What’s in a Name? A Series Ticket
The woman in Row 1, Seat 9, at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night was named JANE HELLER. So was the woman in Row 1, Seat 8.
The Jane Heller in Seat 9 (and above, left) was the Jane Heller who wrote ”Name Dropping,” a novel about two women with the same name that was published this year by St. Martin’s Press. To minimize the confusion here, let the record show that the two women in the ”Name Dropping” book are both named Nancy Stern. Mercifully, for the sake of this item, not Jane Heller.
The Jane Heller in Seat 8 was a banker whose clients include the principal owner of the Yankees, GEORGE M. STEINBRENNER 3rd, and MARTHA STEWART. She is the one who invited Jane Heller (the author) to sit in the same section of Yankee Stadium as MAYOR RUDOLPH W. GIULIANI and his son, ANDREW; BUD SELIG, the commissioner of baseball; DENZEL WASHINGTON; SARAH JESSICA PARKER and her husband, MATTHEW BRODERICK; and THE REV. JESSE JACKSON.
The two Jane Hellers had had an e-mail exchange several months ago in which Ms. Heller (the banker) said that she had all the other Ms. Heller’s books — and also had the best seats at Yankee Stadium.
That was several months ago.
”When it got to be the post-season,” Ms. Heller (the author) said, ”I thought, this would be a good time to hit her up for a couple of tickets. She said, ‘Saturday is taken, but how about Sunday?’ ”
So they chatted with the likes of DEREK JETER and PAUL O’NEILL in the on-deck circle and traded stories about themselves, including the one about how Ms. Heller (the banker) came to be where she was.
”When my son was 2, he said to me, ‘Mommy, you should get the Yankees,’ ” she said. ”I started calling on the Yankees. One day, George had a problem at Chemical Bank. He said, ‘Get that girl who keeps coming up here.’ It’s been almost 26 years. I’ve been his private banker all that time and still am the private banker to the Yankees.”
Ms. Heller (the author) said that Ms. Heller (the banker) asked when her next book would be out. ”April,” the author said. ”I’m thinking about opening day.”
Confessions of a She-Fan 
Well I’ll try not to drop any names here, but the Phillies had as many hits in 2 innings, and more runs in those first 2 innings today than the Yankees did thru 9 innings… funny how some days are just like that…. 🙂
-peter
Phillies Outside
Interesting story Jane! Great work, as usual. I really wish you could have been there, it truly was amazing:
http://martelli.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/04/opening-day-at-yankee-stadium-a-wonderful-experience.html
Good for the Phillies, Peter. I’m thrilled for them. 🙂
I guess that means you were there yesterday, A.J.? I’ll have to stop by and get your impressions of the festivities/game. It must have been quite a day.
That is amazing. I’d love to have another “me” with the best seats in Yankee Stadium (lucky you Jane!!!). Funny enough, my ex-girlfriend and I both had a white cat named “mimoso” (no tickets to the postseason, but a lot of good moments with the cats). Speaking of good moments, I still have faith in Javi and I‘m sure he’ll find his moment and rebound. The season is young. I’m starting a blog on my own Jane and I’d be honoured if you could drop by and take a look jamesbuxton.mlblogs.com).
Good night to everybody, and let’s dream for a win tomorrow.
Mets could have had this guy Piniero…doesn’t Piniero go well with Pinstripes though? Maybe the Angels don’t miss Lackey so much afterall. 😛 But it’s amazing Cano can hit .382 but still can’t get that runner in from 3rd. I admit Vasqueeze wasn’t terrible, but again he has to remember he’s in the AL East now, not the NL East. Booing on his second start though, that’s not cool. He could have been having post traumatic stress? At least they made it exciting at the end, kind of makes you miss the Melk man and his deliveries. Funny story about Martha, who would want to sit next to her though? 😮
Okay, its official…I’m having my name legally changed to Jane Heller. LOL. I don’t know how you do it, but your blog guarantees to make me smile even after a loss. Thank you.
I agree Vasquez was not that bad…I think he’s heading in the right direction. But just like with A-Rod, the fans are not going to get off his back until he shows them something positive.
We’re in 3rd place in our division but its because we have played one less game than The Jays and The Rays – I know its too early to be looking at the standing but its hard not to do so. The team has a good mind set and I’m looking forward to a good run for the rest of the month. GO YANKEES!!!
