[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfCP8yJKRs&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
As many of you may know, each year the MLB selects a few lucky fans to live in the MLB Fan Cave located in Manhattan. The lucky fans live there for the entire MLB season, and watch every single from start to finish.
I recently caught up with 23 year old Mets fan Eitan Levine, who just so happens to be one of the 52 finalists for the MLB Fan Cave Contest. Eitan needs your help, as voting is currently underway to cut the finalist pool down to 30.
The 30 finalists will be invited to Spring Training to audition to be the 2013 Fan Cave Dwellers. I was fortunate enough to ask Eitan Levine a few questions about himself and his quest for the cave.
Me: How/Why/When did you become a Mets fan?
I should also point out that it is a miracle that I am still a Mets fan. Growing up in New Jersey meant that 90% of my friends were Yankees fans and I think we all are aware that being a Met fan in the tri-state area was not easy during the Yankee dynasty teams of the late 90’s and early 00’s. It would have been very easy for me to switch over the “the dark side” but I stood tough through those years and to this day still bleed orange and blue.
Me: Your favorite Mets player/moment of all time?
Eitan: My current favorite player is David Wright. He is a fantastic leader and an all around “mentsch.”My all-time favorite player is hands down Mike Piazza which also ties into my favorite Met moment. Although I was only 12 when it happened, Mike’s home-run after 9/11 still gives me goose bumps. I dare you to watch that home run on YouTube and tell me you don’t feel something.
Me: What are you looking forward to most for the 2013 season?
Eitan: As I saw it, the Mets had to do 3 things this offseason: Sign Wright long-term, clear up salary space and sign some top tier prospects. Wright is a Met for the next 7 years, salary cap space was dumped and the Mets signed some very promising prospects. As much as I loved RA last year, it was better for them to trade him now in exchange for some younger blood. Travis d’Arnaud is a highly regarded catching prospect who will hopefully fit in well with the Mets.
Me: Why do you want to win the MLB Fan Cave Contest?
Eitan: I think the best thing about the Fan Cave is that I won’t have to pay rent for the next 6 months… Kidding! I love the Fan Cave program and I really can’t think of a better way to watch the MLB season than in front of those 45 flat screen TVs. Living in the heart of NYC and meeting the celebs/musicians that come through the Fan Cave doors would be nothing short of a dream come true.
Me: How do you think your stand up/camera experience will translate to the Fan Cave if selected?
Eitan: As I see it, the keys to a great Fan Cave dweller are someone that is equal parts energetic, entertaining and passionate about sports. I am all those things PLUS I have over 8 years of comedic experience on-stage/on-camera. I also am the host of my own live action sports debate show called “Sports! Live!” which currently runs out of the People’s Improv Theater in New York (The way I describe the show is that it is some sort of mix of Pardon the Interruption and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn). I am exactly what the Fan Cave is looking for and will hopefully be able to take the Fan Cave experience to new heights during my tenure on Broadway and West 4th.
Me: What can fans do to help you in your quest?
Eitan: You can vote for me here:
http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/vote.jsp?fliqzid=a9a27456fc8146d3881a44af1972a375
Mets fans! You will be kicking yourself in the butt if you don’t vote for me and some Phillies fan makes his way into the fan cave this year! Let me represent the Orange and Blue!
Me: Anything else you want Mets’ fans to know about you?
Eitan: I perform weekly at the People’s Improv Theater (24th and Park Avenue) as part of the Improv house team, Classic Anne. We perform on Monday nights at 10pm in the PIT Underground theater. Check me out and say hi to me after the show… and buy me a drink!
It would be awesome to have a Mets fan be a part of the MLB Fan Cave this upcoming season, and Eitan Levine sounds like the perfect candidate. Be sure to vote for Eitan at the link above prior to February 13th so he can have a chance to audition. Also, you can follow Eitan on twitter at @eitanthegoalie this upcoming baseball season.
