HELD UP WITHOUT A GUN
Local actors lose way, demand great seats to games
Allow me a moment to sing about some of the members of the supporting cast of one of my all-time favorite shows, “The Sopranos.” I saw something the other day on “CenterStage,” the Michael Kay interview show on YES, that made my jaw drop in recognition.
Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccala on “The Sopranos,” was Michael’s guest. The actor was asked about how he was a longtime Mets fan but in recent years switched to the Yankees. Okay, kinda unheard of for real sports fans in New York, but certainly Schirripa had good reasons. Right?
Not really. Talk about someone losing their way. With dead seriousness, Schirripa told Kay why he dropped his beloved Metsies. He said that when “The Sopranos” debuted, he contacted the Mets and asked for tickets to Opening Day. “I even offered to give them my credit card and pay for them,” he said. What a guy!
The Mets’ crime? “They put me in seats all the way in right field.” Who does this guy think he is - DeNiro?
Imagine that. While fans are sleeping overnight at Shea in March to get tickets to the home opener, an unknown actor who blessedly became part of a cultural phenomenom figured not only would the Mets hook him up with tickets, but that they’d put him in the best seats in the house. We’re not talking Jerry Seinfeld here. Schirripa was, cautiously, the 11th lead on “The Sopranos.” (My list: Tony, Carmela, Christopher, Dr. Melfi, Paulie, Meadow, A.J., Silvio, Junior, Janice, Adriana-even-when-dead).
He’s a 50-year old man from Bensonhurst who you’d think would understand what it’s like to be a real sports fan in New York. To be honest, before I saw him on the Kay show, Steve Schirripa always seemed like such a good, honorable, knows-where-he-comes-from guy. I want to hope he was kidding.
Unfortunately, there is a pattern here. I won’t put the gentleman’s name and photo in this blog because he has my email address, knows where to find me and is a pretty big man. But I had a similar situation at the Islanders, even worse because it got personally ugly.
Another “Sopranos” cast member - somewhere in the 12-18 rank of leads - once drove me completely up the wall with freeloading. Like Schirripa, this was another local guy who acted like a sweetheart before he completely lost his way. And it’s not like I didn’t know he was a huge Rangers fan! Not that there’s anything wrong with that. What started off as a press pass request turned into demands for comp tickets and a whole lot more.
Let me cut to the David chase. It got so bad with this fellow, I was called by my Islanders colleagues at home and asked to come back to a private event and tell the man and his friends to leave.
I’ll never forget the look the mobster-on-TV shot me. The man was not acting.
Speaking of Italians: Scott Gordon seemed to want to make a point of declaring it’s time for Chris Campoli to step it up. The coach told a trio of reporters at yesterday’s practice that he met with the struggling 24-year old defenseman. “Chris has a lot of untouched potential,” said Gordon. “I want him to change his mindset. I’d like to see him really push himself and start elevating his play. You don’t always have to beat the opponent one-on-one,” said Gordon. “Sometimes it’s better to distribute the puck and go.”
In making his point about Campoli’s two-way play within a system, the coach praised a blog item by Greg Logan of a month ago on former Islanders defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron. This may have been the paragraph from Logie that Scott was referring to:
What does all this have to do with the Islanders? Well, considering how many of the Islanders are struggling on defense while trying to change to fit new coach Scott Gordon’s system, it shows a couple of things. One, the same player performs differently in different systems, suggesting they are a product of the system. Two, a player can change his spots when the coach succeeds in connecting with him and communicating his message.
Gordon will have at least another season and likely beyond to get his message across - in many cases with new players.
ETC: Peter Mannino has been recalled on an emergency basis to back up Yann Danis for tonight’s 4-pointer in Atlanta. Don’t forget to check Greg’s blog for all the latest from Atlanta on the kids vs. vets line combinations. Greg should have final details later in the afternoon on who’s centering Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau.
Comments. The Point Blank Poll continues in the next thread. Go there to participate. Some of the responses - positive and negative - are hilarious. Below the Poll thread is a chance for us to continue to get to know you. Some hysterical stuff there, too.
