a while for a game. Um, but still always Sweet Caroline at Fenway Park, um, after the top of the eighth is always, um, a fond memory.

[00:15:59] Eytan: and certainly like, I think baseball has that unique aspect where it like, it literally just is involved in so many different ways, And like, and also like, especially, in terms of like the Jewish connection to baseball, um, and like how that has a big role, in, in many years of history, um, of Jews being involved in the, in the game.

[00:16:23] Eytan: Um, and especially now in the past few years, since team Israel, um, sort of had that sort of entrance onto the World Baseball Classic stage that, that has sort of been more of a focus for people. And like, and there’s these different, um, social media accounts, which spotlight different players who have these different connections.

[00:16:42] Eytan: I think there’s like, so there’s just so much going on and the, like sort of the statistics of it and the analyzing of players, um, and the whole like money ball part of baseball and, um, all these different stories, which occur, and I think like baseball is the sport where like, I always hear the most stories of like underdog players.

[00:17:01] Eytan: Um, in fact, I mean, the Red Sox alone had two stories within a couple weeks of each other this year of one person who was 29 making his major league debut, um, who was a carpenter for a few years and a different player who had played thousands of games in the minor leagues, um, which like those stories, which are always, ready to be made into major motion pictures in Hollywood.

[00:17:23] Eytan: are sort of like just sitting there in actual stories that are occurring every day in every game.

[00:17:28] Anna: Yeah, I always say I think that baseball is unique in that way and because it it is around for so much of the year You play so many games, you know, you can be as dedicated and as Involved in it engulfed in it as as you want to be, you know You could you can be checking stats every day or you can just check the scores and you know If you just want to see if your team won yesterday That’s an option too.

[00:17:51] Anna: But one thing you brought up that I hadn’t really thought about before was like the auditory aspects of baseball, you know, obviously walk up music kind of gives you some insight into who the player is, you, you kind of get a taste of, you know, what, what he likes or what’s important to him as he’s walking up to the plate.

[00:18:10] Anna: But as you were talking about that, I was thinking about all of the various sound effects that different teams. Use across. a game, you know? Like, if it’s a strikeout, some, some teams do the cha ching cash register. Some teams do the, like, a whistle, I think they do at Yankee Stadium. And, uh, It’s to the point where you could probably play that sound effect for some people and they would instantly be able to identify what ballpark it was being piped through.

[00:18:41] Eytan: Right. And so, and even to a greater effect, I actually recently read that the Portland Sea Dogs, which are the Red Sox AA affiliate, um, actually have partnered with a local institute, um, for the blind, where there are many fans, I guess, who come. who are blind and can only hear the sounds of the game. And there are now ways where, like, they’ll be able to listen to the game live, but also sort of take in the game even though they can’t see what’s actually happening, but by hearing the sounds, um, of the field, of the, um, fans, of the stadium, which I think is something really powerful that, like, that’s, Sort of what you can go to a game and not even be able to see what’s going on, but still have an amazing time and take a lot away from it.

[00:19:25] Eytan: Um, also I would say that baseball is probably the only sport which has such high fan engagement. and right, you go to a game and you bring your glove because, okay, maybe I’ll catch the ball. I mean, of course. The only game that catching a ball actually matters is if you go to a Savannah Bananas game and then you catch a foul ball, it’s still an out, but otherwise, right, you, people go, they’re trying to catch your ball, they’re trying to interact with the players, they’re, um, they’re featured on TV because, okay, there’s a foul ball and oops, you dropped your soda, you dropped your ice cream, you dropped your chips or whatever it was, um, and like, that’s really a part of, Part of the game is the fan interaction, the fan engagement.

[00:20:06] Eytan: And I think that’s also what makes that auditory aspect. Um, I think so prominent is the fact that you’ll be, um, in the stands and the cheering of the game is what players are hearing on the field. Which of course, I mean, cheering and everything is a big aspect. I think all the sport, all sports. but like that aspect of fans feeling like they’re, they’re Close to the field.

