1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:06,518 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of My 2 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:15,198 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. Hello and welcome back to another episode of 3 00:00:15,318 --> 00:00:18,358 Speaker 1: the Book of Joe Podcast with me, Tom Berducci and 4 00:00:18,438 --> 00:00:21,318 Speaker 1: of course Joe, Matt and Joe. How are you doing today, 5 00:00:21,478 --> 00:00:23,318 Speaker 1: I'm good, Tommy. How are you doing back there in 6 00:00:23,358 --> 00:00:29,198 Speaker 1: the warm Northeast. Yeah, well it's snowless north Northeast so far, 7 00:00:29,438 --> 00:00:32,078 Speaker 1: which means probably snow this weekend now that I mentioned it. 8 00:00:32,118 --> 00:00:34,278 Speaker 1: But you know, one of the things we love talking 9 00:00:34,318 --> 00:00:37,838 Speaker 1: about this is on this podcast Joe is teamwork. And 10 00:00:38,158 --> 00:00:41,198 Speaker 1: you know how a group is as a whole is 11 00:00:41,238 --> 00:00:43,518 Speaker 1: much more powerful than the individual. And we've got a 12 00:00:43,518 --> 00:00:46,398 Speaker 1: good story today to dive into that I think goes 13 00:00:46,518 --> 00:00:50,598 Speaker 1: beyond the limits of a athletic team and it really 14 00:00:50,678 --> 00:00:54,518 Speaker 1: involves teamworking, community. And I'm talking about Patterson, New Jersey 15 00:00:55,438 --> 00:00:58,918 Speaker 1: and a project that's going on right now to renovate 16 00:00:59,158 --> 00:01:04,398 Speaker 1: and renew and reopen historic Hinchcliff Stadium. If not familiar 17 00:01:04,398 --> 00:01:08,238 Speaker 1: with Hinchcliff Stadium, it's one of only two Negro League 18 00:01:08,278 --> 00:01:12,798 Speaker 1: ballparks still standing today. The others in Birmingham, Alabama, rick 19 00:01:12,838 --> 00:01:18,358 Speaker 1: Woodfield Hinchcliff Stadium returning to glory in large part as 20 00:01:18,398 --> 00:01:22,078 Speaker 1: a community effort and led by our guest, the mayor, 21 00:01:22,438 --> 00:01:27,078 Speaker 1: a beautiful city of Paterson, New Jersey. Andre say welcome, Mayor, 22 00:01:27,438 --> 00:01:30,998 Speaker 1: Tommy pronounced that perfectly. Thank you. It's like you practiced 23 00:01:31,038 --> 00:01:34,238 Speaker 1: all morning in the mirror, did well. I'm a big 24 00:01:34,278 --> 00:01:37,438 Speaker 1: fan of what's going on in Patterson, um, and I 25 00:01:37,478 --> 00:01:41,278 Speaker 1: want you to explain to people why a public project 26 00:01:41,398 --> 00:01:44,598 Speaker 1: like this is so important for me. It's easy, right, 27 00:01:44,598 --> 00:01:47,398 Speaker 1: I'm Joe and I huge baseball fans, love the history 28 00:01:47,438 --> 00:01:51,038 Speaker 1: of this game, especially honoring the legends of the Negro leagues. 29 00:01:51,998 --> 00:01:54,718 Speaker 1: But as far as a community as a whole, Mayor, 30 00:01:55,078 --> 00:01:58,358 Speaker 1: why does this make sense? First time, now that we've 31 00:01:58,398 --> 00:02:01,998 Speaker 1: dispensed with the pleasant trees. In full disclosure, I'm a 32 00:02:02,118 --> 00:02:06,918 Speaker 1: long loyal, suffering, long time suffering New York Mets fan, 33 00:02:07,078 --> 00:02:11,038 Speaker 1: unabashed at that as well are and wearing this tie 34 00:02:11,038 --> 00:02:12,638 Speaker 1: and honor of you. You can't see my socks, but 35 00:02:12,678 --> 00:02:16,438 Speaker 1: their Met socks too. Thank you, guys, than thanks for 36 00:02:16,518 --> 00:02:18,598 Speaker 1: acknowledging that. I really appreciate it. I feel like I'm 37 00:02:18,598 --> 00:02:22,318 Speaker 1: in the city council chambers right now. But never you 38 00:02:22,438 --> 00:02:24,918 Speaker 1: mentioned rickwood Field In two thousand nine, my wife and 39 00:02:24,958 --> 00:02:27,798 Speaker 1: I visited Birmingham, Alabama. We went to rick Woodfield. We 40 00:02:27,798 --> 00:02:29,638 Speaker 1: took copious notes, and we said that if we ever 41 00:02:30,078 --> 00:02:33,398 Speaker 1: got to get into the mayor's office, we would prioritize 42 00:02:33,438 --> 00:02:37,678 Speaker 1: restoring the other baseball stadium that still stands that hosted 43 00:02:37,718 --> 00:02:41,478 Speaker 1: Negro League games. So we can fast forward fourteen years 44 00:02:41,558 --> 00:02:44,598 Speaker 1: later and we're looking to hit a home run for Hinchlift. 45 00:02:44,598 --> 00:02:47,838 Speaker 1: And we we learned many lessons in Birmingham, Alabama with 46 00:02:48,038 --> 00:02:51,238 Speaker 1: rick Woodfield, where Willie Mays played, so he didn't live 47 00:02:51,278 --> 00:02:55,038 Speaker 1: too far from rick Woodfield and he started there at 48 00:02:55,078 --> 00:02:57,758 Speaker 1: that historic stadium too. But also want to point out, 49 00:02:57,758 --> 00:02:59,558 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm sure both you are aware of the 50 00:02:59,598 --> 00:03:03,638 Speaker 1: movie The Field of Dreams and starring James Earl Jones 51 00:03:03,678 --> 00:03:05,358 Speaker 1: and Kevin and Constaner. And then it was that famous 52 00:03:05,758 --> 00:03:09,038 Speaker 1: phrase if you build it, they will come. Well, in Patterson, 53 00:03:09,478 --> 00:03:12,158 Speaker 1: we're building it and they are coming. Because with all 54 00:03:12,238 --> 00:03:16,238 Speaker 1: due respect to Iowa, that was a movie set. This 55 00:03:16,358 --> 00:03:18,958 Speaker 1: is the real field of dreams in Patterson. This is 56 00:03:18,958 --> 00:03:22,278 Speaker 1: the real field of dreams. Because baseball players African Americans 57 00:03:22,318 --> 00:03:24,318 Speaker 1: who were excluded from playing in Major League Baseball when 58 00:03:24,318 --> 00:03:27,678 Speaker 1: they couldn't play in Fenway, Yankee Stadium Wrigley, they played 59 00:03:27,678 --> 00:03:30,678 Speaker 1: in Patterson. They had a home at hinch Lift. It 60 00:03:30,718 --> 00:03:32,678 Speaker 1: was opened up during a Great Depression by Mayor John 61 00:03:32,758 --> 00:03:35,758 Speaker 1: Hinchliff in ninety two, and then the next year it 62 00:03:35,838 --> 00:03:39,158 Speaker 1: quickly became the home field for two Negro League teams, 63 00:03:39,158 --> 00:03:41,198 Speaker 1: the New York Like Yankees and the New York Cubans, 64 00:03:41,198 --> 00:03:43,558 Speaker 1: and it also hosted the equivalent of the New York 65 00:03:43,638 --> 00:03:46,838 Speaker 1: League World Series at Hinchlift Stadium. Yeah. I just wanted 66 00:03:46,878 --> 00:03:48,798 Speaker 1: to try him in there. First of all, Mary, great 67 00:03:48,838 --> 00:03:52,398 Speaker 1: to meet you. Pleasures I always managed the men's brother. 68 00:03:53,798 --> 00:03:58,118 Speaker 1: I like, that's awesome, man. Uh. You know what, Tommy 69 00:03:58,238 --> 00:04:02,318 Speaker 1: brought this to my attention, Hinchlift Stadium, and I did 70 00:04:02,358 --> 00:04:04,758 Speaker 1: my own research. I just you know, there's so much 71 00:04:04,798 --> 00:04:06,798 Speaker 1: going on there. I mean, it's it's it's quite an 72 00:04:06,838 --> 00:04:09,598 Speaker 1: undertaking to get it back to its original glory and 73 00:04:09,598 --> 00:04:12,478 Speaker 1: then and then even beyond that from some of the 74 00:04:12,558 --> 00:04:14,638 Speaker 1: artists rendering that I've seen, and I'm wondering, I got 75 00:04:14,638 --> 00:04:16,798 Speaker 1: to meet this mayor because to me, it's gonna there's 76 00:04:16,798 --> 00:04:18,678 Speaker 1: a lot going on here. There's a lot of stuff 77 00:04:18,678 --> 00:04:21,678 Speaker 1: going on, a lot of moving parts, uh, to get 78 00:04:21,758 --> 00:04:25,198 Speaker 1: all of this done and the exact eventual vision of 79 00:04:25,238 --> 00:04:27,038 Speaker 1: all this, and I'm meeting you, I can see the 80 00:04:27,118 --> 00:04:29,318 Speaker 1: energy and the enthusiasm is there. I mean, that's really 81 00:04:29,318 --> 00:04:31,278 Speaker 1: what it comes down to. If you have that, you're 82 00:04:31,278 --> 00:04:33,678 Speaker 1: gonna find the backing. I could tell that already just 83 00:04:33,758 --> 00:04:36,038 Speaker 1: by your personality and how sincere and passionate you are 84 00:04:36,078 --> 00:04:39,318 Speaker 1: about this. But curiously, I mean vision wise, I mean, 85 00:04:39,598 --> 00:04:42,318 Speaker 1: you know, on on the surface, I understand, but um, 86 00:04:42,358 --> 00:04:44,158 Speaker 1: there's a lot going on. Like I'm saying, so, how 87 00:04:44,158 --> 00:04:46,038 Speaker 1: how are you gonna go about this step by step? 88 00:04:46,078 --> 00:04:49,638 Speaker 1: How's this can eventually become this, uh, this jewel? Once again, 89 00:04:50,078 --> 00:04:52,118 Speaker 1: thanks Joe, And I would chalk up the energy and 90 00:04:52,198 --> 00:04:54,678 Speaker 1: enthusiasm to the two shots of espresso that I had 91 00:04:54,718 --> 00:04:59,078 Speaker 1: an anticipation of this podcast. I can't paid violation right now, 92 00:04:59,198 --> 00:05:03,398 Speaker 1: fire it up and ready. So so let's get back 93 00:05:03,398 --> 00:05:07,358 Speaker 1: to h wasn't an easy It isn't an easy undertaking, 94 00:05:07,638 --> 00:05:10,518 Speaker 1: very heavy lived, so many partners that are part of 95 00:05:10,518 --> 00:05:12,718 Speaker 1: the process, so many partners that are part of the progress. 96 00:05:12,998 --> 00:05:15,238 Speaker 1: And we're talking about a hundred million dollars in state 97 00:05:15,278 --> 00:05:18,078 Speaker 1: tax credits to make this happen. And I had a choice. 