Hal Gordon has turn out to be considerably of a star on the Oakland Coliseum over the last 5 years, gaining the moniker “Hal the Hot Dog Guy.” However subsequent season, Gordon’s full of life persona can be missed as he prepares to finish his tenure.
Gordon, who’s finishing a doctorate in economics at UC Berkeley, advised SFGATE that he’ll graduate quickly and hoped that the A’s would have employed him as a full-time economist, concurrent along with his sizzling canine merchandising gig on the Oakland Coliseum. He shared on Twitter that the A’s heard him out however have been unable to just accept the brand new position.
“It’s one thing I knew was going to be an extended shot,” Gordon advised SFGATE. “The A’s would have beloved to maintain me on as the recent canine man, … [but] I didn’t know in the event that they thought it was price attempting to match an economist wage and hold me alongside. I’m disenchanted, and I do know numerous followers are disenchanted.”
Gordon had hoped to proceed energizing the gang whereas additionally utilizing his background in economics to assist the crew, however he’s additionally understanding. A part of his disappointment stems from what he mentioned he delivered to the stadium: “good vibes, pleasure and enjoyable.”
Gordon has spent almost 20 years working at main sports activities arenas, starting in 2005 when he was a teen. His first job was at Wrigley Area in Chicago, the place he offered sizzling canines. He later grew to become a sizzling canine vendor, serving Giants, Raiders, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Nationals followers. It wasn’t till 2016 that he ended up on the Oakland Coliseum working as a contract meals vendor. A yr later, he targeted on promoting sizzling canines with aptitude.
Oakland A’s sizzling canine vendor Hal Gordon had enjoying playing cards made up of him working on the Coliseum along with his statistics on the again of the cardboard. Gordon, often known as “Hal the Scorching Canine Man,” mentioned he was unable to sway the A’s to maintain him on board as a full-time economist when he completes his doctorate.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Throughout baseball video games, Gordon had a penchant for pranking unsuspecting A’s followers with a faux ketchup bottle that squirted an extended pink wire. He additionally acquired a kick out of thrilling the gang along with his favourite sports activities chant, which went one thing like this: “Give me an A!” adopted by “What’s that spell? … A’s!” Followers will recall customized baseball playing cards Gordon handed out, which featured portraits of him posing in full “Hal the Scorching Canine Man” character.
Although strolling away received’t be simple, Gordon mentioned he’ll want to maneuver on and discover a new gig as quickly as he finishes his dissertation. He added that he’s grateful to the A’s for permitting him to be their premier sizzling canine vendor. If he’s nonetheless within the Bay Space subsequent yr, he plans to attend opening day in March 2023 in order that he can say goodbye to A’s followers who linked with him through the years.
“I’d wish to work on opening day, however after that, it’ll be the subsequent chapter for me and for followers in Oakland,” Gordon mentioned. “I’ll miss the followers … and being a part of that group. I’ve gotten to know dozens of individuals by face and title. It’s inconceivable to think about having as a lot enjoyable as I did being the recent canine man. It’s been an honor, and it’s one thing I’ll always remember.”
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