View Full Version : Shelley on the 4 Train
Perhaps this isn’t worthy of a thread, but I thought it was kinda cool.
One of the only bright spots for me on Monday night, when the Yankees were eliminated, came after the game was over.
Mopar Larry and I were standing outside the Stadium on River Avenue, saying goodbye to our friend Pablo the shish-kebab man, when our friend text-messaged me, saying that Shelley Duncan was crying in the Yankee dugout.
We went to the Yankee Tavern for a farewell beer, then headed for the 4 train to go home. As we walked back along the Manhattan-bound platform, there was Mr. Arm Smash himself. He was standing there waiting for the train with a friend, who looked like he might be another ballplayer but had non-Yankee facial hair.
I went up and shook his hand, and said, “We’re going to be seeing a lot of you here.” He thanked me, and I said, “No, thank YOU.” And then Mopar came over and talked with him a bit. Then we left them alone and rode down through Manhattan in the same car.
I reminded Mopar that Chuck Knoblauch used to ride the 4 train without being recognized – probably because he was fairly short for a ballplayer.
Kinda cool that Shelley isn’t afraid to travel with the average fan. I wondered if maybe he rode the 4 home that night partly for sentimental reasons, to say goodbye to the Bronx for the season. I hope he does end up with us next year.
For our part, it was cool that a very bad night ended with a brush with a future that may be very bright.
Awesome!
I saw him brush away a tear on tv, and could really feel for him... Maybe he thought he'd start his time in the majors like the captain did, and this was just not part of the plan...
I saw him in BP in Baltimore the last weekend of the regular season, he must've hit 5 out of the park to left field. I kept telling my wife to watch him in the cage... Then, in the 4th, he blasts a 2-run homer to left. I really hope he's back with us next year.
4bronxbombers
10-10-07, 09:22 AM
My God! The horror! How can he cry?!?!?!
(referring to some of the posts in the Suzyn Waldman thread).
Claudell Washington
10-10-07, 09:39 AM
My God! The horror! How can he cry?!?!?!
(referring to some of the posts in the Suzyn Waldman thread).
Considering that he is an actual member of the team, it's completely understandable and endearing.
Considering that he is an actual member of the team, it's completely understandable and endearing.
Yeah, and Suzyn's been covering the team for almost as long as some of the players have been ALIVE.
Claudell Washington
10-10-07, 09:50 AM
You know, maybe we should just leave that discussion in the other thread where it belongs.
On topic: I hope Shelley comes back too. I'd much rather have him off the bench than Giambi, considering his relative versatility in the field. And the energy that he brings to the team is awesome.
You know, maybe we should just leave that discussion in the other thread where it belongs.
On topic: I hope Shelley comes back too. I'd much rather have him off the bench than Giambi, considering his relative versatility in the field. And the energy that he brings to the team is awesome.
agreed, but I'm pretty sure Giambi's under contract.
NYYRules#1
10-10-07, 09:53 AM
Damn, I was only on the 4 train less than 2 hours before that! Granted, the game was going on (I actually got off at Yankee Stadium and got back on the next train just to sort of peek through the gap between the scoreboard and stands).
Still, that is really awesome.
yankeesnumber1
10-10-07, 10:23 AM
Great post. Duncan seems like a pretty down to earth guy. Cant wait to see him smashing HR's next season.
In Mo I Trust
10-10-07, 10:28 AM
Very cool, hopefully we see a lot of Shelley next year.
BillBuckner
10-10-07, 12:20 PM
Awesome story, thanks for posting. Shelley seems like a really cool guy. Hopefully we'll be seeing a lot of him in the years to come.
BringBackBernie!
10-10-07, 12:28 PM
I want a #17 shirt. I hope Shelley stays for good.
TheDynasty26
10-10-07, 02:29 PM
You gotta love his attitude, his devotion, his mentality, and the upbeat positive feeling he brings to the club. Its a shame they didnt win, you could have asked for an arm smash....at your own risk of course.
That's cool, but it's not like Shelley has any reason not to ride the train. If someone gets out of line, he can handle himself.