98 00:05:18,158 --> 00:05:22,198 Speaker 1: There there was an opposing group that wanted to build 99 00:05:22,198 --> 00:05:25,358 Speaker 1: a soccer arena downtown. But I felt like, wait a minute. 100 00:05:25,398 --> 00:05:27,478 Speaker 1: We have this stadium that's been sitting foulow there for 101 00:05:27,558 --> 00:05:31,438 Speaker 1: like twenty plus years now twenty six years, and there's 102 00:05:31,438 --> 00:05:33,878 Speaker 1: a school behind it, and for like twenty plus years, 103 00:05:34,318 --> 00:05:36,798 Speaker 1: students were veering outside of the window and seeing what 104 00:05:36,958 --> 00:05:42,118 Speaker 1: declared decay, decline, rubble. That's the wrong site for them 105 00:05:42,158 --> 00:05:45,838 Speaker 1: to see. They deserve better, This country deserves better because 106 00:05:45,838 --> 00:05:48,478 Speaker 1: that stadium speaks to the struggle for civil rights and 107 00:05:48,518 --> 00:05:51,518 Speaker 1: social justice, also speaks to the scourge of segregation. We 108 00:05:51,558 --> 00:05:53,798 Speaker 1: have to be realistic and what happened in this country, 109 00:05:53,798 --> 00:05:55,358 Speaker 1: and we gotta tell the whole story. And that's what 110 00:05:55,398 --> 00:05:57,878 Speaker 1: we're trying to do in Patterson. As we try to 111 00:05:57,878 --> 00:06:00,318 Speaker 1: write a new narrative for a city that struggled in 112 00:06:00,318 --> 00:06:02,678 Speaker 1: the past, we also want to tell the story of 113 00:06:02,678 --> 00:06:04,598 Speaker 1: what happened there and what had been in our country. 114 00:06:04,598 --> 00:06:07,798 Speaker 1: And that's why there's so much significance, historical significance as 115 00:06:07,798 --> 00:06:10,958 Speaker 1: a national treasure. But it's not just the stadium. We're 116 00:06:10,958 --> 00:06:14,318 Speaker 1: building a museum, a museum that will also tell the 117 00:06:14,358 --> 00:06:17,838 Speaker 1: story of the significance of Hinchliff stadium and integrating baseball 118 00:06:18,318 --> 00:06:21,438 Speaker 1: and also the Negro Leagues. So I just vote to 119 00:06:21,478 --> 00:06:24,398 Speaker 1: Bob Kendrick yesterday. We've been in constant communication. He's gonna 120 00:06:24,438 --> 00:06:26,838 Speaker 1: be at the Ribbon Cunning in April, and I'm gonna 121 00:06:26,838 --> 00:06:29,038 Speaker 1: extend an invitation to the two of you as well, 122 00:06:29,438 --> 00:06:31,958 Speaker 1: and we're going to have a museum here that will 123 00:06:31,998 --> 00:06:34,518 Speaker 1: be the Northeast version of the Negro League Museum. So 124 00:06:34,558 --> 00:06:36,438 Speaker 1: if you cannot make it in Kansas City, and I 125 00:06:36,438 --> 00:06:37,878 Speaker 1: don't know how many people are going to be going 126 00:06:37,918 --> 00:06:40,478 Speaker 1: to Missouri anytime soon, you can come to Patterson. So 127 00:06:40,678 --> 00:06:43,158 Speaker 1: anyone Try state area, anyone in the country, anyone in 128 00:06:43,158 --> 00:06:45,958 Speaker 1: the world that wants to see the role that Hinchlift 129 00:06:45,998 --> 00:06:50,598 Speaker 1: played in integrating baseball and learning more about Josh Gipson, Cool, 130 00:06:50,638 --> 00:06:53,838 Speaker 1: Papa Bell Satchel Page, and Patterson's own Larry Dobe, who 131 00:06:53,878 --> 00:06:57,038 Speaker 1: integrated the American League with the then Cleveland Indians on 132 00:06:57,158 --> 00:07:01,278 Speaker 1: July seven, which was eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson did 133 00:07:01,278 --> 00:07:03,278 Speaker 1: it with the Dodgers in the National League on April fifteen, 134 00:07:03,358 --> 00:07:08,878 Speaker 1: nineteen forties. They can come and see for themselves. Yeah, 135 00:07:08,918 --> 00:07:11,678 Speaker 1: I want to give people. You mentioned this more than 136 00:07:11,718 --> 00:07:15,118 Speaker 1: twenty Hall of Famers have played at Hinchlift Stadium. It's 137 00:07:15,158 --> 00:07:19,398 Speaker 1: amazing the list, the legendary names, the Josh Kibson's, Larry Adobes, Cool, 138 00:07:19,438 --> 00:07:21,958 Speaker 1: Papa Bell. Let's go back. You mentioned it opened in 139 00:07:22,078 --> 00:07:24,518 Speaker 1: nineteen thirty two. The first sporting event was a game 140 00:07:24,558 --> 00:07:27,198 Speaker 1: between the House of David and the Paterson Pros. They 141 00:07:27,198 --> 00:07:29,918 Speaker 1: played a double header. And the next year is when 142 00:07:30,318 --> 00:07:32,998 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Pirates came to visit. People have to realize back 143 00:07:32,998 --> 00:07:36,678 Speaker 1: in the day, back then, teams would barnstorm and they 144 00:07:36,718 --> 00:07:40,278 Speaker 1: would come through different places. The nineteen thirty four Cardinals 145 00:07:40,318 --> 00:07:42,798 Speaker 1: won the World Series and Dizzy Dean and the Boys 146 00:07:42,878 --> 00:07:45,638 Speaker 1: came to Hinchlift Stadium to play a barnstorm in game 147 00:07:45,838 --> 00:07:48,838 Speaker 1: like ten days after the World Series ended. The first 148 00:07:49,118 --> 00:07:51,918 Speaker 1: Black Negro League World Series, the Black Yankees and the 149 00:07:51,918 --> 00:07:55,238 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Crawfords have played at Hingchlift Stadium. So the history 150 00:07:55,318 --> 00:07:58,398 Speaker 1: here is so rich. And then we haven't even got 151 00:07:58,438 --> 00:08:00,838 Speaker 1: into the fact that they were early NFL games, played 152 00:08:00,838 --> 00:08:05,358 Speaker 1: their auto racing, boxing events, concerts. Joe, we're talking about 153 00:08:05,398 --> 00:08:07,678 Speaker 1: Tower of Power and Slide in the Family Stone by 154 00:08:07,718 --> 00:08:13,238 Speaker 1: the way, Yeah, yeah. And then all of a sudden 155 00:08:14,838 --> 00:08:17,278 Speaker 1: Mayor but you said a place filling a disrepair. I mean, 156 00:08:17,358 --> 00:08:19,638 Speaker 1: let's face it, let's be honest. It was crumbling, it 157 00:08:19,718 --> 00:08:22,478 Speaker 1: was falling apart. There were weeds, I mean for twenty 158 00:08:22,558 --> 00:08:27,838 Speaker 1: five years. So this is really an amazing rebirth. Um. 159 00:08:27,958 --> 00:08:30,518 Speaker 1: But getting back to my original question, you must have 160 00:08:30,558 --> 00:08:32,638 Speaker 1: sold the community on the fact that this is more 161 00:08:32,838 --> 00:08:38,518 Speaker 1: than just historic baseball stadium. This is you know, for 162 00:08:38,638 --> 00:08:40,558 Speaker 1: lack of a better term, kind of a town square 163 00:08:40,598 --> 00:08:43,478 Speaker 1: for the whole community and especially the schools. You're absolutely right, 164 00:08:43,558 --> 00:08:45,318 Speaker 1: and Tom, you were talking about weeds. There were trees 165 00:08:45,398 --> 00:08:49,998 Speaker 1: growing in the stands, so that speaks to the deplorable 166 00:08:50,038 --> 00:08:54,078 Speaker 1: condition that this historic treasure was in. So it wasn't 167 00:08:54,438 --> 00:08:56,358 Speaker 1: necessarily a tough cell. I mean, I did have to 168 00:08:56,438 --> 00:08:59,598 Speaker 1: have town hall meetings to discuss exactly what we're gonna do, 169 00:08:59,678 --> 00:09:01,038 Speaker 1: what we were gonna do, and how we were going 170 00:09:01,078 --> 00:09:03,998 Speaker 1: to do it. And obviously football was played there and 171 00:09:03,998 --> 00:09:07,238 Speaker 1: there's a lot of sentimental value to this field because 172 00:09:07,558 --> 00:09:10,398 Speaker 1: we had a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl game between our 173 00:09:10,438 --> 00:09:14,118 Speaker 1: two comprehensive high schools, Kennedy High School, which was going 174 00:09:14,158 --> 00:09:17,278 Speaker 1: to be known as West Side High School, but when 175 00:09:17,318 --> 00:09:20,038 Speaker 1: it opened in the mid sixties. It had been it 176 00:09:20,038 --> 00:09:23,678 Speaker 1: had happened after President Kennedy was assassinated, So in his 177 00:09:23,758 --> 00:09:26,678 Speaker 1: honor and his memory, I should say we we named 178 00:09:26,718 --> 00:09:28,878 Speaker 1: it after him. And then east Side High School played 179 00:09:28,918 --> 00:09:30,758 Speaker 1: Kennedy High School and east Side made famous by the 180 00:09:30,798 --> 00:09:34,598 Speaker 1: movie That's starring Morgan Freeman his breakout role lean On 181 00:09:34,758 --> 00:09:39,718 Speaker 1: Me as the popular and controversial principle Joe Clark. So 182 00:09:40,158 --> 00:09:45,238 Speaker 1: we were tugging at people's heartstrings, were making that emotional appeal, saying, look, 183 00:09:45,638 --> 00:09:49,798 Speaker 1: we played traditional Thanksgiving football games there. When people graduated 184 00:09:49,798 --> 00:09:53,718 Speaker 1: in Patterson, students graduate, they got their diplomas at hinch 185 00:09:53,758 --> 00:09:57,958 Speaker 1: Lift Stadium, and Abbott and Costello, Luke Costello's from Patterson. 186 00:09:58,158 --> 00:09:59,678 Speaker 1: They're both in the Hall of Fame. By the way, 187 00:09:59,718 --> 00:10:01,958 Speaker 1: they never played in the major leagues, but they're in Cooperstown. 188 00:10:02,238 --> 00:10:06,238 Speaker 1: They performed at hinch Lift Stadium. Who's on first So 189 00:10:06,798 --> 00:10:09,238 Speaker 1: and like I stay before, Duke Ellington performed their nineteen 190 00:10:09,598 --> 00:10:11,518 Speaker 1: one when we have the Great Falls Festival, And I 191 00:10:11,598 --> 00:10:13,918 Speaker 1: might add it's a part of the National Park. There's 192 00:10:13,918 --> 00:10:15,798 Speaker 1: a Great Falls National Park and the Great Falls the 193 00:10:15,798 --> 00:10:20,478 Speaker 1: second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. So that's another 194 00:10:21,238 --> 00:10:25,318 Speaker 1: appealing aspect of that area. So it's within the same footprint. 