As I’m living through the last phase of my BATBOY documentary by Bill O’Connell and Executive Producer Chazz Palminteri, I’m sitting at a corner table at the world-famous Patsy’s Italian restaurant.
One of the subjects for the documentary that night is Bob Avaltroni who was a part of the country’s terrorism investigations during 911 and a deputy commissioner during the Giuliani administration.
I would meet this gentleman along with many of the late great Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s other friends like Bill Fugazy and Lee Iacocca, Cary Grant, and of course The Chairman of the Board Frank Sinatra!
Bob was actually the supervisor of long-time police officer Joe Scafidi who later worked for Mr. Steinbrenner as his suite supervisor at Yankee Stadium and is there to this day.
Bob had many wonderful memories of one of baseball’s most powerful men. He showed a very human spirit about the Boss that most people never got to see with the exception of those closest to him.
For many years many people and producers have asked me if I would consider doing a documentary including Bob however I always said that it had to be the right situation. Bob through the years always said that someday the right situation would come and he would love to give his two cents as to why George Steinbrenner gave a damn about people who came from very difficult environments like myself. I always knew that Bob understood and would make for a great interview.
As we sat at Bob’s favorite corner table all of a sudden a gasp presented itself. The reason being was that Tina Sinatra, the youngest daughter of the great Frank Sinatra walked in.
As the whole world knows this restaurant is where Sinatra called home when in New York.
The owner Joe Scognamillo, and his son Sal always treated Mr. Sinatra like true family. It was as if Mr. Sinatra owned the place and that was how Joe wanted it because he loved Mr. Sinatra so much. I know because I witnessed many moments with them thanks to the great Yankee manager Billy Martin’s initial introduction to the restaurant in 1977. I would actually meet Mr. Sinatra in 1976. He was a guest of Mr. Steinbrenner’s during the playoffs. Mr. Sinatra and his wife Barbara and their friend the famous actor Cary Grant hung out with the Boss at Yankee Stadium and Grant actually went into the clubhouse and got doused with champagne after Chris Chambliss’s famous game-winning homer.
After a while, Sal came over and asked me to go up to the Sinatra room and say hello to Tina and Charlie Pignone who is one of the heads of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.
One of the first things that Tina asked me was did I see the bobble head that the Yankees put out. I laughed and said I wasn’t lucky enough to get one. Ironically another of Steinbrenner’s pals Insurance mogul Dick Bily had just offered me his because he knows how much Sinatra meant to me.
Tina and I talked about how Mr. Sinatra always championed for civil rights and the important messages that he gave me during those times.
He always told me that I owed it to Mr. Steinbrenner to never let him down because he believes in you.
I loved looking at the portrait hanging over the Sinatra table that was done by the great sports artist John Pennisi. Tina said she always admires it whenever she comes into the restaurant.
At the end of the night, she actually took pictures with Carmine Elvezio one of the cameramen assigned to the documentary. Carmine was thrilled because he knew this was going to make his mom ( a true Sinatra fan) very happy!
When you talk to Tina her rich soul reminds you of her father. She is very sweet and understanding of how beautiful life can be. It was so very sweet to have those moments with her. We even talked about Sammy Davis Jr. She said that Sammy was her buddy. No, unfortunately, we didn’t talk about Dean Martin. I never got to meet the so-called King of Cool!
All in all it was a beautiful night at my favorite restaurant in the world … PATSY’S Italian family restaurant!
Thank yo,u Sal and Joe, and the Scognamillo family. Your loyalty and respect for me over the decades have always made me proud. During my most darkest moments you like Mr. Sinatra and Mr. Steinbrenner, made me feel like I belonged when many said I didn’t!
As you know… I love you!