46 Responses to “HELD UP WITHOUT A GUN
Local actors lose way, demand great seats to games”
Please Wait
My guess is Johnny Sack!
That would be my guess as well. CB — like the Springsteen call out with the NVMC connection!
No it was Artie Bucco…He cooks a mean pasta fazooooool
I’m betting it was Vito (the guy who like johnny cakes) . I’m pretty sure he is from the area.
CB- who gives Pat Zajac all those games? The best part is he always says “Rangers suck” when interviewed
i could have told you many years ago what a
douchebagDuchene steve schirippa is with his hacky wannabe mobster actPat Sajak is been the nicest guy around. He first contacted me last season when he was coming in to sub for Regis. Said he was taking his son to the game, didn’t ask for anything and volunteered to do fun things for the scoreboard and Islanders TV. Class act…CB
Meadow Soprano sang the anthem at a few Isles games, she is clearly not who CB is talking about.
My educated guess for CB’s villain is Joseph Gannascoli a/k/a Vito.
Typical celebrity’s style of behavior. Not suprising at all. Big stars get a lot of things first and for free. Small stars(Big Stars wanna be) just trying to follow.
Speaking of Campoli: He needs to change his style of play to “Sopranos” style - hit them smart and hard when they least expect this. He’ll do good, no doubts.
With his ability to score and offensive mind he fitts to the new system perfectly.
Now it’s Gordon’s job to squeeze the consistency out of him.
it had to be vito. Wonder what the problem was that CB got called back for. What no chaps allowed at the private party? sooiieee!!!
I agree now that it was likely Vito. I forgot that CB said he was a big guy.
CB better watch out….”leave the gun take the cannolis”..lol
Chris,
Baccala should be made to buy his vowels. If for nothing else his legacy is marrying and fathering a child with Aida Torturro(the Italian Rosie O’Donnell)… maybe he’ll be able to get some tickets for the next Coen brothers’ movie opening…(see cousin John).
My guess for the Isles fan is Ganniscoli, who probably was hitting on Bruno Gervais…
Solution for Chris Campoli…. GET BRAD LUKAWICH BACK!!!
I dont think Mr.Gannascoli is gonna like this! look both ways in the morning CB when you leave your house! RVC is just doorsteps away from valley stream! HA!
Think its Vito, he’s quite big (ha) and very local to CB as he is mentioned as being an East Rockaway resident, only steps away from RVC. Any chance he’ll show at point blank night ???
If my memory serves me correctly (no sure thing), I recall seeing Vincent “B.P.” Pastore at the game once or twice. He kind of fits the description.
Though if i really had to guess, I am certain it is Furio.
**
Along the lines of what someone above said…
Solution for Chris Campoli: HIRE A FORMER NHL DEFENSEMAN TO COACH THE $%&! DEFENSE!!!
CB, it’s definitely Vito because I know he’s a big Rangers Fan; He Told me last time we were doing our thang. But have no worries, he’s got a couple of bum Hips, he can’t chase you too well, he might bring some lead though…hope you can do the macarena.
Awesome post! Nice to start the day with a few laughs. Thanks Chris.
Yeah, its either Gannascoli or Vincent Pastore (aka) Big Pussy. CB…if they are NYR fans, I wouldn’t have given them nada. I wonder if the folks at MSG/NYR would be as gracious to a celeb who is a known Isle fan i.e. Kevin Connolly, Kristi Brinkley et al…
Man Botta Bing, I hope it wasn’t Furio after you! LOL It was probably Tony’s Uncle.
Going to be interesting from this point on, it seems in a way that the season is starting today.
I’m with Matt @ # 20; Sounds like a Vinny Pastore to me. Not Sure if the Big Puss is a Rangers Fan or not but I know he’s down in the Popularity Ranks and I know he has Family in Patchogue!
Stummers, I was just going to say the same thing. For CB’s sake I hope it wasn’t Furio either. Maybe it was Adrianna and CB was just awe struck by her beauty.
Big 4 point game tonight, like mentioned. It is do or die time for some of the younger guys to see where they fit in (in my opinion). I like Bruno and Camps and Tambs but I am not sure if the organization will be crazy about them fitting in with the future direction. But in all seriousness who would fill their spots?
