http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...ERFAN_0922.html

 

He's the team's NO.1 fan

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By JOE CAPOZZI

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Saturday, September 22, 2007

 

MIAMI GARDENS ? Every professional sports team has its cadre of superfans - even the Marlins, who have the lowest attendance in the National League.

 

But the Marlins have one fan who is so dedicated that he aroused the interest of security officials for Major League Baseball and the club.

 

Doug Verga - native New Yorker, South Palm Beach resident and professional musician - has made the Marlins a major part of his life. Even though the Marlins are at risk of finishing with the worst record in baseball, his dedication has not waned.

 

He often greets players at spring training in Jupiter, outside their parking lot at Dolphin Stadium and in the lobby of the team hotel in San Francisco, St. Louis, New York and other cities. He socializes with players after games. He even loans his spare car to the pitching coach.

 

Verga stands out at sparsely attended home games, where he cheers with enthusiasm from within a few rows of the Marlins' dugout.

 

"A lot of people ... think I'm a parent, the father of somebody," said Verga, whom security officials concluded was merely a zealous fan. "Some people think I'm an ex-coach. No, I'm only here as a friend and supporter. That's it."

 

Verga, 51, often is mistaken for a member of the club, even in his blue jeans and sneakers. He wears a game-used helmet given to him by catcher Miguel Olivo and player-issued wristbands he got from Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez and other Marlins.

 

Verga also wears an authentic team jersey with a number that he said was inspired by some praise from the Marlins' first baseman.

 

Verga explains: "One day Mike Jacobs said to me, 'You know, it's great to see you all over the place. It's like you're the 26th man on the team.'

 

"Bingo! I ordered the jersey with 26. Then three days before the jersey was ready, (outfielder Todd) Linden comes in'' and was assigned No. 26.

 

Verga laughed and said, "I tell Linden I had it first.''

 

Unlike most fans, who are ignored by players or kept at a distance, Verga is welcomed by many players.

 

"He has gotten our trust," outfielder Cody Ross said. "He knows everybody in this clubhouse. He has taken a lot of us to dinner. He doesn't ask for autographs. He doesn't hound us for anything. He's just a really good guy."

 

But his constant presence has raised concerns. An MLB source confirmed that its security personnel looked into Verga, as has Marlins security director John Anderson.

 

"The guy is harmless," Anderson said. "He loves baseball and he loves the Marlins.''

 

Anderson said he confronted Verga once when he was inside the players' parking lot without a pass. But pitching coach Rick Kranitz intervened, explaining that they were going out together after a game.

 

Ross said he can understand why team officials might be concerned about a fan having so much contact with their players.

 

"We've always been warned about guys like him, to try to keep your distance, but once you get to know him, he's just a genuine, down-to-earth guy," Ross said.

 

Verga, who is originally from Long Island, said he moved to South Florida about 12 years ago. He plays drums and sings in his own musical group, performing Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett songs for winter tourists. He also operates an entertainment company that books acts for private parties and corporate affairs.

 

"I even tell the guys there's a lot of parallels in what I do and what they do," Verga said. "Bottom line, teamwork. Playing together."

 

Verga said he has been a Marlins fan since 2001 but gained interest after the '05 season.

 

"When they sold off everybody and started from scratch, I kind of wanted to be a part of (it) from the ground up,'' he said. "To see literally nobodies play together the way they did last year and this year, it's wonderful. It's worked out where they've known me as long as they've known each other.''

 

In spring training last year, Verga would chat with then-manager Joe Girardi. At least once, Girardi let Verga stand in the outfield during batting practice to catch fly balls.

 

Verga recalled a conversation with Girardi that encouraged his interest.

 

"Girardi said to me, 'Are you coming to Houston for opening day?''" Verga said. "I said, 'Houston? Joe, that's a little crazy.' He said, 'You go everywhere else. Why not?''''

 

Verga went on the Internet and found reasonable prices for airfare and a hotel, but game tickets were sold out.

 

"Next day I saw Joe. 'Joe, if you were serious about that, if you can get me tickets to the game, I'll go,''" Verga said. "He said, 'Give me your name and you're in.' That was it. It became fun after that.''

 

Early last year, he said, then-bullpen coach Mike Harkey asked him if he could help Harkey get a car to drive to and from Dolphin Stadium. Verga loaned him his 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL, a car that Kranitz drives this year.

 

On the last day of the '06 season, Verga arranged for a plane to fly over the stadium with a banner that said, "Joe and the team - thanks for a great season.''

 

Last month in St. Louis, Verga was easy to spot in a sea of red Cardinals jerseys in the box seats along the third-base line. He often poked his head into the Marlins' dugout to shout encouragement.

 

"He's fearless, because he'll be the only person with a Marlins jersey on in some stadiums,'' pitcher Dontrelle Willis said.

 

Some Marlins wish he wasn't quite so friendly.

 

"He's a super-nice guy, but get a life,'' one player said. "To come to every game is one thing, but to stand out in the parking lot when you drive off and make sure you wave at him ... it's a little overboard.''

