PHOTOS
Gina Tomaine
It's no secret the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area is Yankees territory. But one of the biggest Yankee fans anywhere is from Dunmore.
Jimmy Brozetti, who is considered a "legendary local Yankee fan" and did not miss a game at Yankee Stadium in over 10 years at one point, has played a key role in coordinating the Legends Reunion.
Brozetti recently talked about how he became a Yankee fan, his attendance streak and the World Series ring he was given by George Steinbrenner.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Legends Reunion in Scranton?
I think it's wonderful that they are reuniting the Yankees. I know most of the ballplayers and I think that they will all be excited about it, especially since it's the last year at Yankee Stadium. I just think it's very nice and I'm glad they're doing it.
What are you most excited to see?
I was just so surprised that they're doing it here in our area. But I suppose the Yankees and the Red Sox both started their minor league careers here in the '40s, I believe, and I think it's so nice that the two of them are playing together.
I can't wait to see the ballplayers all in one place. It's been done in Yankee Stadium so much so it's great to have them here in Scranton. Actually, this morning I had a meeting with the committee on the game, and I found the original '78 Yankees and Red Sox game. I got caught up watching it so I had to come into my job a little late today.
Have you ever heard of a similar game between Yankee and Red Sox Legends?
Not really. I've attended a Joe DiMaggio game every year in Florida. Obviously a lot of the ballplayers attended that, most of them Hall of Famers. But just to gather up the Yankees and the Red Sox is amazing. Especially in Scranton.
How did you become such a huge Yankees fan?
I started going to Yankee Stadium as a kid with my dad - he was a die-hard Yankee fan. It was in my blood. I went five days in a row to see Mickey Mantle hit his 500th home run and I made sure I went to Yankee stadium at least 40 times a year. I bought my tickets from a gentleman named Richard Craft. I didn't know him at the time, but the tickets were always waiting for me and I would use his name. In 1986, Mr. Craft put his arm around me and he said, "Who are you?" I told him I was Jimmy Brozetti, and he took me off to his office. He was George Steinbrenner's roommate in college and George was the general manager of Yankee Stadium at the time. We got to be very good friends and he put me on a family list, so I attended every event the Yankees ever had.
Do you really have a 917-game attendance streak at Yankee Stadium?
Oh yes. I was there for all the games, and anything that happened in Florida, such as the game where they had the Fantasy Camp. I was there twice. Thurman Munson was my favorite baseball player, so the Yankees allowed me to use his locker and his uniform for that week. It was so exciting for me, and I ended up having it signed by seven Hall of Famers. From the time I met Mr. Steinbrenner in 1986, I attended 917 consecutive home games from my hometown in Dunmore. I never stayed over except for one weekend, and I saw five no-hitters and two perfect games. As a baseball fan, to see one no-hitter is amazing. Well, I saw five.
You really are like a part of the team. You never got tired of traveling back and forth?
At the beginning it was very exciting for me and my goal was to see the Yankees win the world championship. I didn't mind traveling. Every year I would wait, I wanted it so bad. When they won the World Series, it was incredible.
In 1996, I went and prayed to the Blessed Mother every day for the Yankees to win the World Series. When they did I was happier than anyone in the world, and I gave her all the credit. There was so much going on in that game. We were behind and then we came back with a three-run homer and it was like destiny.
And George Steinbrenner presented you with a World Series ring?
I saw Don Mattingly play his first game. I saw him play his last game. And I saw him play every home game in between. I would sit right next to the Yankees' dugout.
But you see, I'm in the vending and amusement business. I had a machine that was called "clutch hitter" and I had it painted with pictures of Don. I knew Don very well so I wanted to give him this on his day. I had the machine delivered to Yankee Stadium, so on Don Mattingly Day I was at the stadium early and I was up in Mr. Steinbrenner's restaurant and they asked me to go onto the field with the machine and present it to Don Mattingly. Mr. Steinbrenner saw that and he knew I went to every single game and he decided then that I deserved the World Series ring. He told me to come back in six weeks and they called me and I drove down and there it was. It was great to go out to different sports bars after that with the World Series ring. It was like winning the lottery.
You also have a close connection with Roy White?
I talk to Roy White on the phone every single day. I met Roy when he was in the Yankee farm system back in the '60s and we just hit it off. We were in New Jersey together. When I heard he was called up by the Yankees I was so excited. We always stayed very good friends, more like brothers. He has the Roy White Foundation. I lost my son in an automobile accident a few years ago and Roy's foundation gives a humanitary award out every single year. I was privileged to give the award out and I've always been involved with everything Roy ever did. We're the best of friends.
Any other thoughts on Yankee history?
One time the Yankees were playing Boston on a Friday evening, and I got a call from Mr. Steinbrenner that the Yankees wanted me there that night because I was good luck. Well, we ended up beating the Red Sox that evening.
As far as the Yankees go, nobody loves the Yankees more than I do.