195 00:10:25,478 --> 00:10:27,718 Speaker 1: You have hinch Lift Stadium and you have the Great Falls, 196 00:10:27,798 --> 00:10:30,798 Speaker 1: so it's gonna be quite a tourist attraction when it's 197 00:10:30,838 --> 00:10:33,758 Speaker 1: all said and done. And we're founded by Alexander Hamilton's, 198 00:10:34,158 --> 00:10:37,758 Speaker 1: who was made popular by the Broadway musical starring linn 199 00:10:37,798 --> 00:10:41,318 Speaker 1: Manuel Miranda, And we're building a visitors center on site 200 00:10:41,398 --> 00:10:44,318 Speaker 1: named for Alexander Hamilton's and a river walk is expected 201 00:10:44,358 --> 00:10:46,678 Speaker 1: to be completed at the Falls by the end of 202 00:10:46,678 --> 00:10:49,358 Speaker 1: the year. So there's a lot of synergy. We're aligning 203 00:10:49,358 --> 00:10:51,998 Speaker 1: our efforts here, the stars are aligning. And you also 204 00:10:52,078 --> 00:10:56,638 Speaker 1: have affordable housing attached to this project, correct, senior citizens 205 00:10:56,718 --> 00:11:00,638 Speaker 1: seventy five units. We have multiple affordable housing projects, but 206 00:11:00,758 --> 00:11:02,998 Speaker 1: on that site there there will be affordable housing for 207 00:11:03,038 --> 00:11:05,358 Speaker 1: senior Sazing know the things that stands out, Yeah, what 208 00:11:05,398 --> 00:11:07,358 Speaker 1: stands out to me is the leadership component. I mean 209 00:11:07,398 --> 00:11:09,598 Speaker 1: that's the one thing. Like Mary, you might be aware 210 00:11:09,598 --> 00:11:11,918 Speaker 1: of this or not, but in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, I'm not 211 00:11:11,958 --> 00:11:13,998 Speaker 1: far from there, That's where I grew up. We have 212 00:11:14,078 --> 00:11:16,558 Speaker 1: something that called the Hazelton Integration Project where we're trying 213 00:11:16,558 --> 00:11:18,878 Speaker 1: to bring together the Hispanic and anglic cultures in my 214 00:11:18,958 --> 00:11:22,118 Speaker 1: hometown and and in general the city itself, there's a 215 00:11:22,118 --> 00:11:26,998 Speaker 1: lot of blight, urban blight. Uh uh. The different neighborhoods 216 00:11:26,998 --> 00:11:29,918 Speaker 1: are really in horrible shape. Back their downtown is not 217 00:11:29,958 --> 00:11:32,198 Speaker 1: what it had been, and we're trying to rebuild all 218 00:11:32,238 --> 00:11:34,518 Speaker 1: this back. But it does take leadership, It takes vision, 219 00:11:34,918 --> 00:11:37,478 Speaker 1: and it takes the ability to just push things through. 220 00:11:38,078 --> 00:11:40,278 Speaker 1: Once you have vision. We all have vision in the 221 00:11:40,438 --> 00:11:42,238 Speaker 1: in some regards, but then you have to have this 222 00:11:42,398 --> 00:11:45,718 Speaker 1: uh stick tutive, this disability to really ramrod stuff through 223 00:11:45,758 --> 00:11:47,918 Speaker 1: and stay with it when everybody tells you know, and 224 00:11:47,958 --> 00:11:51,238 Speaker 1: I'm I bet and I'm sure that on many occasions 225 00:11:51,558 --> 00:11:54,318 Speaker 1: you've been told you're crazy, why you're doing this, It's 226 00:11:54,318 --> 00:11:57,158 Speaker 1: gonna cost too much money. Who's all going to benefit 227 00:11:57,198 --> 00:11:59,438 Speaker 1: from this? But I love the idea that you've included everybody. 228 00:11:59,598 --> 00:12:02,238 Speaker 1: It's not just about sports. It's it's a it's an 229 00:12:02,238 --> 00:12:05,318 Speaker 1: all encompassing community kind of a situation. And I've always 230 00:12:05,318 --> 00:12:07,758 Speaker 1: thought that's the way to do it. Uh include everybody, 231 00:12:07,878 --> 00:12:12,358 Speaker 1: Include everybody from the arts of course of the sports, education, uh, 232 00:12:12,558 --> 00:12:15,798 Speaker 1: local businesses, families, whatever. You have to include everybody to 233 00:12:15,838 --> 00:12:18,478 Speaker 1: really sell something like this, So you know when it 234 00:12:18,558 --> 00:12:20,678 Speaker 1: came to that, because I'm just looking for some lessons myself. 235 00:12:20,678 --> 00:12:23,838 Speaker 1: What was your overarching internal philosophy in regards to how 236 00:12:23,838 --> 00:12:25,558 Speaker 1: do I approach this and how do I sell this 237 00:12:25,678 --> 00:12:29,918 Speaker 1: to the to the people in charge of the funds? Jill. 238 00:12:30,118 --> 00:12:34,158 Speaker 1: As an urban mayor, I'm strategically impatient. One of my 239 00:12:34,158 --> 00:12:36,918 Speaker 1: calling cards is I'm persistent. I ran for mayor in 240 00:12:36,918 --> 00:12:38,798 Speaker 1: two thousand ten, right after I went to rick Woodfield. 241 00:12:38,838 --> 00:12:41,758 Speaker 1: I lost. I ran again. In two thousand fourteen, I lost. 242 00:12:41,878 --> 00:12:45,078 Speaker 1: I ran in two thousand eighteen I finally won. So 243 00:12:45,198 --> 00:12:46,878 Speaker 1: the third time was the charm and if I didn't 244 00:12:46,878 --> 00:12:48,598 Speaker 1: win that third time, it was three strikes and you're out. 245 00:12:49,318 --> 00:12:54,158 Speaker 1: So I know the feeling of pressure. I'm very self aware, 246 00:12:54,918 --> 00:12:58,318 Speaker 1: and I'm like the Rocky Baba over here in Patterson 247 00:12:58,438 --> 00:13:00,158 Speaker 1: and we just, you know, keep getting hit and we 248 00:13:00,358 --> 00:13:03,718 Speaker 1: keep moving forward. That's the most important aspect of it all. 249 00:13:04,158 --> 00:13:07,038 Speaker 1: But I think after all these years, it's like whatever 250 00:13:07,078 --> 00:13:09,078 Speaker 1: we witnessed, my wife and I down in rick wood 251 00:13:09,078 --> 00:13:10,878 Speaker 1: Field were like, look, we want people to see that 252 00:13:10,918 --> 00:13:13,958 Speaker 1: as well. So we put together a presentation and we 253 00:13:13,998 --> 00:13:15,918 Speaker 1: saw them what we showed them, what we thought the 254 00:13:15,918 --> 00:13:19,278 Speaker 1: future would look like not only for hints of stadium, 255 00:13:19,278 --> 00:13:21,638 Speaker 1: but for the city, that it would be a major victory. 256 00:13:21,678 --> 00:13:24,038 Speaker 1: It would be a victory for this country. Think about 257 00:13:24,078 --> 00:13:27,558 Speaker 1: the level of social awareness here in this sky. They 258 00:13:27,598 --> 00:13:30,998 Speaker 1: used the term woke right, So like post George Floyd, 259 00:13:31,158 --> 00:13:34,038 Speaker 1: the murder of George Floyd, people started becoming more conscious 260 00:13:34,038 --> 00:13:37,238 Speaker 1: of race relations in this country. And this stadium speaks 261 00:13:37,278 --> 00:13:39,798 Speaker 1: to that. It speaks to the struggle for social justice 262 00:13:39,798 --> 00:13:42,918 Speaker 1: and civil rights and the scourge of segregation. So why 263 00:13:42,958 --> 00:13:47,638 Speaker 1: not jump on board and and help us become storytellers 264 00:13:47,918 --> 00:13:50,798 Speaker 1: for not only the city, but this country as well. 265 00:13:51,038 --> 00:13:54,278 Speaker 1: We're creating a template for other for other communities to follow. Absolutely, 266 00:13:54,278 --> 00:13:57,078 Speaker 1: there's other places that I know have you know, stadiums 267 00:13:57,158 --> 00:14:00,398 Speaker 1: or places within our community that that they hold near 268 00:14:00,438 --> 00:14:02,838 Speaker 1: and near to the heart that's really fall into disrepair. 269 00:14:03,958 --> 00:14:05,558 Speaker 1: Want to believe that they're going to start coming to 270 00:14:05,558 --> 00:14:07,358 Speaker 1: you and asking you questions, how did you do this? 271 00:14:07,678 --> 00:14:10,558 Speaker 1: And how do we do this? Where does it begin again? 272 00:14:11,078 --> 00:14:13,238 Speaker 1: How did you bring this coalition together? I think that's 273 00:14:13,278 --> 00:14:15,798 Speaker 1: important because I know that's we've been doing in Hazelton. 274 00:14:15,838 --> 00:14:17,918 Speaker 1: It's getting better, It's gotten a lot better. But we 275 00:14:17,958 --> 00:14:19,358 Speaker 1: still have a lot of work to do. And what 276 00:14:19,398 --> 00:14:21,118 Speaker 1: you're doing here and I'm reading about it obviously, and 277 00:14:21,158 --> 00:14:24,678 Speaker 1: I was researching the internet just checking all the videos out. 278 00:14:24,718 --> 00:14:26,798 Speaker 1: It's really impressive and I just watched. You don't know 279 00:14:26,798 --> 00:14:28,678 Speaker 1: how much I really dig what you're doing. Thanks, Joe, 280 00:14:28,718 --> 00:14:31,318 Speaker 1: I dig it too. And I will tell you we 281 00:14:31,358 --> 00:14:33,678 Speaker 1: have one of the largest Dominican parades in the area 282 00:14:33,798 --> 00:14:35,438 Speaker 1: and a lot of people from Hazelton. Come. You have 283 00:14:35,438 --> 00:14:38,918 Speaker 1: a large Dominican population over there in huge absolutely an 284 00:14:38,918 --> 00:14:43,238 Speaker 1: hour way outside of Patterson and Joe, you gotta expect 285 00:14:43,238 --> 00:14:45,718 Speaker 1: and Tom too, You're gonna I'm gonna extend an invitation 286 00:14:45,718 --> 00:14:47,478 Speaker 1: to my office. I'd love to host. I'll be honored 287 00:14:47,478 --> 00:14:49,158 Speaker 1: to host you guys here when I get back East. 288 00:14:49,158 --> 00:14:51,358 Speaker 1: I'm definitely gonna do that because once it's first of all, 289 00:14:51,358 --> 00:14:56,118 Speaker 1: the weather's got a break, Yeah, it will. Well. Well, look, look, 290 00:14:56,558 --> 00:14:59,318 Speaker 1: we have a date of April fourteen for the grand opening, 291 00:14:59,598 --> 00:15:01,198 Speaker 1: and we're going all out for this one. And we 292 00:15:01,318 --> 00:15:04,158 Speaker 1: picked up for fourteen for two reasons. April fift this 293 00:15:04,158 --> 00:15:06,758 Speaker 1: when Jackie Robinson broke the color bearer. Fourteen is the 294 00:15:06,838 --> 00:15:11,358 Speaker 1: number that Larry Dobe war with Cleveland. So we're paying 295 00:15:11,598 --> 00:15:15,998 Speaker 1: homage to two legends in one day. That is awesome. 