NEW YORK — Like many kids growing up in the 1960s and 70s, Glen E. Friedman loved baseball and grew intrigued by the Pirates teams of that era.
Even though he grew up in New York and northern New Jersey and eventually moved out to Los Angeles, Friedman felt drawn to Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Steve Blass, Bill Mazeroski and others.
Besides the humanitarian legacy of his idol Clemente, it was an interaction with Dock Ellis that sealed the deal for Friedman, a renowned photographer and artist who’s best known for his work with the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C., Black Flag and more.
I met Friedman while watching batting practice at Citi Field on Opening Day, and I had to relay his story. Another celebrity Pirates fan. And the story involving Ellis is incredible.
It happened at Shea Stadium when Friedman was around 11 years old. Doubleheader. At one point Friedman was yelling for Ellis, who came strutting over. I’ll let Friedman take it from there.
“He comes over and says, ‘Why are you yelling?’ ” Friedman said. “I said, ‘I’m just trying to get an autograph or something.’ He said, ‘Relax, I got you.’ ”
Friedman said he was wearing the finest Pirates shirt you could buy at the time — since pro jerseys were not readily available at the time —but Ellis poked fun at his shirt, saying he should have a real Dock Ellis jersey. Friedman naively asked where he could get one. Ellis responded by telling Friedman to wait by the press gate later in the doubleheader, after he knew he would no longer be called upon to pitch in the game.
Friedman again:
“I see Dock after, and he struts out wearing platform shoes, black silk pants and a red fishnet shirt. Everyone starts yelling his name. I’m by the gate. He sees me and walks straight toward me with a brown paper bag. He hands it to me and says, ‘Don’t open this until you get home or you get to your seat because you’ll get jumped.’
“I go back to my seat where my dad is still watch the game. I open it up, and there’s his jersey. They didn’t sell those back then. I still have it. I have it in a frame with some of his Pittsburgh baseball cards.”
Friedman wasn’t kidding, as you can see above. He also sent me a photo of him and Ellis.
Friedman’s affection for the Pirates has only grown in recent years. He got to know Clint Hurdle, Trevor Williams, Josh Bell, Starling Marte, Derek Shelton and video man Kevin Roach over the last decade or so.
In 2017, Friedman was giving an art talk in Pittsburgh and said as part of the deal, he wanted Pirates tickets, for him and his son, to make it happen. Friedman returned last year and actually threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Roberto Clemente Jr., who he’s also befriended.
Like many fans, Friedman is encouraged by the Pirates’ offseason moves. You’ll also likely see him at PNC Park this summer.
“Win or lose, I love the Pirates no matter what,” Friedman said. “But to see the moves they’ve made this offseason is really nice. It’s very exciting. I hope it makes a difference.
“Last year I said, ‘If we’re above .500 in September, I’ll come back out to Pittsburgh.’ This year maybe I’ll have to push it because I think we’ll be there.’
“It’s not easy being a Pirates fan living in New York. I’m always in the minority. But it’s fun to get out there.”
If you want to check out more of Friedman’s work, go here.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.