From the October 7th 1957 issue of Sports Illustrated:
A fan walked through the bleachers. “Wanna buy a crying towel?” he said. “Buy a set of crying towels.”
There were no other vendors. You couldn’t buy a scorecard in the bleachers. You couldn’t buy a hot dog or coffee. The vendors hadn’t showed up. The concession stand was open, though. You could get a beer. There are two big signs in the Polo Grounds that read: “Have a Knick.” The concession man was selling Ballantine’s.
At 1:32 the public-address announcer said, “Will the guests of the Giants assemble at home plate?” A fan near the third-base boxes snarled, “We’re the guests, you jerks.”
Giant oldtimers formed on the field, and I walked through the park, on this, the last day the Giants were to play baseball in the Polo Grounds. The flags atop the stadium lay dead against their poles. There was no bunting.
Sports Illustrated, a Johnny come lately, sends a member – 10.07.57 – SI Vault
Shannon–thank you for posting this link. Imagine the thrill for me that as I read the story, there was a quote in the piece from my late grandfather, who was once a vendor for Harry M. Stevens–Joseph Canessa. I had no idea he'd been quote in any kind of story.
Oh wow thats cool Kevin! The SI Vault is really really cool.