Slipped my mind…
-
- May
- 13
You know, I forgot all about it until my boy Ralph at the Daily News reminded me. Yesterday was the final day of activity in the Giants Stadium press room. Starting with the next locker room availability, we’ll all move into our new, somewhat cozier, digs at the new Giants office building, right next to their cavernous indoor practice facility.
I’m going to miss the old joint. Maybe because I’m a creature of habit, but I never really complained about the place we not-so-affectionately called “The Dungeon.” True, it had no windows, as it lay in the bowels beneath the Giants Stadium seating bowl. It could get real cold if they didn’t turn the heat on, or real hot if they forgot to crank up the air conditioning. But mostly, it was home to me and my colleagues.
It’s where Bill Parcells would come down for impromptu chats after Wednesday practices, well past the time the TV and radio guys had left. The off-the-record stuff was both entertaining and insightful. I learned a lot of football back then.
It’s where Jim Fassel issued his famous proclamation, “This team is going to the playoffs!” And it’s where Michael Strahan famously blasted Fassel as the coach was burying his mom in California. It’s where Dan Reeves called the George Young-led front office as “The most argumentative organization I’ve ever been involved with,” after Tyrone Wheatley became their first-round draft pick against Reeves’ wishes.
So many other memories. Ray Handley’s two-year mental breakdown, countless debates among me and my colleagues. Thousands of stories written and, for me, the place where I’ve had the privilege of chronicling each of the last 20 seasons of Giants history for you.
I’ll miss the old joint. The one thing I can look forward to in the new place: At least it’ll have an internet connection.
Farewell, press room. Sorry I couldn’t be there to say goodbye.
EP
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 11:49 am by Ernie Palladino. 
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Ernie Palladino
Now there’s a name from the past…Ray Handley!!!!
He has to be out of football these days. After he left, he hasn’t been seen or heard from. Not that i’m complaining. Any idea what he’s doing? Probably still annoyed at Russ Salzberg….
Ernie,
Thanks for the re-cap!!! But did you have to bring up that night-mare Handley! I don’t care what he’s doing as long as it doesn’t involve being on any football field!
How about now with your internet connection we have a web-cast from your new diggs! This way us lil people can check it out also!!! We can all start over together!!!!