[00:20:30] Eytan: They’re part of the game, I think, is something that’s really cool about baseball, uh, and is something that, like, you’ll hear different, , different people around the stadium, and also you’ll hear the players, and you’ll hear the music that’s being played, and you’ll hear the anthems, you’ll hear all these things, um, I think, which really enriches the experience.

[00:20:52] Anna: For sure. For sure. It’s definitely, it’s definitely something that’s pretty cool to think about because you don’t, you don’t necessarily sit back and think about it, but when you do, it’s, um, there’s a lot that goes into it that makes it interesting. As special as it is. So you’re, you’re headed back to school here pretty soon.

[00:21:09] Anna: I know, I know we’re kind of coming up on, you know, fall semesters. Where are you currently enrolled?

[00:21:15] Eytan: Right, so I’m in, um, I go to Binghamton University, um, in upstate New York, one of the part of the New York State University system for those who aren’t familiar. Um, and we actually, there is a minor league team in Binghamton, which is, uh, great because it’s not, not too far and minor league teams are always fun.

[00:21:36] Eytan: Uh, and so, hopefully, I’ll be able to get to a few, or at least, at least one game before, their season wraps up.

[00:21:44] Anna: I’m curious to know because one of the conversations we have sometimes on the show is that, you know, the younger generation seems to kind of be disconnecting from the game a little more. I’d like to know if you, like, how many of your college age friends or peers are also baseball fans?

[00:22:03] Eytan: So, I mean, I think the issue is, for me, it’s probably a little bit self selecting because I’ll make friends with some people who already are baseball fans. Um, but I think there’s definitely a fair amount of it. I’ll definitely notice a lot of people, um, who are turned off by the, I think the length of the games and like, I think they see it as one of the least active sports in terms of like action happening.

[00:22:29] Eytan: And especially when you look in comparison with basketball and football, where you’re, you know, involved in basically every play that you’re on the court or field for. I think, people who are looking for that sort of active sports and that constant motion happening, um, are sort of turned away from that.

[00:22:49] Eytan: and because, like, while the history is something that I, I certainly appreciate about it, the history does mean it’s been a very old game and a long game as well. Um, and so some of that isn’t necessarily as appreciated by my fellow college aged peers. Um, but I do think, I do think there is some things improving in terms of the fact that the games are now shorter.

[00:23:11] Eytan: Like, I remember I went to, The, like, a couple of games I went to this season, um, were well under three hours and were also like, I mean, even, even the game I went to, which was, uh, scored over seven, uh, scored over 10 runs combined, um, and a 10 inning game still was two hours and 40 minutes, which like a few years ago, I think would have been, It’s pretty unthinkable that a game would be that short and have already been to extra innings and multiple runs scored.

[00:23:39] Eytan: Um, and like, I, I remember people sitting near me who weren’t necessarily as into baseball noting that, like, that’s short. Um, and I think that part of it, and I think there are, there are certain ways that, I mean, baseball is trying to make it more appealing to people, um, who don’t find it as engaging. I don’t necessarily think that MLB as an institution is always doing the best job of marketing it and, uh, which is, which could be a whole another podcast series probably about analyzing how major league sports sort of market themselves and engage with fans.

[00:24:20] Eytan: But yeah, I mean, I definitely think like there are still people, let’s say, who will like not even follow baseball, but just enjoy having a catch. And I think like, I think not that I, not that I don’t, I don’t think Rob Manfred listening to this podcast about my advice of how to market this game for younger people.

[00:24:35] Eytan: But I think starting on that micro level of, okay, what gets people excited about sports and what gets people excited about baseball, um, and then building it off from there. Um, Definitely, definitely can go a long way. And I would say like, that’s something that’s happening a lot in minor league baseball.

[00:24:55] Eytan: Now, with, with, they have all these different teams. I mean, I was looking at the Binghamton, There’s social media for the minor league team there. And like, there’s a different team name every other day and there’s a different Jersey that they wear every other day. And there’s all these sort of exciting things, which of course, because it’s minor league level, there’s more you can do, um, and more like, cause it’s cheaper and also more local and you don’t have to worry about thousands and thousands of people, but there’s definitely a lot that like is done there to engage with fans locally.

[00:25:27] Eytan: Um, and to make it sort of more appealing for people as well.