Never knew how “connected” you are “and that’s a good thing”! You got to bond again with this other Jane Heller and get into those seats again and tell us about the “spread” that is included with the seats.
Do I see “Name Dropping – The Sequel” in your future? Looking forward to Huuuuughes’ first start tonight. If we keep taking 2 out of 3 in every series, it would be just fine.
Jane
Great post as always Jane! I agree that Javy shouldn’t have been booed, but I also admit to cursing him at work while I was “watching” the game on Game Day. Courtney has the emails to prove it. I think he will come around. I think all it will take is a few well pitched games and the fans will embrace him.
I hope Hughes has a good game today. I would love to see him emerge as a great pitcher. I love homegrown Yankees. Speaking of which I think Cano is off to a good start this year.
You want me to whack her for ya, Jane!?! LOL
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Damn I need a new name.
Peg
So that is where my awesome seats went…my evil twin stole them! lol
And I agree about the booing…I really think it is counterproductive.
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/
There’s another Paul Lebowitz running around. He’s an outdoor writer or something. My guess is I’m better than he is. I think you’re a better writer than the banker person. We may need to eliminate those using our names. Unless we need them for protective purposes and deflecting blame for hell(er)raising.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
Jane,
Better to have Martha in your seat, than you in Martha’s former seat (cell). For the record, I think Martha was railroaded on that deal. She paid a price for being a celebrity.
Phil Hughes needs to be sharp today and the Yanks need to get Kazmir up to 60+ pitches by the third inning. Let’s get to their bullpen early.
So…you’ve been HOLDING OUT on us, haven’t you, Ms. Heller? Rubbing elbows with the REAL Hoi Polloi…oy!!
You do have a surprise up your sleeve almost every day. Let’s hope that Javy has a few pleasant ones for us in the very near future. Note how espn.com noted the boos & booze from da Bronx, and how it’s Part of The Package, Mister V — EVERYBODY’s been booed, from the Babe to Joe D to Mickey and on down — it’s Noo Yawk! Think that Philly has exclusive domain over the Boo Birds? Gotta thicken yer skin a few layers, Javy!
And speaking of Philly — they do have a great team, and may well three-peat in the NL — but seriously, Phillie fans — when are you going to start playing MAJOR LEAGUE teams? The Nats & the Astros don’t count!!
James, I think it’s counterproductive to boo Vazquez this early, but that’s just me. Will definitely check out your blog. Glad you started one!
I have to tell you, seindsfeld, that when the Yanks were trying to come back from 5-1 yesterday and they scored a couple of runs, I did think of Melky and how he might have set the stage for PIE. But hopefully somebody else – or lots of somebody elses – will step up and give us some exciting walkoffs. I don’t think I could sit next to Martha. I’d be afraid I’d squirt mustard all over my shirt and she’d lecture me about how to get it off.
Who knew a novel about two people with the same name would lead to World Series tickets for me, Diane? Such a crazy story, but I was very grateful for those seats and that experience. I haven’t even glanced at the standings. Not once. I figure it’s too early and we’ve been winning series, so it feels like everything’s going well. Sure, I’d feel better if Vazquez won a ball game and Tex started hitting. But it’ll all straighten out. Right?
Actually, John, we didn’t partake of the spread that night. The Other Jane Heller took Michael and me to the Yankees’ dining room and we had steaks (and she had a martini) before the game. I’d love to re-bond with her, but I think she figured out I was never going to borrow money to buy a private plane or something. 🙂
Ladyjane, if Miramax, the company that bought the rights to Name Dropping, had made the movie, we’d be looking at a sequel by now. But, as with so many projects, it died in development hell. And yes, looking forward to Huuuughes tonight. I’d love to see him get a “W.”
I’ve cursed Vazquez (and others) plenty, but I’m just not a boo-er of Yankees when I go to games, cheshirecat. I hate seeing them upset, because it’s not as if they played poorly on purpose! Yeah, Cano looks fantastic, hitting the ball hard and even talking a walk here and there. Very happy about that.
You don’t have to whack her, Jeff, although you’re very chivalrous to suggest it. Just remind her that I’m the bigger fan!
I bet you have the same name as someone famous, Peg. Do a google search. It’s amazing what – and who – turns up.