296 00:15:16,158 --> 00:15:18,678 Speaker 1: Let's do this. Hey, we're gonna take a quick break. 297 00:15:18,798 --> 00:15:21,558 Speaker 1: We get back. There's more to talk about. With Mayor 298 00:15:21,638 --> 00:15:35,318 Speaker 1: dre and Paterson, New Jersey. Welcome back to the Book 299 00:15:35,358 --> 00:15:39,158 Speaker 1: of Joe Podcasts. We are with the mayor of Paterson, 300 00:15:39,278 --> 00:15:42,918 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Andrea say In. Andre, I want you to 301 00:15:42,918 --> 00:15:45,038 Speaker 1: give people an idea. You've touched on this a little 302 00:15:45,078 --> 00:15:48,278 Speaker 1: bit about the city of Patterson. You mentioned it's grand history, 303 00:15:48,318 --> 00:15:52,318 Speaker 1: Alexander Hamilton's looks at those falls and started what was 304 00:15:52,438 --> 00:15:55,638 Speaker 1: the first planned industrial city in this country back in 305 00:15:55,678 --> 00:15:58,918 Speaker 1: the eighteenth century. And as Joe mentioned, it's kind of 306 00:15:58,918 --> 00:16:02,558 Speaker 1: like Hazelton, Pennsylvania. It is a true melting pot when 307 00:16:02,558 --> 00:16:04,438 Speaker 1: you think about you are a city of a hundred 308 00:16:04,438 --> 00:16:09,238 Speaker 1: and sixty thousand people and many many immigrants, Hispanic population, Turkey, 309 00:16:09,318 --> 00:16:12,838 Speaker 1: South Asia. Uh. You are the first Arab American mayor 310 00:16:12,838 --> 00:16:15,078 Speaker 1: of the city. I know there's a large Arab population 311 00:16:15,118 --> 00:16:17,998 Speaker 1: in your city. So give me an idea for people 312 00:16:17,998 --> 00:16:20,758 Speaker 1: who are not familiar with Patterson. And I'm sure you 313 00:16:20,798 --> 00:16:23,438 Speaker 1: have the challenges many urban cities have these days, and 314 00:16:23,438 --> 00:16:25,638 Speaker 1: what the city is like and where it's going these days. 315 00:16:25,878 --> 00:16:29,638 Speaker 1: Thanks Tom. Yeah. And according to Star Ledger, there was 316 00:16:30,398 --> 00:16:33,638 Speaker 1: article that said Patterson is the most diverse city in 317 00:16:33,678 --> 00:16:35,798 Speaker 1: the state of New Jersey. And we can make an 318 00:16:35,878 --> 00:16:37,718 Speaker 1: argument you say we're hundred and sixty thousand. I think 319 00:16:37,758 --> 00:16:39,278 Speaker 1: there's more than that. But we fought hard in the 320 00:16:39,318 --> 00:16:41,918 Speaker 1: last sense is to try to get as a complete 321 00:16:41,918 --> 00:16:44,158 Speaker 1: and accurate count as we can. We can make an 322 00:16:44,198 --> 00:16:46,998 Speaker 1: argument like we're like a microcosm of this country, more 323 00:16:47,038 --> 00:16:49,558 Speaker 1: like a microcrossum New York. We're like twenty miles outside 324 00:16:49,598 --> 00:16:53,678 Speaker 1: of Manhattan. And what we're trying to do here is 325 00:16:53,798 --> 00:16:56,998 Speaker 1: rewrite the narrative, and we need co authors. Joe, you 326 00:16:57,078 --> 00:17:00,478 Speaker 1: keep emphasizing like it's a total team effort, which is true. 327 00:17:01,078 --> 00:17:03,038 Speaker 1: Every time I see our governor, I tell him, Lick, 328 00:17:03,198 --> 00:17:05,278 Speaker 1: you're a cooker. Are right in this new narrative when 329 00:17:05,278 --> 00:17:07,638 Speaker 1: I see both of our United States Senators are congressman, 330 00:17:08,278 --> 00:17:11,878 Speaker 1: every elected official on every level is invested in this. 331 00:17:12,558 --> 00:17:18,118 Speaker 1: I'd say transformative, catalytic project because it essentially puts Patterson 332 00:17:18,398 --> 00:17:21,038 Speaker 1: back on the map. I talked about lean on me 333 00:17:21,238 --> 00:17:22,678 Speaker 1: when I when I go outside of town, and I 334 00:17:22,678 --> 00:17:25,758 Speaker 1: do often, I try to promote Patterson. I'm the cheerleader 335 00:17:25,798 --> 00:17:28,238 Speaker 1: in chief. I bring my Patterson pomp pomps and it, Oh, 336 00:17:28,278 --> 00:17:30,238 Speaker 1: what's Patterson? They misspell at all time. It's a pet 337 00:17:30,238 --> 00:17:33,798 Speaker 1: peeve that spelled one Patterson. Lean on Me. A Hurricane 338 00:17:33,918 --> 00:17:37,798 Speaker 1: starring Denzel Washington was about a middleweight contender from Patterson, 339 00:17:37,878 --> 00:17:40,198 Speaker 1: New Jersey. If you watch it again, and obviously I 340 00:17:40,478 --> 00:17:44,318 Speaker 1: mentioned Alexander Hamilton's Lou Costello, very prominent paterson Ian's. There 341 00:17:44,358 --> 00:17:46,918 Speaker 1: was actually a movie starring Adam Driver where he played 342 00:17:46,958 --> 00:17:49,478 Speaker 1: a bus driver from Patterson who wrote poems at the 343 00:17:49,478 --> 00:17:52,958 Speaker 1: Great Falls about Patterson that was released in two thousand seventeen. 344 00:17:53,558 --> 00:17:56,278 Speaker 1: So I want people to see the other side of 345 00:17:56,318 --> 00:17:58,558 Speaker 1: Patterson because very often you can get caught up in 346 00:17:58,598 --> 00:18:02,998 Speaker 1: the negative headlines, whether it's gun violence or if it's 347 00:18:03,318 --> 00:18:05,678 Speaker 1: Patterson b a destination for the wrong reasons. And when 348 00:18:05,678 --> 00:18:08,958 Speaker 1: I say wrong reasons, I mean the opioid epidemic that 349 00:18:08,998 --> 00:18:12,078 Speaker 1: many cities are struggling with across this country. Well, I 350 00:18:12,118 --> 00:18:14,318 Speaker 1: want to point out you. I think Joe, you mentioned 351 00:18:14,318 --> 00:18:18,638 Speaker 1: this or mayor mentioned this. There is a national park there, right, 352 00:18:18,718 --> 00:18:21,718 Speaker 1: the Great Falls, and right, I'm not sure when your 353 00:18:21,758 --> 00:18:24,038 Speaker 1: first baseball game is. But I do know the New 354 00:18:24,078 --> 00:18:28,438 Speaker 1: Jersey Jackals, a minor league team, are moving intension of stadium, 355 00:18:28,478 --> 00:18:30,798 Speaker 1: and when they play their first game there, that will be, 356 00:18:30,838 --> 00:18:36,518 Speaker 1: from my understanding, the first baseball game played entirely inside 357 00:18:36,678 --> 00:18:38,998 Speaker 1: a National park. You've got a lot going on in 358 00:18:39,078 --> 00:18:42,638 Speaker 1: that small area. It's true. It is the only ballpark 359 00:18:42,758 --> 00:18:45,798 Speaker 1: within a National park. So we're looking forward to the 360 00:18:45,798 --> 00:18:48,278 Speaker 1: New Jersey Jackals. After twenty five years of playing in 361 00:18:48,278 --> 00:18:50,518 Speaker 1: little falls in my family and I went and saw them. 362 00:18:50,678 --> 00:18:53,598 Speaker 1: We enjoyed it. We're looking forward to the Jackals coming 363 00:18:53,598 --> 00:18:57,318 Speaker 1: to Patterson. Their general manager played for the Mets, Bobby Jones, 364 00:18:58,158 --> 00:19:01,158 Speaker 1: and he's gonna holst clinics. He's gonna holt clinics and 365 00:19:01,238 --> 00:19:03,398 Speaker 1: pass it. We want to encourage our youth to play baseball. 366 00:19:03,398 --> 00:19:05,478 Speaker 1: Baseball is not as popular as it once was. I 367 00:19:05,598 --> 00:19:09,518 Speaker 1: just finished reading Cleon Jones book, and he said, like 368 00:19:09,718 --> 00:19:13,398 Speaker 1: when he was growing up in Alabama, he said that, look, 369 00:19:13,438 --> 00:19:15,398 Speaker 1: anybody could play baseball. Right. You didn't have to be 370 00:19:15,438 --> 00:19:17,758 Speaker 1: six ft eight, You didn't have to be two d 371 00:19:17,918 --> 00:19:20,438 Speaker 1: and fifty pounds of solid muscle or whatever it may be. 372 00:19:21,118 --> 00:19:23,438 Speaker 1: You could be not as tall, all right. You could 373 00:19:23,438 --> 00:19:29,438 Speaker 1: be diminutively challenged or vertically challenged. You could be heavy, 374 00:19:29,678 --> 00:19:32,798 Speaker 1: horizontally challenged. You could be anything and still play baseball. 375 00:19:33,278 --> 00:19:37,878 Speaker 1: So I wanna emphasize that when when the Jackals comment, 376 00:19:37,918 --> 00:19:41,318 Speaker 1: when Bobby Jones has those clinics for our community regarding 377 00:19:41,358 --> 00:19:43,358 Speaker 1: the field itself there, I mean that's because you know 378 00:19:43,478 --> 00:19:46,998 Speaker 1: the configuration of the field. You still have the horseshoe configuration. Yeah, 379 00:19:47,198 --> 00:19:48,838 Speaker 1: is that? So how how you in to set up 380 00:19:48,838 --> 00:19:51,238 Speaker 1: the baseball I'm just curious because you know that the 381 00:19:51,318 --> 00:19:53,158 Speaker 1: lines can tend to be shorter, did you guys? I'm 382 00:19:53,158 --> 00:19:55,158 Speaker 1: sure you guys figured something out with that, just a 383 00:19:55,158 --> 00:19:59,078 Speaker 1: curiosity factor. Yeah, the necessary adjustments for the Jackals. We've 384 00:19:59,078 --> 00:20:01,478 Speaker 1: already agreed to that. And one goal that we have, 385 00:20:01,798 --> 00:20:04,038 Speaker 1: and I've spoken to Harrold Reynolds extensively because he was 386 00:20:04,078 --> 00:20:08,278 Speaker 1: a Montclair one goal that we have is we want 387 00:20:08,318 --> 00:20:11,518 Speaker 1: that MLB Field of Dreams game in Patterson. They played 388 00:20:11,518 --> 00:20:13,918 Speaker 1: in Iowa and again no knock, but it was a movie. 