They called YOU to take care of removing them because you’re the only one who was capable of doing it. (PC way of saying what I’m thinking.)
Campoli DOES have untapped potential. I hope Scott finds a way to cultivate it.
i hope chris campoli can find a way to light it up. i had high expectations for him this year
I hope it wasn’t the Russian who killed 16 Czechoslovakians who was an interior decorator !!! (lol) His place looked like crap !
Pretty sure it’s Vinny Pastore. . Mr Big Pussy himself.
Yeah Campoli really has been a disappointment so far. For a guy who likes to skate you would think he’d thrive in Go Go’s system. Let’s hope some personal attention from Scott will get him going.
this is the real list: Tony, Junior, Christopher, Carmela, Paulie, Jennifer Melfi, Phil Leotardo, Johnny Sack, Meadow, AJ, Livia, Adrianna, DiPietro, Campoli, Tambellini, Botta, muself
I’m surprised at Schirripa. Before he went Hollywood he was entertainment director at the Riviera out here and I had the opportunity to work with him occasionally. He would hook me up with tix and cocktails at the comedy club whenever I asked him. He was a great guy to work with back in 94-95.
it’s def not Furio. He lives in Grammercy.
My guess is Johnny Sack.
That’s why I don’t give a damn about any celebrities. Don’t want to meet them, don’t want to talk to them. Many of them have no concept of the real world anyway.
I wonder if Gordo’s comments toward Campoli are a warning he will bring up other D if Campoli doesn’t start playing better.
Glad Gordon called out Campoli. I remember Nolan not calling him up right away b/c of attitude, and Campoli having a real edge to his game when he finally got that call. Maybe he’s the type of player that needs to be kept honest like that.
my guess is Big Pussy form the first season. CB said he was huge and pussy was one of the largest characters i can remember
Cb- guess I misspelled Sajak - Must’ve been thinking of Travis Zajac
Wouldnt he look good in Blue and Orange? Wheel of Fortune became one of my favorite shows after his “Rangers suck” quote over the loudspeaker. Classic!!
If it was Annabella Sciorra (Gloria), I personally would give her my seats in 303 any day
As long as it wasn’t Mr. Pink.. aka Tony Blundetto… aka Buscemi… he might run you over with his Ice Cream Truck (Trees Lounge reference)
Nascarella (Carlo) seems to have a problem with his libation management, so he’s a possibility… plus, I think he was a cop… making the whole “shakedown” thing more believable.
having met campoli he is Definitely a guy that needs to be reminded he is a fringe dman until he proves otherwise.
Funny part is that I remember seeing this gentleman around on numerous occasions last season - I won’t name name in order to protect him…
Too funny
I’m glad Gordon said something to Campoli because the isles defense has been painful to watch. I think he would fit in well with the system if he just did a little more and tried harder.
Fritsche was traded for a dmen. Too bad we couldnt trade pock for him….
CB, I think you picked the right part of the Logan’s blog that Gordon must have liked, because if certainly couldn’t have been this…
“…You’re going to waste your energy; you’re going to be medium in the defensive zone, you’re going to be medium in the neutral zone and you’re going to be medium in the offensive zone because you’re going to be tired all the time you’re on the ice. Save your energy so you’ll be good in the defensive zone, and whenever your chances come on the power play or a big chance five-on-five, then, it’s worth it to do it.”
Tambs & Sim are the healthy scratches tonight. According to logans blog
Reminds me of a day I sepnt at Shea, it was the Yankees-Mets game and I got in the tent thye used to have, it was all the booze and food for free you could imagine. Jeff Van Gundy is there and actualy makes his way to the worst bleacher seats possible, we asked him what the heck he was doing in the back of thebleachers, he said he had free seats and shouldn’ take a close seat because it wasn’tright he was just happy they found a seat for him
A B list actor was also in the tent and threw a fit when he was told he could not take his kids on the field. He had no clue Jeff Wilon was right behind him, until jeff actually told security, check his ticket and if he does not have one, show him the 7 train. He was asked to leave.
My guess is Joe. I live in RVC and I see him all the time in the area. He’s even in King Kullen pushing his sauces that he sells.