DEFENDING HIS HONOR
Point Blank talks it over with Steve Schirripa
Steve Schirripa and I spoke late last night about my post on “The Sopranos” and tickets to sporting events.
The man who played Bobby Baccala made his points. He said I was out-of-line for making him the face of the story, when it was really a horrible few weeks at the Islanders in 2007 with one of his castmates that ticked me off. Fair criticism.
I explained to Steve what sparked the blog entry. Almost two years later, I still can’t believe what we went through with the unnamed “Sopranos” actor. I had heard a long time ago that the story had even become legend with the group of New York actors from the show. (It says it all that, while Point Blank readers guessed all day about the mystery Family member, Schirripa knew exactly who it was).
So with that horror show still in mind, I see Schirripa the other day tell his story on Michael Kay’s show about why he’s not a Mets fan anymore. I think, What the hell is up with these “Sopranos” guys? and turn it into a blog.
Steve told me last night that his tale of dropping the Mets for the Yankees is simply “show-biz,” something he’s told on several talk shows and spins a little Hollywood into. He said that while he was deeply disasppointed because he felt the Mets weren’t honest and professional towards him, it wasn’t the deal-breaker. He said his love for the Yankees pre-dates the incident when he wanted to take his wife and kids to the Mets opener.
I pointed out to Schirripa that, just as my piece may have hurt him, he’s taking down some good people in the Mets franchise every time he tells the story. As a former PR person, I recommended he drop the anecdote from his talk show appearances because it does not reflect the good man I’m told he is. (A friend of mine from the Garden called today to say Schirripa is a prince when it comes to charitable work).
I asked Steve to understand where I was coming from with my blog. I have this crazy experience with another fellow on the show, and then I see him on TV say flatly that he’s not a Mets fan anymore because they didn’t hook him up with good tickets.
Steve said it was BS to have his character assailed because of another guy he was on TV with. When I told him, “Fair or not, your show is so iconic that you are forever linked with the rest of the cast,” he was as direct as Baccala: “Just not with that guy,” he said.
Lesson learned. And almost as valuable, I forever have a sweet voicemail message from Bobby Baccala saying, “Let’s hash this out man-to-man, Chris.” I thank him for doing just that.
(No, the mystery man is not in this photo. Sack and Walnuts would never pull a stunt like that. Gandolfini would never need to.)
Comments.
31 Responses to DEFENDING HIS HONOR
Point Blank talks it over with Steve Schirripa
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MSA says:
NO VITO IN PIC…..LOL
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Dally Mac says:
Wow this proves, that this blog is really taking off. As if you needed the eveidence. IT’s 12:12 Atlantic time here in Cape Breton time for bed. My Elementary girls basketbal team has a big game tomorrow and the coach needs his sleep.
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mrlbem says:
Never watched the show all that much, but the guy on the left (the photo of the 4 guys around the table) looks like Scott Gordon 20 years from now.
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michael says:
i gotta agree with MSA, the sopranos character in question has to be vito, he’s a mets fan.. he’s from queens. who else could it possibly be?
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isles316 says:
Anyone who switches alliances to the Yankees from the Mets in part because of poor tickets deserves to get ripped about it. Especially when they talk about it on TV shows. Maybe your blog wasn’t entirely fair but at the same time Steve needs to grow up and be able to handle criticism when he partly brought it on himself.
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On the other hand CB, the fact that this bothered him so much that he called you and wanted to talk about it speaks well for your site and how much you are respected.
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haha mrlbem it does look like a future scott gordon. how can you even pretend for show biz about that. its dumb
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Patrick says:
A comedian friend of mine did a Spike TV gig with Steve and he was nothing but a jackass to him, constantly stating how he hates working with comedians yet he had them on his show
Maybe Steve should realize his career peaked with the Sopranos and he should stop living the wannabe mobster role…
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I think its great that Steve got in touch with you, Chris. I live in Lynbrook and every time I pass by Trainland I think of Bobby Baccala!
Oh… and until last summer I lived in East Rockaway- only 3 blocks away from the particular cast member methinks is the one in question lol
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potvin05 says:
I saw Joey. G in the halls at the Coliseum twice last season….
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tom says:
the dudes obviously a nice guy and hated the idea of being linked up with “whoever”. put yourself in his position. we all know someone in our lives that’s a jerk. and if this “someone” we know, does something stupid and we are talked about in the same vein as this guy because of working together or being related… we’d hate it too. and one more thing… i really think that
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Pnut says:
Was it the character “Big P*ssy”???