389 00:20:13,958 --> 00:20:16,038 Speaker 1: That's a movie set. This is a real field, a 390 00:20:16,078 --> 00:20:19,558 Speaker 1: real field of dreams. So I can anticipate potentially having 391 00:20:19,598 --> 00:20:21,758 Speaker 1: the Mets play the other team from New York at 392 00:20:21,838 --> 00:20:24,718 Speaker 1: Hinchliff Stadium to be pretty groovy, man. Absolutely, I forgot 393 00:20:24,718 --> 00:20:27,398 Speaker 1: the name of the other thing. How great would that be? 394 00:20:27,558 --> 00:20:31,758 Speaker 1: From my understanding is the field is oriented towards the 395 00:20:31,798 --> 00:20:35,358 Speaker 1: open end of the horseshoe, and that you could have 396 00:20:35,478 --> 00:20:38,838 Speaker 1: and will be sort of a portable, movable outfield fence, 397 00:20:38,878 --> 00:20:40,718 Speaker 1: because let's face it, you're going to have other events. 398 00:20:40,758 --> 00:20:44,918 Speaker 1: They're correct, you will be able to play football games. Yes, Tom, 399 00:20:44,558 --> 00:20:47,118 Speaker 1: I'm sorry turning it rup. I didn't mention like we'd 400 00:20:47,118 --> 00:20:51,438 Speaker 1: love to have boxing there again, UFC. I'm sure, w 401 00:20:51,438 --> 00:20:53,558 Speaker 1: w E why not like a Monday night row like 402 00:20:53,598 --> 00:20:56,598 Speaker 1: a paid per view and Patterson, Sure, I'll get in 403 00:20:56,598 --> 00:21:03,118 Speaker 1: there with some of my political rivals age match. That's awesome, brother, 404 00:21:03,438 --> 00:21:06,918 Speaker 1: We'll get there for charity. I'll wrestle thunder Lips. You 405 00:21:06,958 --> 00:21:09,558 Speaker 1: know we do uh Mayor we do this in Pennsylvania. 406 00:21:09,598 --> 00:21:11,638 Speaker 1: We we had our and even in Chicago, I was 407 00:21:11,678 --> 00:21:14,678 Speaker 1: with the Cubs. Uh, my wife Jay and I did 408 00:21:14,718 --> 00:21:17,718 Speaker 1: something with the Chicago Youth Boxing and the Crushers Club 409 00:21:17,718 --> 00:21:20,518 Speaker 1: in the South Side of Chicago. The youth boxing component 410 00:21:20,558 --> 00:21:23,278 Speaker 1: also is very prominent. Um. It's you know, it's an 411 00:21:23,318 --> 00:21:25,878 Speaker 1: inexpensive way for these kids to get off the streets 412 00:21:25,918 --> 00:21:29,558 Speaker 1: and and learn, learn some discipline quite frankly, and show 413 00:21:29,638 --> 00:21:32,598 Speaker 1: up on time for a particular event. Um. Then you 414 00:21:32,598 --> 00:21:34,798 Speaker 1: start getting families involved in friends they come on out 415 00:21:34,798 --> 00:21:39,198 Speaker 1: and watch their their friends box. Um. Actually just standing 416 00:21:39,198 --> 00:21:41,198 Speaker 1: in the ring when we were doing this event in Chicago, 417 00:21:41,198 --> 00:21:42,958 Speaker 1: getting up in the ring, getting over the ropes, getting 418 00:21:42,958 --> 00:21:44,438 Speaker 1: in there, and then all of a sudden, you see, Wow, 419 00:21:44,638 --> 00:21:47,398 Speaker 1: I'm in this little combined area. There's nowhere to runners, 420 00:21:47,438 --> 00:21:50,038 Speaker 1: nowhere to hide right here. It's really an interesting concept 421 00:21:50,358 --> 00:21:52,998 Speaker 1: to box. But I've always thought I'd like to see 422 00:21:53,118 --> 00:21:56,438 Speaker 1: a resurgence and and resurgence and youth boxing. It's something 423 00:21:56,478 --> 00:21:59,158 Speaker 1: we were very very successful with the Chicago raised a 424 00:21:59,158 --> 00:22:01,638 Speaker 1: lot of money for those programs out there, and actually 425 00:22:01,638 --> 00:22:03,478 Speaker 1: we're gonna we were gonna do it in California to 426 00:22:03,598 --> 00:22:06,718 Speaker 1: until I got let go a little quickly out there, 427 00:22:06,758 --> 00:22:10,918 Speaker 1: so I never really transpired that. But but it's um, 428 00:22:11,038 --> 00:22:13,478 Speaker 1: I really, I really, I really think there's a lot there. 429 00:22:13,518 --> 00:22:15,798 Speaker 1: I mean, the the old Golden Gloves back in the day, 430 00:22:15,798 --> 00:22:17,878 Speaker 1: how popular they were in New York City. Even as 431 00:22:17,918 --> 00:22:19,598 Speaker 1: a kid, I would follow that in the daily news, 432 00:22:19,598 --> 00:22:22,678 Speaker 1: in the post on a daily basis whenever the Golden 433 00:22:22,678 --> 00:22:26,638 Speaker 1: Gloves were actually being fought. I just think that we're 434 00:22:26,678 --> 00:22:28,798 Speaker 1: missing out something there with youth boxing. It doesn't have 435 00:22:28,838 --> 00:22:32,998 Speaker 1: to be professional boxing, all these different items that cater 436 00:22:33,078 --> 00:22:36,878 Speaker 1: to the youth program, youth sports. Um, that's that's the 437 00:22:36,918 --> 00:22:38,438 Speaker 1: part to me that the more we could get on 438 00:22:38,478 --> 00:22:41,278 Speaker 1: board with that, that's really gonna make some inroads into 439 00:22:41,278 --> 00:22:44,358 Speaker 1: the future and really start raising some good citizens. You know, 440 00:22:44,398 --> 00:22:46,918 Speaker 1: Joe's insuing you point that out. Boxing was like my 441 00:22:46,998 --> 00:22:49,798 Speaker 1: first favorite sport, and when I can't sleep at night, 442 00:22:49,798 --> 00:22:52,798 Speaker 1: I just watched heavyweight bouts from the seventies. I was 443 00:22:52,838 --> 00:22:57,118 Speaker 1: watching ron Lyle versus George Foreman, the only winning times, 444 00:22:57,158 --> 00:23:00,958 Speaker 1: and I watched them all. I watched Alive versus Chuck 445 00:23:00,998 --> 00:23:03,678 Speaker 1: Webner because I got to watch all the Rocky movies 446 00:23:03,758 --> 00:23:05,998 Speaker 1: and said, this is the real Rocky. Here the Bayone 447 00:23:06,118 --> 00:23:08,518 Speaker 1: Leader from New Jersey, I might add, So we want 448 00:23:08,518 --> 00:23:11,678 Speaker 1: the diamond gloves in Patterson, we want them all. If 449 00:23:11,718 --> 00:23:14,918 Speaker 1: Evander Holeyfield wants to fight Riddick Both for the fourth time, 450 00:23:15,358 --> 00:23:17,998 Speaker 1: let's do it, Patterson. Let's go. Mike Tyson, you want 451 00:23:17,998 --> 00:23:21,078 Speaker 1: to fight my ear please? I got too, so Mayor, 452 00:23:21,198 --> 00:23:23,438 Speaker 1: how do you, how do you anticipate usage of the 453 00:23:23,478 --> 00:23:25,598 Speaker 1: stadium when it does open in terms of how many 454 00:23:25,678 --> 00:23:28,718 Speaker 1: days the schools get to use at, how many private events, 455 00:23:28,758 --> 00:23:31,638 Speaker 1: how many baseball games, that kind of usage. So demand 456 00:23:31,718 --> 00:23:33,518 Speaker 1: is gonna be very high. But we have an agreement 457 00:23:33,558 --> 00:23:35,478 Speaker 1: with the school district that the children will have the 458 00:23:35,518 --> 00:23:37,318 Speaker 1: students will have it for a hundred and eighty days 459 00:23:37,358 --> 00:23:40,398 Speaker 1: and that will include the Turkey Bowl game on Thanksgiving 460 00:23:40,438 --> 00:23:43,798 Speaker 1: between east Side and Kennedy. That will include graduations. And 461 00:23:43,798 --> 00:23:47,118 Speaker 1: we're also getting school colleges that say we want our 462 00:23:47,118 --> 00:23:49,558 Speaker 1: graduation Hinchlip as well. And I got a point out. 463 00:23:49,558 --> 00:23:52,638 Speaker 1: We have a partner in Montclair State University and their 464 00:23:52,918 --> 00:23:56,838 Speaker 1: visionary and enlightened leader, their president, Dr. Jonathan Copel, who 465 00:23:56,878 --> 00:24:01,798 Speaker 1: actually reached out to an alumnus, a benefactor or a 466 00:24:01,798 --> 00:24:05,318 Speaker 1: potential benefactor who was from Patterson and graduated from that college, 467 00:24:05,358 --> 00:24:08,998 Speaker 1: Montclair State University, and so magnanimous that he donated five 468 00:24:09,078 --> 00:24:11,958 Speaker 1: million dollars to the museum that we're going to have 469 00:24:12,198 --> 00:24:16,038 Speaker 1: here in Patterson, the one I alluded to earlier. Yeah, 470 00:24:15,878 --> 00:24:18,918 Speaker 1: that is awesome. That's nothing like telling the history and 471 00:24:19,358 --> 00:24:22,918 Speaker 1: people this generation, all of us should always be reminded 472 00:24:22,958 --> 00:24:26,278 Speaker 1: of those who came before us. By the way, when 473 00:24:26,318 --> 00:24:29,398 Speaker 1: the stadium does open, I will be looking for the 474 00:24:29,438 --> 00:24:34,278 Speaker 1: plaque that acknowledges that I played at Hingeblood Stadium, and 475 00:24:34,318 --> 00:24:38,638 Speaker 1: I did for Seton Hall Prep football game nineteen seventy 476 00:24:38,718 --> 00:24:41,358 Speaker 1: six against Paterson East Side in that ballpark. So I 477 00:24:41,438 --> 00:24:44,998 Speaker 1: will look for that bronze plaque. Okay, did you win? 478 00:24:45,238 --> 00:24:48,038 Speaker 1: Of course we won undefeated and never one team in 479 00:24:48,078 --> 00:24:50,678 Speaker 1: the state state champions Seton Hall Prep. And I have 480 00:24:50,718 --> 00:24:52,958 Speaker 1: to do that because I went to Seton Hall University, 481 00:24:52,998 --> 00:24:55,798 Speaker 1: where in full disclosure, I was a history major. Tommy, 482 00:24:55,838 --> 00:24:57,758 Speaker 1: out of all the things you've ever accomplished, that to 483 00:24:57,798 --> 00:25:00,318 Speaker 1: me is the most impressive that I've heard to this point. 