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Origin of the Stickball Classic
Curtis Sliwa is one of New York’s most vocal
and well known personalities. He began his career helping clean the
City’s streets of crime and refuse and now shares the limelight on
WABC with Ron Kuby as a popular radio talk show host. As many of his
listeners know, Curtis also devotes a considerable amount of time
and energy to another one of his passions: promoting New York's traditional
game of stickball.
Curtis’ official role as a stickball advocate dates back to 1993.
At that time the New York Daily News launched a tough marketing
campaign aimed at Newsday, a new entrant into the NYC market. Battling
to hold on to their large daily readership the News highlighted
its deep roots in the boroughs. In one of their most successful
TV ads, the News' co-owner, Fred Drasner was shown swinging
a stickball bat and hitting a ball 2 1/2 sewers
(now that’s NY!). After the campaign, Curtis suggested to the News
leadership that they continue with this theme and sponsor an annual
stickball competition to determine the best team in the city. This
gave rise to the Daily News Stickball Classic, one of stickball’s
most popular events.
In 1993, another local notable, Rudolph Guiliani also successfully
completed a media campaign; this one was for the position of mayor.
Rudy also used the symbol of the stickball bat and his familiarity
with the game to demonstrate his neighborhood roots. Curtis suggested
that the mayor continue his support of the game after the election.
Happy to oblige, Hizzoner suggested that Curtis accept the title
as the “Commissioner of Stickball.” Perks included enabling him
to speak about the game (as if Curtis needed permission) and full
transportation to and from events on the NYC transit system, which
Curtis refers to as the “Chug a Mug,” for $1.50, the normal cost
of fare at the time. While the bennies might have a bit underwhelming,
Curtis loved the official title and has used it to actively champion
the virtue of the game.
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