You gotta love his attitude, his devotion, his mentality, and the upbeat positive feeling he brings to the club. Its a shame they didnt win, you could have asked for an arm smash....at your own risk of course.
Yeah, that thought did briefly occur to me much later, but
1.) I'd now have a broken forearm, and
2.) It wouldn't seem natural after just getting eliminated.
That's cool, but it's not like Shelley has any reason not to ride the train. If someone gets out of line, he can handle himself.
No doubt. Any attacker would die of forearm causes.
THEBOSS84
10-10-07, 02:41 PM
It's possible the guy he was with was his brother Chris - I read Chris was at the game to watch him play. Also, does anyone have a screen shot of Shelley crying? I was at the game and didn't see it on tv.
Poor kid. He had a great ride with the Yankees, though, and hopefully we'll see a lot of the "kids" next year. If he and Joba and Hughes are all there, then Melky and Cano are going to seem like the "old men" in the clubhouse. :)
Kinda cool that Shelley isn’t afraid to travel with the average fan.
Shelly is 6'5" and built like a truck. I don't think anyone is gonna mess with him. He'll just arm bash you to death.
Anyways, nice story.
Coming home from game one of the 2003 World Series, I was sitting next to Bob Gibson.
With apologies to Robert Browning ...
Ah, did you once see Shelley playin'?
And did he stop and high-five you?
And did you then have shoulder pain?
And carpal tunnel syndrome too?
SheffRocks11
10-10-07, 03:14 PM
I love shelly. He seems like a really great guy.
A friend of mine ran into Shelley in a bar in Manhattan early in August and they took a couple of shots together. He asked for a forearm smash and was hurting for a good 3 days afterwards.
Brooklyn Yankee Fan
10-10-07, 03:22 PM
That's a cool story, thanks for sharing. It must have been a great experience.
I'm a big fan of Shelley. His attitude and presence in the clubhouse must be great. He seems like a great guy to be around. I hope he is with this team next season, and gets a good amount of playing time.
shum87nyy
10-10-07, 07:04 PM
I was at the Yanks Angels Game (on August 14, 2006) with my friend. During the game he invited me over to his house (for after the game.) I kept saying no. He kept on asking, but he got the same answer. So he took the "D" train and I took the 4. The next morning in work, he showed me a picture of a guy on his train going home from the night before. Then he Showed me a picture of him with guy. He told me there were some drunk guys on his train who screemed out while pointing to someone "That guy looks like Cory Lidle!". So they swaggered over and found out it was indeed him. every one on the train got a pic and an autograph, as well my friend.
Ever since, I have yet to decline an invitation to his house.
CallOfTheCrow
10-10-07, 07:09 PM
A friend of mine ran into Shelley in a bar in Manhattan early in August and they took a couple of shots together. He asked for a forearm smash and was hurting for a good 3 days afterwards.
this made me laugh....not that I find your friend hurt amusing but you know what I mean. Hopefully.
Shelley would knock my arm back like a windmill.
Dr. Gonzo
10-10-07, 07:23 PM
it is like flaherty who use to takea cab and the cabbie asked if he was a fan or something and he said no I am playing.
Shelly is 6'5" and built like a truck. I don't think anyone is gonna mess with him. He'll just arm bash you to death.
Anyways, nice story.
Just to be clear, when I said it's cool that Shelley isn't afraid to ride with the fans, I meant more like "doesn't mind mingling with us, the great unwashed."
He does indeed cut a fairly imposing figure, though he's not quite as bulky out of uniform as his style of play would suggest. He's tall, but he's got that rangy-strong build that a good young ballplayer will often have.
Anyway, it cheered us up a bit.
stephsamps
10-10-07, 10:58 PM
Cool story. I rode the train with Kobby a few times. I remember one time he was going on about why a one year old needs such a big bday party. Was quite commical.
BxBomber44
10-10-07, 11:11 PM
Awesome!
I saw him brush away a tear on tv, and could really feel for him... Maybe he thought he'd start his time in the majors like the captain did, and this was just not part of the plan...