484 00:25:00,398 --> 00:25:11,398 Speaker 1: Well done, well done, great well. I peaked at seventeen. Hey, 485 00:25:11,398 --> 00:25:14,398 Speaker 1: we're gonna take another quick break. We'll come back with more. 486 00:25:14,838 --> 00:25:27,278 Speaker 1: Let's stick around. Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast, 487 00:25:27,398 --> 00:25:29,998 Speaker 1: said Mayor Dre. We're gonna include you in a little 488 00:25:30,038 --> 00:25:32,278 Speaker 1: segment we like to do with our guests. It is 489 00:25:32,318 --> 00:25:38,518 Speaker 1: called a reading from the Book of Joe. Of course, 490 00:25:38,518 --> 00:25:42,118 Speaker 1: it's based on our book, the Book of Joe, And 491 00:25:42,318 --> 00:25:44,158 Speaker 1: what we have is we have our guests pick a 492 00:25:44,318 --> 00:25:47,038 Speaker 1: number between one and three d and sixty eight the 493 00:25:47,118 --> 00:25:48,998 Speaker 1: number of pages in the book, because we believe no 494 00:25:49,038 --> 00:25:51,318 Speaker 1: matter where you crack open the book, you will find 495 00:25:51,318 --> 00:25:54,918 Speaker 1: an interesting anecdote, piece of advice, story, whatever it may be. 496 00:25:55,478 --> 00:25:58,718 Speaker 1: So the honor now is yours, Mr Mayor, to pick 497 00:25:58,758 --> 00:26:00,958 Speaker 1: a number, and we will go to that page in 498 00:26:00,958 --> 00:26:03,838 Speaker 1: the book. I'm going to choose fourteen for obvious reason. 499 00:26:03,998 --> 00:26:08,158 Speaker 1: Is Larry Dobe Paterson, New Jersey integrated the American League 500 00:26:08,358 --> 00:26:11,718 Speaker 1: with the then Cleveland Indians. Very nice? What are you 501 00:26:11,758 --> 00:26:16,238 Speaker 1: gonna learn about Joe's background? A little bit here? Oh Joe, 502 00:26:16,318 --> 00:26:18,718 Speaker 1: this is about This is about the one of the 503 00:26:18,758 --> 00:26:22,318 Speaker 1: more influential people in your life. And you don't even 504 00:26:22,318 --> 00:26:25,038 Speaker 1: know the woman's name to this day, I don't believe, right, 505 00:26:25,078 --> 00:26:28,238 Speaker 1: I don't he sitting on a plane when he was 506 00:26:28,278 --> 00:26:30,518 Speaker 1: feeling down in the dubs? What happened? You gotta passed 507 00:26:30,518 --> 00:26:32,878 Speaker 1: over for a job, correct? I did? Um. I had 508 00:26:32,918 --> 00:26:35,078 Speaker 1: been running the minor league system for the Angels from 509 00:26:35,118 --> 00:26:39,718 Speaker 1: pretty much until this to that particular moment, was in 510 00:26:39,798 --> 00:26:42,758 Speaker 1: charge of everything. I was setting up the programs and 511 00:26:42,798 --> 00:26:45,798 Speaker 1: eventually there was an opening on the major league staff, 512 00:26:45,838 --> 00:26:48,678 Speaker 1: and uh I was I really thought I should have 513 00:26:48,718 --> 00:26:51,478 Speaker 1: gotten and I did not, And um, I really stepped 514 00:26:51,478 --> 00:26:54,278 Speaker 1: out of character at that point. I never really had 515 00:26:54,358 --> 00:26:57,038 Speaker 1: thought of quitting anything up to that point. I was 516 00:26:57,078 --> 00:27:00,038 Speaker 1: that angry. I thought it was unfair, unjust all the 517 00:27:00,078 --> 00:27:02,678 Speaker 1: different things we all think when you get passed over 518 00:27:02,678 --> 00:27:05,478 Speaker 1: in a situation. So, uh not not a good guy 519 00:27:05,518 --> 00:27:08,758 Speaker 1: at that point, was really not myself and uh having 520 00:27:08,798 --> 00:27:12,038 Speaker 1: a hard time just reporting the ballparks, which is absolutely 521 00:27:12,078 --> 00:27:14,318 Speaker 1: insane for me to say that. Yeah. So Joe is 522 00:27:14,358 --> 00:27:17,998 Speaker 1: on a airplane in the middle seat and he puts 523 00:27:17,998 --> 00:27:20,398 Speaker 1: his headphones on, trying to cut himself off from the 524 00:27:20,438 --> 00:27:22,718 Speaker 1: rest of the world. He's got a chatty woman next 525 00:27:22,758 --> 00:27:24,598 Speaker 1: to him. We've all been there, right when you want 526 00:27:24,598 --> 00:27:26,998 Speaker 1: to be quiet and something. He wants to talk but anyway, 527 00:27:27,798 --> 00:27:29,718 Speaker 1: she all of a sudden has a piece of advice 528 00:27:29,758 --> 00:27:32,718 Speaker 1: that strikes him like a bolt of lightning. He says, 529 00:27:32,758 --> 00:27:36,518 Speaker 1: can you repeat that? Please? Sure? She said, Remember one thing, 530 00:27:37,238 --> 00:27:39,918 Speaker 1: whatever you put out there comes back to you. If 531 00:27:39,918 --> 00:27:42,718 Speaker 1: you put out positive vibes, you're going to get positive 532 00:27:42,798 --> 00:27:46,118 Speaker 1: vibes in return. If you put out negative vibes, you're 533 00:27:46,118 --> 00:27:49,758 Speaker 1: going to get negative vibes in return. Madden smiled for 534 00:27:49,838 --> 00:27:52,758 Speaker 1: one of the few times and months the words cut 535 00:27:52,838 --> 00:27:55,998 Speaker 1: right to his soul. Damn, you talk about a moment 536 00:27:55,998 --> 00:27:58,718 Speaker 1: in your life when the power of the words overwhelms you. 537 00:27:58,838 --> 00:28:01,718 Speaker 1: He says, here is this person. I never saw it before, 538 00:28:01,758 --> 00:28:04,478 Speaker 1: I never saw again after that. I could not have 539 00:28:04,558 --> 00:28:06,918 Speaker 1: been in a worse mood. And then she said that, 540 00:28:07,158 --> 00:28:09,518 Speaker 1: and I could not have been in a better mood. 541 00:28:09,718 --> 00:28:12,358 Speaker 1: I got off that airplane, got my rental car, checked 542 00:28:12,358 --> 00:28:14,598 Speaker 1: into the hotel, and went to the ballpark at Midland. 543 00:28:15,038 --> 00:28:17,638 Speaker 1: I walked into that ballpark with all the energy I 544 00:28:17,718 --> 00:28:21,478 Speaker 1: ever had in my life. I've found myself again with 545 00:28:21,518 --> 00:28:24,998 Speaker 1: me and had always been about a positive message, but 546 00:28:25,078 --> 00:28:27,238 Speaker 1: I had lost that. I went to the ballpark in 547 00:28:27,318 --> 00:28:29,558 Speaker 1: Midland that day knowing that if I got back to 548 00:28:29,638 --> 00:28:32,358 Speaker 1: what I had always been, which was to be a 549 00:28:32,398 --> 00:28:36,518 Speaker 1: positive influence, that by throwing out positive vibes to everyone 550 00:28:36,558 --> 00:28:39,558 Speaker 1: around me, that's what I'm going to get in return. 551 00:28:40,358 --> 00:28:42,518 Speaker 1: Madden has been shaped by the lessons and wisdom of 552 00:28:42,558 --> 00:28:45,878 Speaker 1: great leaders throughout his life, especially in his formative years, 553 00:28:46,318 --> 00:28:48,758 Speaker 1: and began with his parents and we go on from there. 554 00:28:48,758 --> 00:28:52,478 Speaker 1: But it's an appropriate message, I think Joe, especially for 555 00:28:52,518 --> 00:28:58,118 Speaker 1: this episode where positivity brings results. It almost sounds like 556 00:28:58,118 --> 00:29:00,878 Speaker 1: a scene out of City Slickers, which I just watched recently, 557 00:29:01,358 --> 00:29:04,758 Speaker 1: Jack Palance from Hazelton, when when Billy Crystal heads out 558 00:29:04,758 --> 00:29:06,878 Speaker 1: west of the Dude Ranch and all of a sudden, 559 00:29:06,918 --> 00:29:09,358 Speaker 1: you have this epiphany and everything just seems to change. 560 00:29:09,718 --> 00:29:13,518 Speaker 1: It's true, man, because you're recapping, recounting that, reading all that. 561 00:29:13,998 --> 00:29:17,438 Speaker 1: I'm just sitting here thinking exactly like in that particular moment, 562 00:29:18,078 --> 00:29:22,038 Speaker 1: and and how quickly I did change my attitude, and 563 00:29:22,078 --> 00:29:25,758 Speaker 1: also how I used that um in future moments where 564 00:29:25,758 --> 00:29:27,638 Speaker 1: I was really getting off track a little bit again. 565 00:29:27,678 --> 00:29:30,198 Speaker 1: And I would go back to that one term. I 566 00:29:30,278 --> 00:29:32,638 Speaker 1: use it as advice either to my kids or players, 567 00:29:32,718 --> 00:29:35,158 Speaker 1: or just people that come in contact with that. I 568 00:29:35,198 --> 00:29:37,598 Speaker 1: think maybe I've got a little bit sideways with their 569 00:29:37,638 --> 00:29:40,918 Speaker 1: attitude regarding just whatever. So it's just a real simple thought. 570 00:29:42,038 --> 00:29:44,878 Speaker 1: But she impacted me right between the eyeballs and it 571 00:29:44,998 --> 00:29:47,318 Speaker 1: and it holds true to today. And it's absolutely easy 572 00:29:47,318 --> 00:29:51,118 Speaker 1: and believable, and it's it's it's uh, it's it's not fluffy. 