[00:25:31] Anna: Yeah, yeah, that’s interesting what you brought up, you know, like, I, I grew up playing catch in my front yard, too. And I think that that definitely ties into why I love the game of baseball as much as I do, and I worry about, like, young kids, like, like, young kids now who are in single digits still, you know, they’re below the age of 10 and I don’t think they’re playing outside nearly as much as, you know, my generation or even maybe your generation.

[00:25:58] Anna: Uh, I hope we can find a way to kind of bring that back. Cause I think that definitely ties into, People developing like a love of sports later in life. So I hope I hope there’s like a renaissance there I hope we can we can kind of find our way back there But what comes to mind if I ask you what your favorite baseball memory is?

[00:26:17] Eytan: Yeah, so there’s definitely a lot of baseball memories that percolate to that question. I think the one, the one distinct one that pops out, um, when I was thinking about it, is I think it was, it was a Mets Red Sox game. quite a few years ago, probably eight years ago, back when Jackie Bradley Jr.

[00:26:37] Eytan: was with the Red Sox in his first stint. Now, of course, he is, I think, back actually in the Mets organization as of a few days ago after playing for the Long Island Ducks this year. Um, but it was a day Sunday game, um, and I think he had come into pinch hit in the eighth inning and had a go ahead. Um, and after the game it was like kids run the base, like one of those Sunday afternoon kids run the bases and I was still at a young enough age where I’m like, it was still considered okay for me to run the bases with the kids, even if some of them are still younger, but I believe I believe I’m still in my like younger teen.

[00:27:16] Eytan: So it was fine. and I was, um, going through the way that they had directed us to get to where, like, the entrance to the field is to run the bases, and I was walking through a tunnel, um, and I noticed this person walking with a bag, and I was like, hmm, that person looks familiar, and I was like, Didn’t that person hit something, the ball on the field today?

[00:27:37] Eytan: And so I was, I grew, I worked up the courage and I go up like as he was walking about, I was like, Aren’t you, uh, Jackie Bradley Jr.? and he was like, Yep, that’s me. I guess he had just, um, finished his, uh, post game shower and was heading out of the clubhouse and happened to be walking down that same tunnel.

[00:27:54] Eytan: Um, and so it was a cool, like, just walking in the same place, as, as the players, you know, Or, and so I got to, of course, get him to sign a ball I had in my bag and got a quick picture. but I think that was a cool moment of like, it wasn’t like a specific, oh, I had organized to meet him on the side or meet him on the side of the field or was waiting there with everyone else or other guys, but it was just like walking to the field, um, and ran into him.

[00:28:19] Eytan: Um, and so I think that sticks out as like a cool little, like running into someone thing.

[00:28:24] Anna: Yeah, just by happenstance, right? Like you weren’t planning on it, but there he was and you you took the initiative, right? So like I feel like maybe I would have just been too shy and let him walk away But that’s pretty cool that you you worked up the courage to say hi

[00:28:38] Eytan: Yeah, I mean, I think those are always. Do you want to go up to someone and say hello? Especially when he probably wants to get out of here. Um, but then of course, um, especially at that age, I knew I always would have regretted had I not, um, said hi to him then. Um, and taken the opportunity to do that. And it’s funny because sometimes I think about, like, oh, obviously, um, like many other kids, you had those dreams of making the, major leagues and playing for my favorite team.

[00:29:11] Eytan: Um, and to me, I’m like, you know what, if I made it to that level, I would have like, so relish the opportunity to be able to just like, make a kid’s day with the opportunity to just take a pen and write my name down. and I think these days there are certainly a bunch of players who like are on the top of the game and also still.

[00:29:31] Eytan: will engage with fans like that. Um, and I think there’s, of course, obviously some who don’t necessarily like it when they’re asked for autographs, but it’s like, and I’m sure it may be different had I actually, like, been in that position. But to me, I’m like, you know, if I’m famous like that, and I’m like, playing for this team, like, it doesn’t take so much time out of my day to just, Sign some balls or take some pictures that like goes such a long day for like making a family’s day by such a small action like that

[00:30:01] Anna: it’s even bigger than that, right? Like, it’s not even just making someone’s day really. I mean, you just told that story when I asked you what your favorite baseball memory was. And there are people who like, that will be the impetus behind why they become a fan of the game of baseball completely.