 

Still, no player asked about Verga registered a strong objection to his presence.

 

"He's good people,'' pitcher Scott Olsen said. "He's real good about staying away until you come up to him. He respects what we have to do and what we're here for. He doesn't ask us for autographs. He doesn't ask us to get things for him. He just wants to come watch baseball.''

 

Said Verga: "I'm not looking for anything. I'm not an autograph hound. I don't bother them for pictures. I ask for nothing. Just friendship.

 

"Because down the road that means more to me than a ball with a name on it. To be able to say these guys were friends of mine.''

i've seen the guy before...but now I understand he's CREEEEPY!!!

I agree....it's one thing to be a really big fan of the team, but that takes it to another level all together....just scary. And what makes it worse is articles like this that glamorize this guy. When it gets to a point where MLB security has to do a background check, you're probably overstepping your bounds don't you think??

yeah, I question the judgment of the players who embrace him. I mean they were all newbies to the big leagues, with the first time they are making money and no experience dealing with things like this. I think the one anonymous player got it right.

 

Seems like they are using this guy for favors, and he probably goes home and jerks it when he thinks of THE Mike Harkey talking to him. "They're my FRIENDS!!!!" He DOES need to get a life.

I've "met" him in Tampa.

 

He goes by himself and talks to no one. Great that he supports the team, but he's creepy as hell.

that was nice report

:lol @ people making fun of this guy.

 

It seems the players and coaches appreciate him and he knows a lot of these people personally. If any of you guys had the same opportunity, you'd be all over it as would I.

I was thinking the same thing but I wasnt in the mood to get attacked.

 

He's a die-hard fan with $ to travel.

 

Im not saying I would go to the lengths that he does but I wouldnt call him creepy.

See the thing is, Pro Player affords a unique opportunity to have that kind of "interaction" if you have field seats. To anyone that knows the stadium, the tunnel you use to access your seats are shared by the home team because gate G is on the 1st base side of the stadium, as is the Marlins' dugout. I've been in the tunnel before games and run into him leaning against the walkway near the dugout, arms crossed and staring at the clubhouse door, I don't know about you, but that strikes me as "invasive" and contrary to the picture painted in the report.

 

Regardless, it's not as if he was some benevolent individual pulled down from the 400 level or something like that, he's just one of the few "regulars" in the founder's field seats (the orange triangle seats) that is either crazy or brave enough to try to stake a claim to the players and they sort of took him on as an accepted presence.

 

I just think it's important to remember the stadium created this "bonding" far more than anyone realizes, and it has nothing to do with the stadium being empty.

I think it's cool if you're in your late teens to twenties

 

if you're past 50 it's creepy and odd, at least that's the vibe I get from that article

What's even better is that his last name, "Verga" is Central American slang for dick.

I really wanna know who the player that thinks the guy has no life is. I agree with him and I thought it'd be Scott Olsen but he was defending him. I'm thinking Dan Uggla.

I really wanna know who the player that thinks the guy has no life is. I agree with him and I thought it'd be Scott Olsen but he was defending him. I'm thinking Dan Uggla.

I'm thinking someone older and with more perspective, like Boone, Gregg or Gardner, Jason Wood, someone like that

well I know Ramirez likes him. Look, the bottom line is he probably means no harm...I just find it odd he got into this after the 2005 season...loaned his car to the players...I know he's a professional DJ, so if he has some of the players as clients, it's different. Still, I used to sit by him, and it is slightly creepy. I am at school to become a broadcast journalist. I want to call baseball or hockey for a team...the bond you form (from other peoples expirence) as a broadcaster/player is a good bond...your around the guys 162 days a year or more. But as a fan, I would never dare try to be like him.

:lol @ people making fun of this guy.

 

It seems the players and coaches appreciate him and he knows a lot of these people personally. If any of you guys had the same opportunity, you'd be all over it as would I.

 

I for one would NEVER do anything like this. The players have to be friendly to the guy, but I'm positive that the vast majority of players agree with the anonymous player quoted in the article. And the ones that were saying nice things about the guy probably really feel creeped out but don't want to offend anyone. He's a grown man that goes to the games wearing a uniform and wrist bands (and a batting helmet if the article is correct)....I am scared for the players and team personel that have to deal with this guy. I'm telling you, they fact that there is an article about this guy now is only going to make him worse.

:lol @ people making fun of this guy.

 

It seems the players and coaches appreciate him and he knows a lot of these people personally. If any of you guys had the same opportunity, you'd be all over it as would I.

 

I for one would NEVER do anything like this. The players have to be friendly to the guy, but I'm positive that the vast majority of players agree with the anonymous player quoted in the article. And the ones that were saying nice things about the guy probably really feel creeped out but don't want to offend anyone. He's a grown man that goes to the games wearing a uniform and wrist bands (and a batting helmet if the article is correct)....I am scared for the players and team personel that have to deal with this guy. I'm telling you, they fact that there is an article about this guy now is only going to make him worse.