573 00:29:51,158 --> 00:29:53,958 Speaker 1: It's it's really accurate and it and it has a 574 00:29:53,958 --> 00:29:57,438 Speaker 1: lot of substance even though it is doing simple better 575 00:29:57,598 --> 00:29:59,758 Speaker 1: that's what she came down to for me. There. I'm 576 00:29:59,758 --> 00:30:02,878 Speaker 1: not sure if you had a similar epiphany, but how 577 00:30:02,878 --> 00:30:06,238 Speaker 1: about the influences on your life that's shaped your perspective. Yeah, 578 00:30:06,278 --> 00:30:08,158 Speaker 1: so I just want to get back to the City 579 00:30:08,198 --> 00:30:10,638 Speaker 1: Slickers because it should be noted that Billy Crystal war 580 00:30:10,758 --> 00:30:18,238 Speaker 1: Mets had in that movie. Sorry, Yeah, that really resonated 581 00:30:18,238 --> 00:30:19,678 Speaker 1: with me. And the reason why I struck a chord 582 00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:23,398 Speaker 1: is because I subscribe to if you have a positive outlook, 583 00:30:24,318 --> 00:30:27,878 Speaker 1: and that could lead to a positive outcome. So your 584 00:30:27,918 --> 00:30:31,638 Speaker 1: outlook can determine your outcome. And thanks to I have 585 00:30:31,718 --> 00:30:33,758 Speaker 1: to give credit my mother, a single mother raising me 586 00:30:33,878 --> 00:30:37,718 Speaker 1: in the city of Patterson. It wasn't always positive for her, 587 00:30:37,798 --> 00:30:39,678 Speaker 1: but her outlook was, look, I'm gonna make sure I 588 00:30:39,758 --> 00:30:41,998 Speaker 1: raised my son's right and want them to succeed and 589 00:30:41,998 --> 00:30:45,398 Speaker 1: I want them to be productive members of society. And 590 00:30:45,478 --> 00:30:48,598 Speaker 1: so you talked about sticktuitiveness. My mother demonstrated that because 591 00:30:48,598 --> 00:30:50,838 Speaker 1: she was an immigrant from Syria and drove a bus 592 00:30:51,478 --> 00:30:54,878 Speaker 1: and made sure that we were driven, meaning motivated, And 593 00:30:54,958 --> 00:30:57,958 Speaker 1: that's essentially what has motivated me to want to be 594 00:30:58,038 --> 00:31:01,798 Speaker 1: the mayor of Patterson and restore Hinchlift Stadium. So taking 595 00:31:01,838 --> 00:31:05,718 Speaker 1: a positive outlook and turning it into a positive outcome, 596 00:31:05,918 --> 00:31:08,118 Speaker 1: that's beautiful, man. And you just want to you know, 597 00:31:08,238 --> 00:31:10,478 Speaker 1: listening to this whole thing, and you've you've you mentioned 598 00:31:10,478 --> 00:31:15,398 Speaker 1: it earlier in the in the podcast regarding diversity, but energy, 599 00:31:15,478 --> 00:31:19,878 Speaker 1: um is diversity or diversity is energy. The more diverser 600 00:31:19,958 --> 00:31:24,878 Speaker 1: situation may be, the more different perspectives or points or 601 00:31:24,878 --> 00:31:27,598 Speaker 1: opinions that you may be able to generate, it's definitely 602 00:31:27,598 --> 00:31:29,438 Speaker 1: going to add to the genera, to the energy of 603 00:31:29,478 --> 00:31:31,878 Speaker 1: the situation. At the moment, listening to you right now, 604 00:31:31,878 --> 00:31:34,678 Speaker 1: I can understand why you are the position you're in. 605 00:31:34,838 --> 00:31:38,118 Speaker 1: You could lead so many different situations, whether it's a town, 606 00:31:38,118 --> 00:31:42,958 Speaker 1: a city like Patterson, organizations, whether it's a sports organization, 607 00:31:43,038 --> 00:31:46,238 Speaker 1: or just in in the corporate the corporate world. Your 608 00:31:46,398 --> 00:31:49,478 Speaker 1: energy is very infectious and it's sincere. That's that's another 609 00:31:49,478 --> 00:31:54,358 Speaker 1: thing that shows through um, passion, um and sincerity are 610 00:31:54,398 --> 00:31:57,638 Speaker 1: either real or they're not. And I absolutely believe I'm 611 00:31:57,678 --> 00:31:59,558 Speaker 1: talking to a real person right now, and I really 612 00:31:59,598 --> 00:32:01,558 Speaker 1: appreciate that about you. I didn't like I said we did. 613 00:32:01,678 --> 00:32:04,078 Speaker 1: We never met before today, but I can unders then 614 00:32:04,118 --> 00:32:06,838 Speaker 1: while you're meeting with so much success, and I just 615 00:32:07,278 --> 00:32:09,198 Speaker 1: want to wish you so much more success in the future. 616 00:32:09,198 --> 00:32:11,758 Speaker 1: And I'm looking forward to being in your company where 617 00:32:11,758 --> 00:32:13,398 Speaker 1: we could actually talk a little bit one on one 618 00:32:13,438 --> 00:32:16,278 Speaker 1: and hopefully I'll be able to get to Patterson when 619 00:32:16,318 --> 00:32:20,118 Speaker 1: Hinchliff is um rededicated at that point. But it's really 620 00:32:20,118 --> 00:32:22,118 Speaker 1: been a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you, Joe. 621 00:32:22,198 --> 00:32:24,438 Speaker 1: It's an honor to make the both of you. You 622 00:32:24,558 --> 00:32:26,518 Speaker 1: keep point at my energy level. I mean, in addition 623 00:32:26,518 --> 00:32:30,238 Speaker 1: to being highly caffeinated. My daughter so Ja, that's right, 624 00:32:30,278 --> 00:32:33,558 Speaker 1: she's named for Sha Stadium. She didn't finish her frosted flakes, 625 00:32:33,758 --> 00:32:36,358 Speaker 1: so I don't wait. Let anything go awake. This is 626 00:32:36,438 --> 00:32:41,518 Speaker 1: a little bit of sugar in there. Last question for me, Mayor. 627 00:32:41,878 --> 00:32:45,398 Speaker 1: You clearly are a huge baseball fan. You mentioned you've 628 00:32:45,398 --> 00:32:48,318 Speaker 1: been to all thirty ballparks. Where did your love for 629 00:32:48,358 --> 00:32:51,038 Speaker 1: baseball come from? Oh? No, you got me on that one, 630 00:32:51,398 --> 00:32:55,318 Speaker 1: because my first favorite baseball player was Reggie Jackson, and 631 00:32:55,358 --> 00:32:58,398 Speaker 1: I actually did like Rick Serone, So you know where 632 00:32:58,398 --> 00:33:03,558 Speaker 1: I'm this, Like late seventies, I was wearing Yankee paraphernalia. 633 00:33:04,198 --> 00:33:05,838 Speaker 1: And then you want to talk about an epiphany. I 634 00:33:05,838 --> 00:33:07,718 Speaker 1: don't know. I was like, not that I thought I'd 635 00:33:07,718 --> 00:33:09,158 Speaker 1: be the mayor of Patterson, but I think it's a 636 00:33:09,198 --> 00:33:11,198 Speaker 1: prerequisite for anyone who wants to be mayor of any 637 00:33:11,238 --> 00:33:14,038 Speaker 1: town to know what hardship is like. And being Yankee 638 00:33:14,038 --> 00:33:16,358 Speaker 1: fan is not grueling, but being a Mets fan is. 639 00:33:17,158 --> 00:33:20,758 Speaker 1: So something happened in three. I was watching Channel nine 640 00:33:20,798 --> 00:33:23,558 Speaker 1: and I saw Ron Garden Higher That's who I remember, 641 00:33:23,678 --> 00:33:25,758 Speaker 1: and I'm like, Okay, you know he's not the best 642 00:33:25,758 --> 00:33:29,118 Speaker 1: baseball player, but at that moment he performed well, and 643 00:33:29,158 --> 00:33:30,958 Speaker 1: I think I'm gonna be a Mets fan now. And 644 00:33:30,998 --> 00:33:33,838 Speaker 1: I did. And like I stated before, I think that, 645 00:33:34,798 --> 00:33:39,398 Speaker 1: uh was a test of my metal metal to ultimately 646 00:33:39,438 --> 00:33:41,478 Speaker 1: assent to a position where I can serve people in 647 00:33:41,478 --> 00:33:44,918 Speaker 1: this capacity. So yeah, nineteen eight three is when I 648 00:33:44,998 --> 00:33:48,078 Speaker 1: had that lightbulb moment became a Mets fan. But and 649 00:33:48,118 --> 00:33:50,758 Speaker 1: my and my mother, like I said, an immigrant didn't 650 00:33:50,798 --> 00:33:52,598 Speaker 1: know baseball at all, so she didn't know anything about it. 651 00:33:52,838 --> 00:33:55,558 Speaker 1: I was just drawn to it and still am love it. 652 00:33:55,718 --> 00:34:00,798 Speaker 1: That's pretty obvious. Oh wait, hey, hopefay you have any uh, 653 00:34:00,878 --> 00:34:03,838 Speaker 1: I know you still have Jews, Joe if it show, 654 00:34:03,918 --> 00:34:06,238 Speaker 1: I'm in New York, So yeah, if you can give 655 00:34:06,278 --> 00:34:09,518 Speaker 1: Otani a call. That that would be I know that 656 00:34:09,518 --> 00:34:12,558 Speaker 1: wouldn't be tampering, not anymore. I'm not even yeah, I'm 657 00:34:12,558 --> 00:34:16,918 Speaker 1: not subject to that. Listen, he's wonderful, shows outstanding. Um. 658 00:34:16,998 --> 00:34:18,838 Speaker 1: I'm actually doing a little piece helping out with the 659 00:34:18,878 --> 00:34:22,118 Speaker 1: piece about him for some Japanese television right now. I'd 660 00:34:22,598 --> 00:34:25,918 Speaker 1: have a wonderful relationship with him. Still, he is all that, 661 00:34:25,998 --> 00:34:28,638 Speaker 1: he is that kind of a talent. Um. I keep 662 00:34:28,678 --> 00:34:31,998 Speaker 1: looking at reading about the five million dollar player, which 663 00:34:32,038 --> 00:34:34,998 Speaker 1: is probably true because he's two players. He's not one player. 664 00:34:35,358 --> 00:34:38,358 Speaker 1: So whatever, two players, uh, two of the best players 665 00:34:38,678 --> 00:34:40,758 Speaker 1: as a pitcher and a position player are worth That's 666 00:34:40,758 --> 00:34:43,078 Speaker 1: who he is. He is that good and on top 667 00:34:43,118 --> 00:34:45,398 Speaker 1: of that, he's a wonderful person. So we'll see how 668 00:34:45,438 --> 00:34:48,158 Speaker 1: this all plays out. But I'm always pulling for him. Thanks, 669 00:34:48,678 --> 00:34:50,718 Speaker 1: and again, I want to express that. I mean, I'm 670 00:34:50,718 --> 00:34:54,678 Speaker 1: profoundly proud to be here. I'm immensely appreciative of this opportunity. 