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Terry says:
There is an expression for this, “Never look a gift horse in the mouth”. Whether its Mets tickets, Yankee tix, Isles tix, Dora the explorer on ice, if you take them, use them,then go bad mouth the people that gave them to you, especially on national TV and radio, you are being a tool. If you are mixing in “hollywood” to further your own career goals (lets face it, this guy can only play gangters. You think you’ll ever see Hamlet with Steve Schrippa?) you are an even bigger tool. If the anyone at the Mets is reading this, I would love free tickets to opening day.
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dose says:
CB seems to branching out a little with the topics of his pieces. I wonder if we’re seeing a preview of his post-’point blank’ plan.
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dp says:
CB Great post as always! This site is awesome, you must continue it post season!
Newsday Saturday Rags and Isles both playing today/tonight and zero hockey articles – -great morning read.
Can you write more about the players and their lives outside of hockey, like if they are dads (i.e. Yann Danis) I really enjoyed reading Logan regarding danis’s reaction to fatherhood, what they like to do in the offseason, favorite movies, books, music etc it adds a personal note and in a season where we’re playing for Taveduche it makes things more interesting.
thanks again for a great site.
PS interesting article in Snooze day re cerro wire development project and how a local syosset group who oppose the mall (The Cerro Wire Coalition) wants to work with the developer to create an alternate development for the site which sounds much like the Lighthouse :
“A proposal that includes a mix of apartment buildings and townhouses, a hotel, offices and retail space.”
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B.P. says:
Gotta be Joe “Johnny Cakes” Gannascoli. AKA Vito Spatafore (sp) Nice subtle hint there Chris :p You see him muggin for the cameras at just about every NY sporting arena. Would love to know what happened but some things are better left untold LOL! Probably expects all these teams to roll out the red crapet for him. Since we don’t know, I guess we really shouldn’t assume. It is fun though.
Good stuff Botts!
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The world is the size of a walnut, and you are becoming more famous by the hour. Everyone knows your effect on the internet connected public. You’re not just hockey any more. (Ask for a walk on in his next project ;o)
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beatlebailey says:
Wonder how the call between CB and Baccala started:
Baccala: Am I a clown Chris?, do I amuse you? I’m here to ****in’ amuse you…?”
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bCarey says:
those dudes are all at the golden globes or some goofy hollywood soiree and they still look scary as shit. talk about type-casting.
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ken says:
Vito with his stupid Sean Bates like lisp.
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SAve it says:
Cb Did you get scared Baccala was call in Tony and the crew of the Bada Bing to rearrange your chrome dome/?
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isles72 says:
I miss the Sopranos
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB … as long as he offered to meet at the corner cafe for some cappuccino and cannoli to discuss things … that is good … just resist the urge to hook him up with Stanley Cup Final Tix in 2012.
Seriously I think a lot of Hollywood types get sucked into that vortex of celebrity and lose perspective … their careers depend on it … a lot of times their next job depends on who they are seen with and what events they attend … not defending that way of life … it is what it is. As quick as someone’s star rises … another star burns out to oblivion… and they know that.
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IsleofNJ says:
I have the perfect solution to the lightouse mess…. have Wang change the name of the project to the BOTTAHOUSE !Nobody would dare stop it then.
CB, You are one influential dude ! -
Dose (#15),
There’s not much to write about this team that’s interesting. The important topics/issues are, in no particular order:
1. Lighthouse Project;
2. Trade Deadline;
3. Watching any new prospects who come over after said Trading Deadline on 3/4;
4. Draft Lottery; and
5. FA Signings.Since 2-5 are more than a month away, what else can CB write about? At a certain point in time (like now), who cares about the line combinations and injury reports anymore?
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admin says:
I don’t think you’ll see a lot of these type stories. The “Sopranos” thing started out Islanders-related because of my experience with an actor while I was on the team staff. Then it got a followup story when Steve reached out to me. It won’t be a habit. For as long as I’m doing this, there will always be plenty of Islanders hockey stories to tell – even as I find myself no longer going to every practice …CB
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Al P says:
I happened to meet and speak to the cast member in question and he told me a story about that night. He said only complimentary things about you Chris….but he’s a Ranger fan…..I have lots of stories about this guy that will make you laugh……..probably not for posting here….it’s amazing what a little fame does to people!
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Dave says:
Does the character of the mystery Soprano share your first name?
Awesome…!!! Very funny… hey, at least you know people that know people. He’s a “FRIEND” of yours.
Nice job Chris
DOC