I saw him in BP in Baltimore the last weekend of the regular season, he must've hit 5 out of the park to left field. I kept telling my wife to watch him in the cage... Then, in the 4th, he blasts a 2-run homer to left. I really hope he's back with us next year.
i saw it too. im happy he got a chance this year and im happy he took advantage. we have a bright bright future!
BronxBombersMRP
10-10-07, 11:22 PM
I like Duncan and the intensity he brings. Hope to see him in pinstripes again next season....
njyankeesfan
10-11-07, 12:48 AM
Great story, thanks for posting!
Octoberbaby
10-11-07, 02:34 AM
I wish Duncan got to play more this season. I hope he is back next year in pinstripes.
jlw1980
10-11-07, 02:49 AM
Shelley seems like a cool guy, even if he has a girl's name. I guess that's his parents' fault, though. :lol:
I really hope he's back next year.
YanksFan1992
10-12-07, 12:45 PM
Cool story, and if he sticks around next year I'm definitely considering trying to get a Shelley jersey to wear to the games in Seattle :D:
JOBA RULES
10-16-07, 12:35 PM
I'm glad Shelly showed he cared..Him sheading a tear makes me feel that he knows how us fans feel...they always say the players never take it as hard as the fans im glad to see Shelly showed some emotion
Mantle'sMutt
10-16-07, 01:17 PM
Too bad this can't happen more often. Given some of the scum out there, I can't blame players for not venturing onto the 4 Train. I read somewhere that the Brooklyn Dodger players used to ride the train quite often to Ebbetts including some of the star players like Snider and Pee Wee. Musta been fantastic - players riding with fans to the ballpark. File it in the "things we'll never see again" category. Sadly.
Yankees Pride
10-16-07, 03:05 PM
Great story.
You have to love Shelley. He plays the game with heart.
The Q Bomb
10-16-07, 08:11 PM
Yeah, and Suzyn's been covering the team for almost as long as some of the players have been ALIVE. Great point! You must be a lawyer!
PosadaGirl
10-17-07, 04:11 AM
Kinda cool that Shelley isn’t afraid to travel with the average fan.
I saw Duncan walk out the front of Angel's stadium when I was there this season. It was strange since the players usually exit through the back. He actually came out with Joba. Everyone was so busy asking Joba for an autograph that no one paid any attention to Duncan :(. There was a third guy with them and I heard him tell Joba - "Joba, Shelley is still walking." Then I heard some little boy go "Hey Dad, that was Shelley Duncan." Joba signed a couple of autographs then the guy told everyone he had to go. http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/Ashess643/Yanks%20n%20Angels%20Game/CIMG0240.jpg?t=1192612022
Right before Joba and Duncan came out, Melky and Cano also came out the front. My sister and I were waitng in line for a cab. A group of people started walking up and someon goes "I hope these people don't want a cab too." Then we heard someone go "Melky, Melky, an autograph" There was poor little Melky looking like a lost little puppy with fans around him. Cano was walking in front of him - they hurried and got in their Hummer.
4bronxbombers
10-17-07, 09:10 AM
I saw Duncan walk out the front of Angel's stadium when I was there this season. It was strange since the players usually exit through the back. He actually came out with Joba. Everyone was so busy asking Joba for an autograph that no one paid any attention to Duncan :(. There was a third guy with them and I heard him tell Joba - "Joba, Shelley is still walking." Then I heard some little boy go "Hey Dad, that was Shelley Duncan." Joba signed a couple of autographs then the guy told everyone he had to go. http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/Ashess643/Yanks%20n%20Angels%20Game/CIMG0240.jpg?t=1192612022
Right before Joba and Duncan came out, Melky and Cano also came out the front. My sister and I were waitng in line for a cab. A group of people started walking up and someon goes "I hope these people don't want a cab too." Then we heard someone go "Melky, Melky, an autograph" There was poor little Melky looking like a lost little puppy with fans around him. Cano was walking in front of him - they hurried and got in their Hummer.
Nice!
Love your sig btw. :)
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