[00:30:17] Anna: So It’s a really special thing when players go out of their way to do that. I especially love when, when I see them do that for kids, you know, like you said that it just is such a small thing, but it goes such a long way and it’s so meaningful.

[00:30:31] Eytan: the same thing could always be extended for fans, right, when you see those clips. Of, people catching a home run or a foul ball and handing it to the little kid nearby who tried to catch it and it passes outstretched arm, and those ones always also go viral.

[00:30:49] Eytan: And I think it’s also, it has a meaning beyond baseball of like, even in these days, or of course, there’s so much negativity around that sort of those positive moments of, okay, just doing something small for someone I mean giving up a ball you caught, it’s still something that everyone loves to see and is still something that like people really appreciate 

[00:31:13] Anna: That’s so true. That’s so true. And such a big part of, of why I love this game as much as I do. And, Yeah, it’s always, it just makes my day when I see something cool like that happen at the ballpark, so. What’s left to check off on the baseball bucket list, right? Like, what’s the number one thing you want to do, person you want to meet, place you gotta see, something like that.

[00:31:32] Eytan: Yeah, so I think, I think there are actually three, three things that come to mind for that. um, definitely making it to more ballparks, um, around different areas of the country. Um, I think definitely the ones that stick out are, um, in San Francisco with the bay right there. And also I think the ones that have like scenery in the background are always really cool.

[00:31:54] Eytan: Cause I’m like, it’s, you’ve got to take in a nice views, and also take in a baseball game. Um, and so. definitely getting to experience more of the more, um, intricate ballparks across America. and also there’s definitely some minor league ballparks, which would be cool to see as well. and then I’ve always wanted two things.

[00:32:11] Eytan: I’ve always wanted to be able to throw out the first pitch somewhere, and like go onto the mound and just take that toss and throw the ball home. Um, and I also have always wanted to, um, sing the national anthem or I guess some sing something, especially, considering how much, that music and singing is part of my life as well, to like sort of mesh, mesh those two of like, well, I’m at a baseball game and also be able to sing at a baseball game.

[00:32:39] Eytan: Um, the tricky part there is that like, I can’t really go. Put on a Red Sox hat and sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium. So, I’m still, still trying to work that one out and see how that would work out. Uh, who knows, maybe I’ll do it for the Mets AA affiliate in Binghamton, because, you know, the Mets don’t have such animus to those who are Red Sox fans.

[00:32:58] Eytan: Um, and maybe I’ll do it with the school a cappella group that I’m part of. So, maybe we’ll, maybe we’ll combine that. But definitely either being on the throw of the first pitch, or to sing the national anthem or something would be definitely a big item on the bucket list and something that hopefully will happen at some point.

[00:33:15] Anna: Yeah, I mean I definitely think it’s attainable, especially at like a minor league level for sure. I mean, if you get a, a school acapella group, that’s the kind of stuff that minor league teams kind of drool over. So, 

[00:33:26] Eytan: Yeah, and I actually, um, there are a bunch of people who, from the community in Binghamton, who know, like the, because, because with local minor league teams, they actually, of course, integrate themselves with the community, and so, like, Being the big, not, we’re obviously not the size of some of the huge public universities, but we’re a decently sized university, especially in a not so large city like Binghamton, that that connection between, the students and also the minor league team is ready there.

[00:33:56] Eytan: And in fact, I had the opportunity as part of a journalist for the school newspaper to cover, um, the stadium’s new deal. that they had, and also, like, there’s people who know the ownership and know different, people within the Rumble Ponies in Binghamton. Um, and so that, that may not be so far off.

[00:34:17] Eytan: I noticed that there, are a lot of minor league and major league teams these days, which are doing more and more, um, Jewish heritage nights, of course, coupled with many other different cultures, which they’re noticing and honoring, um, I think rightly so at the various local and sort of larger scale games.

