Yankees Fan 'Bald Vinny' Calls it Quits

Few sports fans around the world know what it's like to be a true "die-hard," but Bellmore resident Vinny Milano is regarded as the world's greatest fan of one of the world's most successful sports franchises — the New York Yankees.

Milano, better known as "Bald Vinny," is the leader of the well-known group the "Bleacher Creatures." He even has his own Yankees clothing line. But after the Yankees' recent loss to the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series, Bald Vinny decided to call it quits as chief Bleacher Creature.

"Essentially I feel like I'm kind of forced into it," Milano recently told Patch. "Obviously I have a family to provide for and the chosen career path that I had taken really wasn't doing it. ... I have a great brand and a great niche market, but I haven't been able to take business where I wanted to and it's really just time to think about my family."

Milano now finds himself in a place he hasn't been in for more than 12 years: out of the bleachers. He is currently looking to find a stable job and another way that he can provide for his loved ones.

While nothing has come up yet, Milano said it's only been about a week and he is still exploring his options.

"I have a sales background. I used to do traditional advertising," he said. "... I guess I'll really try to focus on that because that's what I'm good at. Friends have been reaching out, which has been awesome."

Bald Vinny supporters were hopeful that the long-time supporter would land a job within the Yankees organization. So far, no luck. But Milano said if the opportunity with the Yankees or any companies involved with the team — such as Modell's, Steiner Sports or the YES Network — presented itself, he would jump on it in a heartbeat.

"Without a doubt, that goes without question," he said. "That's always been my business goal. Not just the Yankees, I think there are a lot of companies that are heavily involved with the Yankees I feel could be a great fit [for]."

"I'm hoping for anything that can keep me doing what I'm doing because I love being 'Bald Vinny' and being the head Bleacher Creature and selling shirts — I love all of that," he added. "I really don't want to give it up ... so if anyone wants to jump in and save me, now would be a great time."

As for his time in Section 203, Milano said he will always look back on what he did — from leading the Yankees roll call to standing on the mound — with a great sense of pride.

"It's been the best 12 years ever," he said. "I've done so much cool stuff that people would dream of doing. ... I wish I could still keep going. I think there's so much more there and so much untapped potential, but I've taken it as far as I can."