Tony Morante is a living legend and began working for the New York Yankees in 1958. First as an usher, then in ticket sales and from 1985 through 2018 was the Director of Yankee Stadium Tours. He also recently became a member of the Italian American Baseball Foundation and we spoke with him about his love of baseball and respect for Italian American heritage and culture.

What does it mean for you to spend a life in baseball, to educate others on the game and to pass on your knowledge? 

Living in Yankees’ baseball was part fantasy and part of my DNA. I endeavored to make the Yankees as best as they could be … especially by creating programs that are still in existence today.

What is it about baseball that you love?

Baseball is all about teamwork and the camaraderie that it generates. Although there is no “I” in teamwork baseball emphasizes the collective teamwork of individuals.

Who is your favorite Italian American ballplayer and why?

No favorites here! I wished them all to succeed with respect to playing [against the Yankees].

Favorite baseball memory or moment of all-time that you experienced? 

When I walked out onto the upper deck at Yankee Stadium with the visuals of my black and white TV, I was smitten by the beautiful blue sky wrapping around the entire stadium, the luscious green grass, the colorful pinstripe uniform, the aromas spewed by the vendors hawking their wares … I was smitten! I don’t even remember who the Yankees played or who won or lost! It was all about the captured moment that still lives on today.

What does your Italian American culture and heritage mean to you?

My Italian-American culture is all about being ‘the best that you can be’. To that end, I have been invited to join the 2022 Class of The New York Baseball Hall-of-Fame.

To learn more about Tony and his life in baseball, check out the profile on him in Ball Nine also written this month.

-As told to Chris R. Vaccaro, advisory board member of IABF