[00:34:37] Eytan: Uh, in fact, last year, A bunch of, students and who are part of different Jewish organizations at, um, Binghamton University, went to a game together as part of, the Hillel and JLIC organizations at Binghamton, um, and so, like, that was shouted out at the game, to welcome us there, but maybe that potentially turns into a Jewish heritage night potentially happening, um, Um, in Binghamton with the Mets AA affiliate there, and I know, that they’re happening sort of everywhere across, baseball, some teams actually having Jewish players on the team, and some, some not, but I think definitely, and as I mentioned earlier with the next one.

[00:35:23] Eytan: Um, emergence of the Israel baseball team and these Jewish players being featured so prominently that like a lot of, people my age and younger, um, who like have these dreams, whether or not they actually get fulfilled, but have these dreams of playing Major League Baseball, and are also Jewish.

[00:35:41] Eytan: we’ll look, and we’ll see, because there’s all these lists of who are the Jewish players, and, like, it’s always fun to find something in common with a, with a player on the field, 

[00:35:50] Eytan: and I actually, um, I’ll give a shout out to Zach Rapp, who works at, um, Major League Baseball and the commissioner’s office for overseeing club services for many different minor league teams has actually put effort to recognize sort of this, these contributions and make more of these Jewish heritage nights possible and work with any teams on that, which I think is something really cool.

[00:36:12] Eytan: It’s also happening, I think. Having different teams, whether it’s a Jewish heritage night or any other of these heritage nights or culture nights, which are happening across minor and major league baseball, I think, are another really cool way, to integrate sort of the local community and local culture going on, around you with the stadium with the players and team as well.

[00:36:33] Anna: Yeah, for sure. that’s one of the things that I’ve been enjoying more about baseball, like the last couple of years is it, it seems like they are making an effort to kind of, you know, call to attention. I won’t say it like necessarily like the differences. I don’t think that’s the, the The, idea behind it, but it’s mostly, like, hey, we’ve got groups of people who are from different backgrounds of life, and that’s really cool, and that’s what makes our team, or our community, or our country so special, and so I’m with you, like, I think these heritage nights and kind of, like, spreading the word and teaching some history about the different cultures and things like that is just, like, another really cool thing behind the game.

[00:37:18] Eytan: Yeah, I think it’s really cool and something they continue to improve upon and also like work with local communities and work with different people to. Make happen make possible because I think of course baseball is among the major sports in America And is you’ll see it on the TV and hear about these players these massive contracts But beyond that it’s a game that people love to watch love to play and love to engage with and I think that’s also Something that goes from it being this like, okay, like in the big lights on a National stage to also being, um, in people’s living rooms and people’s backyards as well.

[00:37:57] Anna: yeah, where do we send people if they want to follow you online? You know, maybe they’re invested in this story now and they want to follow along to see when you when you guys sing the national anthem

[00:38:07] Eytan: Yeah. So, I mean, I would, I would definitely post about singing a national anthem, um, at any of my social media accounts, just at Eytan Sanger. and I guess the name will be spelled in the bio correctly. So, yeah, but, um, hopefully that following will end up happening, um, following through with that, um, and being able to, uh, sing some national anthem.

[00:38:32] Eytan: National Anthems.

[00:38:33] Anna: Yeah, I think it’s awesome. I look forward to to seeing that happen and Eytan. I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you I can’t thank you enough for the time and wish you luck with the remainder of your interview and then into the school year

[00:38:45] Eytan: Thank you.

[00:38:46] Anna: And that will wrap up this episode of the baseball bucket list podcast, special, thanks to Eytan Saenger for joining us today and sharing those stories and memories. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, if you think you might like to be a guest on the show, head to baseball bucket list.com/podcast and fill out an application. I’d absolutely love to hear from you. 

[00:39:04] Anna: While you’re there, make sure to spend some time on the site and send them for a free membership. Build your own baseball bucket list. Track your ballpark visits and connect with other fans. And if you find yourself enjoying the show each week, please take a moment to rate and review it in the podcast app of your choice. You have no idea how long of a way it goes and helping new listeners find the show. And I would really, really appreciate it. 

[00:39:25] Anna: That’s it for this week. Thanks so much for listening. We’ll see you next episode.