 

 

Let me clarify that I personally would not do this (don't really have the spare time anyway), but Im just confused at why a bunch of die-hards on a Marlins forum are calling this guy "creepy".

 

I have been in the tunnel that Swift was speaking of at Dolphins Stadium. I am fortunate to know someone high up and I have sat in the Batters Box seats/Founders Field many times (Admin, Miri and Maxx can attest to this :cool ). I think I have seen this guy before and creepy was not something that came to mind. Go to a Jets game and see how many men in their 40's and 50's are dressed in Jets jersey's and wearing helmets.

 

fauowls, you mentioned that the players have to be nice to this guy. Who says? Is there someone forcing them to be nice. Is someone also forcing Marlins personel to go out for drinks with this guy?

Jealous is the word that comes to mind when I read a lot of the responses here.

i wonder why he doesn't post here...better question: if he did post here, who would he be? I am going with marlins2003.

:lol @ people making fun of this guy.

 

It seems the players and coaches appreciate him and he knows a lot of these people personally. If any of you guys had the same opportunity, you'd be all over it as would I.

 

I for one would NEVER do anything like this. The players have to be friendly to the guy, but I'm positive that the vast majority of players agree with the anonymous player quoted in the article. And the ones that were saying nice things about the guy probably really feel creeped out but don't want to offend anyone. He's a grown man that goes to the games wearing a uniform and wrist bands (and a batting helmet if the article is correct)....I am scared for the players and team personel that have to deal with this guy. I'm telling you, they fact that there is an article about this guy now is only going to make him worse.

 

 

Let me clarify that I personally would not do this (don't really have the spare time anyway), but Im just confused at why a bunch of die-hards on a Marlins forum are calling this guy "creepy".

 

I have been in the tunnel that Swift was speaking of at Dolphins Stadium. I am fortunate to know someone high up and I have sat in the Batters Box seats/Founders Field many times (Admin, Miri and Maxx can attest to this :cool ). I think I have seen this guy before and creepy was not something that came to mind. Go to a Jets game and see how many men in their 40's and 50's are dressed in Jets jersey's and wearing helmets.

 

fauowls, you mentioned that the players have to be nice to this guy. Who says? Is there someone forcing them to be nice. Is someone also forcing Marlins personel to go out for drinks with this guy?

 

I can't be in the minority in this...someone who takes it to the lengths he does seems wrong to me. It brings to mind that movie The Fan. I am all for being a fan, but to actually do some of the things he does....ie wandering around the players parking lot....goes waaaay too far. And to use Jets fans as a way to demonstrate normal behavior made anything else you posted lose all credibilty with me (sorry Jetsmania, no offense) :cool .

I was thinking about it and I think I figured out why I find it so very wrong.....He's a 51 year old man trying to make friends with guys in their mid-20's and younger. And he wants to be friends with them only because they are baseball players. He's a male groupie. I'm not saying he wants anything in THAT sense, but that is what it feels like. Most of the members here are probably somewhere between 20-30, would you want some dude twice your age hanging around where you work and trying to befriend you for no reason other than your profession? I wouldn't. The players are human beings with their own friends and families and are at the ballpark to do a job. Yes, part of their jobs is to be fan friendly and everything, but there is a line....and this guy is crossing it.

Jealous is the word that comes to mind when I read a lot of the responses here.

I am guessing you're relatively young. I think most people 25 and up aren't jealous of this guy. I am with FAUowls.

What made up 'line' are some of you talking about?

 

Every quote sans one says what a good guy he is to them and Olsen's quote shows that he isn't crossing a 'line' (whatever that is) but quite the opposite. I don't know why anyone would just assume players are assumed to like the guy to be professional, or to say something nice just because it is a newspaper article. They didn't have to comment.

Why is Microsoft Sam reading the article for the Palm Beach Post?

A lot of the guys are friendly towards him giving him stuff, asking him for favors or going to dinner with him so if they have no problem with him I have no problem with him either.

What made up 'line' are some of you talking about?

 

Every quote sans one says what a good guy he is to them and Olsen's quote shows that he isn't crossing a 'line' (whatever that is) but quite the opposite. I don't know why anyone would just assume players are assumed to like the guy to be professional, or to say something nice just because it is a newspaper article. They didn't have to comment.

 

When you get MLB security checking you out, you've crossed a line. They don't do background checks on oridinary fans, even ones who are at every game and chat with the players. It is a problem that this guy is wandering around restricted areas without being invited, regardless if Kranitz later says it was ok. He's not a player, coach, or team employee. And again....he's a guy 20+ years older than the players wanting to be friends with them simply because they are baseball players. if that isn't creepy I don't know what is. Also, the team is not going to say anything negative about this guy in the press especially when they. as an organization, have to be seen as fan friendly as possible. I'm guarantee you, I am not saying this out of jealousy...I have no desire to be friends with Marlin players. I, like normal people, just want to see them win and nothing more. I just think it is very inappropriate to do what this guy is doing and having an article about him will only empower him further.