hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooottttttttttttttttttttttt dddddoooooooooooooooggggggggggggggggggsssssssssssss

Got my picture with him and his autograph during the Home Run derby at The Ballpark.

What set is that card from?

Is he still there? I haven't been to a Rangers game in Arlington since I moved in 08.

I don't think so...he also worked games at old Reunion Arena...I believe he quit because they wouldn't give him a raise/royalties after they used him in those commercials/promos in the mid 90s

Yes, he left.

He didn't get too descriptive when we asked him at the Stars' game.

It was certainly a falling out.

Nolan was the only one who respected him.

JD decided when and where to put the wiener in the bun /Kinsler

He and Zonk should be in the Rangers Hall of Fame.

What other non-uniformed/non-front office people would you like to see go in?

[This message has been edited by 1 (edited 3/8/2014 10:13a).]

^Chuck Morgan

Loved that guy. Would like to have that card!

Had that card for a while, I wish I could find it again. The goofy smile at the end of the "song" was my favorite part. He even used to work Fort Worth Fire games back in the day.

The nuns, one of them passed last year, sadly.

ROFL... After I graduated from A&M, we lived in an Apt complex in Arlington. I passed this guy and he was like, "Hey, where can I order some Za?"

He was Canadian and the Ft Worth Fire had just moved into the complex. They were a nice bunch, but soaked in the pool/hot tub after games until late into the night. It'd be 40F outside and they'd still be in the pool.

What about the sweet old lady that beats the drum during the games is she still around?

I have a couple of Zonk stories:

About 12-13 years ago, I was sitting two rows behind Zonk. In front of him was some fat old guy who was probably older than Zonk. Apparently, this gentleman was not aware of Zonk being a fixture and got increasingly agitated at the drumming above his head. He eventually threatened Zonk with a "i'll smack you in the mouth". The usher defused the situation by finding the oldtimer and his wife new seats.

My other Zonk story was getting paired with him for a round of golf at Sherrill Park about 15 years ago. In 25 years of playing golf, he's the only playing partner I've ever had that didn't introduce himself or say one word the entire round (well, technically 9 holes as Zonk didn't have the stamina for 18). I couldn't figure out if he was possibly mentally ill or just rude. He had a Rangers putter and golf bag. He was there with a "buddy" who was probably 10-15 years younger. He seemed relatively normal, but Zonk never said anything to him either.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/11/2014 10:01p).]

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I have a couple of Zonk stories:

About 12-13 years ago, I was sitting two rows behind Zonk. In front of him was some fat old guy who was probably older than Zonk. Apparently, this gentleman was not aware of Zonk being a fixture and got increasingly agitated at the drumming above his head. He eventually threatened Zonk with a "i'll smack you in the mouth". The usher defused the situation by finding the oldtimer and his wife new seats.

My other Zonk story was getting paired with him for a round of golf at Sherrill Park about 15 years ago. In 25 years of playing golf, he's the only playing partner I've ever had that didn't introduce himself or say one word the entire round (well, technically 9 holes as Zonk didn't have the stamina for 18). I couldn't figure out if he was possibly mentally ill or just rude. He had a Rangers putter and golf bag. He was there with a "buddy" who was probably 10-15 years younger. He seemed relatively normal, but Zonk never said anything to him either.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/11/2014 10:01p).]

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Love it!

One other item I'd add is that Zonk used his golf course "etiquette" approach with the fat guy - never said a single word the entire time. That incident escalated over the course of about 5-6 innings. The guy in front of him clearly became agitated early, but would just look back angrily, would plug his fingers in his ears, etc. trying to give body language signals but didn't say anything to Zonk for the first 2-3 innings. Then he eventually started asking Zonk to stop - usually upon completion of one of Zonk's drum solos. Zonk would just stare at him, have a seat since he was done with that set anyway, and then would keep on drumming again as soon as the mood/game situation dictated it. Eventually, it escalated from asking to stop to "I'll smack you in the mouth" and that's when someone nearby went to fetch the usher.

Back when he had season tickets, we used to have season tickets across the aisle from Zonk. He is not a terribly pleasant person.

I grew up with and went to elementary and middle school with Zonk's granddaughter. He picked her up occasionally from school. Just seemed like another old guy - not overly nice, but not mean. Of course, we were with his granddaughter, so if he was mean he kept it in check then.

I always thought it was cool to see him at games at the old Arlington Stadium

My company has season tickets directly in front of Zonk and his family. We have the 5 seats in front of him and at least 2 or 3 of the seats are usually given to customers. I get the other ones often and am used to and enjoy the drum. The people's reactions are usually pretty priceless if I do not have a chance to tell them about Zonk before he brings out the drum.

So Zonk is still around? I hadn't really noticed him in a long time...they never show him on TV anymore. Maybe they were told to stop featuring him to cut down on copycats seeking air time.

I don't think he makes it out there much anymore. He lives somewhere in the Plano/Richardson area, so as he's gotten older, I think the trip to the park has gotten to be a little too much to do very often. I recall some sort of article about it a few years ago.

He's usually at about half or maybe a little bit less of the games we attend. If he isn't there, at least some of his family always is. One game last year they were actually celebrating his birthday and they put him up on the big screen during the game to wish him well. I definitely see the older lady who I believe was a nun banging her drum at more games than Zonk. Not sure if his seats moved over the years, which has made it harder for the cameras to grab him, as they are the second row under the awning behind the home on deck circle.

[This message has been edited by shoes (edited 3/14/2014 11:29a).]

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Damn near impossible to find a hot dog for $2.75 at a ball game anymore.