671 00:34:54,718 --> 00:34:56,918 Speaker 1: I admire both of you and appreciate both of you. 672 00:34:56,998 --> 00:34:59,278 Speaker 1: Thank you, Thank you, well, thank you. This has been 673 00:34:59,278 --> 00:35:01,718 Speaker 1: a real pleasure. I think it's important for people, not 674 00:35:01,798 --> 00:35:03,958 Speaker 1: just in Patterson, that around the country to understand and 675 00:35:04,158 --> 00:35:07,878 Speaker 1: what is happening in that city and looking forward to 676 00:35:08,238 --> 00:35:11,558 Speaker 1: what will be come. I think may the first professional 677 00:35:11,558 --> 00:35:16,558 Speaker 1: baseball game played there since nineteen So congratulations to you 678 00:35:16,598 --> 00:35:20,278 Speaker 1: in your city. All the best of luck in same 679 00:35:20,358 --> 00:35:22,798 Speaker 1: to you happy and healthy new year. Right back at 680 00:35:22,798 --> 00:35:25,038 Speaker 1: your mayor and to your family, please to thank you, 681 00:35:25,238 --> 00:35:28,438 Speaker 1: Thank you well, Joe. I'm catching my breath here after 682 00:35:28,518 --> 00:35:31,958 Speaker 1: that wild fun ride, like I mean usement park ride, 683 00:35:31,998 --> 00:35:34,478 Speaker 1: going back in history and back to today and everything 684 00:35:34,518 --> 00:35:37,398 Speaker 1: being done here in Patterson with Mayor Dre. Let's call 685 00:35:37,638 --> 00:35:40,038 Speaker 1: a cup of energy. Man. But it's already ten o'clock 686 00:35:40,158 --> 00:35:42,238 Speaker 1: or later there. I'm just getting at eight o'clock in 687 00:35:42,238 --> 00:35:46,318 Speaker 1: the morning. You're in Arizona. But really an interesting man. 688 00:35:46,438 --> 00:35:48,758 Speaker 1: I could see why he's leading that city. It could see, 689 00:35:49,518 --> 00:35:52,998 Speaker 1: uh why there he's taken on such a project as 690 00:35:53,038 --> 00:35:55,678 Speaker 1: to revitalize Hinchlift and what that means in the community. 691 00:35:56,198 --> 00:35:57,838 Speaker 1: I can't wait to meet him. I really can't wait 692 00:35:57,878 --> 00:35:59,118 Speaker 1: to meet this guy. This is the kind of guy 693 00:35:59,158 --> 00:36:01,718 Speaker 1: you want to hang out with. Um things happen when 694 00:36:01,758 --> 00:36:05,238 Speaker 1: you're around people like Mayor Dre. So that was really cool, man. 695 00:36:05,318 --> 00:36:07,918 Speaker 1: Thank you for setting the whole thing up. I thought 696 00:36:07,998 --> 00:36:10,918 Speaker 1: was outstanding. Now it's so cool to hear of a 697 00:36:10,958 --> 00:36:15,718 Speaker 1: project like this that involves baseball and really an inner 698 00:36:15,758 --> 00:36:18,638 Speaker 1: city here and in an opportunity. And we talk a 699 00:36:18,638 --> 00:36:21,638 Speaker 1: lot about professional baseball coming back to that stadium for 700 00:36:21,638 --> 00:36:24,918 Speaker 1: the first time since nineteen fifty, but mixed use facility 701 00:36:25,038 --> 00:36:27,158 Speaker 1: that the entire community is going to be able to 702 00:36:27,278 --> 00:36:29,838 Speaker 1: use in baseball is really a big part of that. Absolutely. 703 00:36:29,958 --> 00:36:32,238 Speaker 1: Um And I like you said during the podcast, I 704 00:36:32,278 --> 00:36:34,798 Speaker 1: like I love the idea that he's including other components 705 00:36:34,798 --> 00:36:36,918 Speaker 1: of the city in the community, and it's not just 706 00:36:36,998 --> 00:36:40,278 Speaker 1: based on sports. He's gonna attract everybody to that uh, 707 00:36:40,398 --> 00:36:44,638 Speaker 1: to that place, including graduations, concerts. Uh. They've had, as 708 00:36:44,638 --> 00:36:46,638 Speaker 1: you suggested earlier. I doubt it's gonna happen again. But 709 00:36:47,038 --> 00:36:49,918 Speaker 1: race cards I read about that. That's incredible. They actually 710 00:36:49,958 --> 00:36:52,918 Speaker 1: had car racing in that oval. They're back in the day. Uh. 711 00:36:53,238 --> 00:36:55,678 Speaker 1: It's just Uh, it's one of those places man, that 712 00:36:55,758 --> 00:36:58,198 Speaker 1: when it gets up and running again, the whole the 713 00:36:58,198 --> 00:36:59,998 Speaker 1: whole area is gonna be attracted to it. They're gonna 714 00:37:00,038 --> 00:37:02,238 Speaker 1: be drawn to it. Uh. And then you're gonna start 715 00:37:02,318 --> 00:37:04,998 Speaker 1: the conversation about what had happened there. The past, which 716 00:37:05,038 --> 00:37:08,558 Speaker 1: I think is is absolutely pertinent and wonderful. So again, 717 00:37:08,718 --> 00:37:11,398 Speaker 1: UH props to uh to our mayor man. And like 718 00:37:11,438 --> 00:37:13,158 Speaker 1: I said, hopefully I'll get a chance to get back 719 00:37:13,158 --> 00:37:16,078 Speaker 1: there in April U to go visit in person, because 720 00:37:16,518 --> 00:37:18,518 Speaker 1: really I got to see this. I got to see 721 00:37:18,558 --> 00:37:20,558 Speaker 1: the whole thing in action. Yeah, and it looks really 722 00:37:20,598 --> 00:37:22,918 Speaker 1: cool too, doesn't it. The idea of it began back 723 00:37:22,958 --> 00:37:25,598 Speaker 1: in the nineteen twenties when there was the stadium boom 724 00:37:25,638 --> 00:37:27,438 Speaker 1: going on. And think of it as a kind of 725 00:37:27,438 --> 00:37:30,358 Speaker 1: a mini polo grounds, right with that big horseshoe. Of 726 00:37:30,398 --> 00:37:34,718 Speaker 1: course it's not that big, but our deco, exterior cast concrete, 727 00:37:34,798 --> 00:37:37,238 Speaker 1: it looks really cool. Can't wait to see it. All 728 00:37:37,238 --> 00:37:39,118 Speaker 1: about our deco. But I was really when it read 729 00:37:39,158 --> 00:37:40,758 Speaker 1: it was next to a national park. I'm thinking of 730 00:37:40,838 --> 00:37:43,158 Speaker 1: like Patterson as being this urban area, like there's no 731 00:37:43,558 --> 00:37:45,838 Speaker 1: wooded area around it, but of course Jersey is full 732 00:37:45,838 --> 00:37:48,918 Speaker 1: of it. And then I saw some images on on 733 00:37:48,958 --> 00:37:51,478 Speaker 1: the internet and really cool the way it looks like 734 00:37:51,478 --> 00:37:53,798 Speaker 1: it's on the outer skirts of town there and how 735 00:37:53,838 --> 00:37:56,518 Speaker 1: it does butt up against the wooded area. It's really 736 00:37:56,718 --> 00:38:00,278 Speaker 1: a neat area. Beautiful. Yeah, and maybe maybe some day 737 00:38:00,278 --> 00:38:02,278 Speaker 1: if we want to really dream big a major League 738 00:38:02,278 --> 00:38:05,718 Speaker 1: baseball game, they're a field of Aames game at Hingecliffe Stadium. 739 00:38:05,798 --> 00:38:08,798 Speaker 1: That would be awesome. It would it would absolutely. Joe 740 00:38:08,838 --> 00:38:11,118 Speaker 1: has been a pleasure. You've got something to take us out. Yeah, 741 00:38:11,278 --> 00:38:17,278 Speaker 1: one of a former Major League baseball player African American. Um, 742 00:38:17,398 --> 00:38:19,958 Speaker 1: I thought would be appropriate with the Negro league emphasis. 743 00:38:19,958 --> 00:38:22,838 Speaker 1: But this comes from Rickey Henderson. Actually had a chance. 744 00:38:23,078 --> 00:38:25,118 Speaker 1: It's in the book actually through Ricky Henderson out once 745 00:38:25,158 --> 00:38:27,318 Speaker 1: in the call Lea when he was attempting to break 746 00:38:27,318 --> 00:38:31,438 Speaker 1: the Calli record for stolen basis but then eventually uh 747 00:38:31,518 --> 00:38:33,358 Speaker 1: when the then eventually got me. The next time he 748 00:38:33,438 --> 00:38:36,278 Speaker 1: stole third base and got the record. But I read 749 00:38:36,318 --> 00:38:38,598 Speaker 1: this and this is so Ricky. Um. I thought it 750 00:38:38,598 --> 00:38:41,998 Speaker 1: was outstanding. He said, two thirds of the fans will 751 00:38:42,038 --> 00:38:45,478 Speaker 1: be there to see Ricky, two thirds to see Billy Martin, 752 00:38:46,318 --> 00:38:51,438 Speaker 1: and two thirds to see the Yankees. I don't know 753 00:38:51,478 --> 00:38:55,238 Speaker 1: exactly when he said that, but god, it's so true Ricky. 754 00:38:55,398 --> 00:38:57,638 Speaker 1: I had. I worked with him with the Angels briefly 755 00:38:58,718 --> 00:39:01,398 Speaker 1: when he was at the latter end of his career. Absolutely, 756 00:39:02,078 --> 00:39:03,678 Speaker 1: even when he was like almost forty years old, he 757 00:39:03,718 --> 00:39:05,398 Speaker 1: could deal the base. Do you know he was going? 758 00:39:05,958 --> 00:39:07,918 Speaker 1: You know he's running on this pitch, and know he's going, 759 00:39:07,958 --> 00:39:11,158 Speaker 1: he's gonna. They're paying all the attention to him. Pictures 760 00:39:11,238 --> 00:39:12,758 Speaker 1: quick to the plate and he still beats the throw 761 00:39:12,798 --> 00:39:16,798 Speaker 1: to second base. Unbelievable. One of my favorites. Quick story. 762 00:39:17,158 --> 00:39:21,358 Speaker 1: He was probably forty five, maybe playing independent minor league 763 00:39:21,358 --> 00:39:24,958 Speaker 1: baseball in Newark, New Jersey. And I had known Ricky 764 00:39:25,358 --> 00:39:27,238 Speaker 1: since the eighties, and I went to go see him 765 00:39:27,238 --> 00:39:30,118 Speaker 1: and do a story. And what I found out was 766 00:39:30,158 --> 00:39:33,438 Speaker 1: he was staying in Manhattan and he was paying more 767 00:39:33,758 --> 00:39:36,958 Speaker 1: to rent an apartment in Manhattan than he was getting 768 00:39:36,998 --> 00:39:41,438 Speaker 1: paid to play minor league baseball. He was literally to 769 00:39:41,558 --> 00:39:46,518 Speaker 1: play baseball, independent ball in the minor leagues in his forties. 770 00:39:46,998 --> 00:39:50,118 Speaker 1: That he's such a sweetheart, great guy, Never question his 771 00:39:50,158 --> 00:39:53,118 Speaker 1: love for the game. See you next time, Joe, Thank you, Buddy. 772 00:40:00,078 --> 00:40:02,398 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of I 773 00:40:02,558 --> 00:40:05,878 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. For more podcast from my Heart Radio, visit 774 00:40:05,918 --> 00:40:09,318 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you 775 00:40:09,358 --> 00:40:10,398 Speaker 1: get your podcasts.