Counterproductive, Jenn. That’s just the word I used above. It seems to me that booing doesn’t motivate the player but rather makes him feel even worse about himself, which can’t help his performance. Is he really going to try harder because people booed?
I’m sure there’s more than one other Paul Lebowitz, Paul. Yes, I’m probably a better writer than the other Jane Heller, but she has the best seats in the house at Yankee Stadium and is friends with Jeter. I’d swap lives with her right now.
So true, jojovanb. At least I wasn’t serving a sentence in the Bedford women’s correctional facility! (I wonder if she got to watch or listen to Yankee games in there?) It’ll be interesting to see if the Yanks can work Kazmir’s pitch count up as they usually do, or if he’s gotten better at throwing strikes. Should be a great game.
I read that espn column, Dave (thanks for sending the link). And while I understand that everyone’s gotten booed, even the greats of the game, it makes me sad to hear people booing their own. When I was at the ALDS in ’07 and people were booing Wang mercilessly, I stood up and yelled at the fans behind me and told them to shut up!
Hi Jane & fellow baseball fans…
Whenever Yankee fans boo their own players I cringe. What is wrong with these people? This is your team and I feel you should support the players for better or for worse. Do people seriously think the players want to go out and have a bad day ??? (Well ..maybe Pavano could have cared less as long as he got his paycheck..haha). Does booing do any good? Isn’t it more productive to stand behind your players ..not make them feel worse than they already do? Sometimes Yankee fans truly amaze me and NOT IN A GOOD WAY !!! I have never booed a player in my life …not even an opposing player (I came close at the ASG at Yankee Stadium when Paps came in after after he claimed he should close the game instead of Mo..but…I even restrained myself then). I hoping Javy is going to be just fine once he gets that first win under his belt. The Yankees didn’t do a thing to help him out yesterday. It would have been nice if they got a few runs. It’s only a few games…it’s NOT 2004 …it’s 2010 and Javy deserves a little patience on the part of the fans. I’m in his corner and I’ll be cheering him on whenever he pitches. He’s a YANKEE !!!
Jane ..I think I told you that I know the “other” Jane Heller too. I’ve spoken with her a few times because she is also my company’s private banker (I work there …I wish it was MY company…lol). Unfortunately I don’t know her that well to get top seating …sob sob. We deal mostly with her staff. That’s ok …I know THE Jane Heller (YOU) and that’s enough for me … :o).
I’ll be at the game tonight ..here’s hoping for a nice start
by young Master Hughes.
Go Yankees 2010 !!!
Peggy, I don’t remember you telling me you knew the “other Jane Heller.” How funny. She must be the private banker to everyone on the planet! On the subject of booing, I understand that people get frustrated and need to vent and show their displeasure. But I agree that it does nothing to help the player. Have I booed players on other teams? You bet. I booed Gary Sheffield when he came back to the Stadium as a Tiger, after that whole incident where he called Torre a racist. I booed Kenny Lofton for agreeing with Shef on that. But no Yankees. Only in front of my TV where they can’t hear me. 🙂 Have fun tonight and get us a win, OK?
You look like John Franco, Mike? I’d play that to the hilt in NY. Free hero sandwiches! Free everything! HAHA. Yes, I guess Javy will have to grow a thicker skin. Either that or start pitching better.
well…If you’re going to have anyone whacked, just don’t do it near my house. I can do without the traffic jam. I once got a free hero sandwich because they thought I was John Franco! LoL!
NYC boo’d Mantle, Jeter, Mo and Johan Santana on his first day here. I don’t agree with it. But Javy better develope thicker skin real quick and learn to tune out the bedeviling Bronx Cheer. softie!
mike BTB
I hate the booing – hate it, hate it, hate it! I think the people that do it are “Yankee-come-lately” fans who only are rooting for a team they think will win. They never were passionate about Horace Clark! They are not baseball fans. Baseball fans cheer their own team and cheer the other team if they something very well.
I will admit to booing at a game once. It was at Camden Yard in 2000, Braves vs. Orioles. John Rocker came in in relief. I wasn’t booing Rocker’s baseball, it was after he’d said all those racist remarks.
Javy needs our support now!
Melissa
Melissa, I can understand that booing is part if the game – Jeter always says he gets a charge out of being booed. I just can’t bring myself to do it to my own team – not at the ballpark where they could hear it. I can only imagine how I’d feel if a stadium full of people booed me. It’s hard enough to read a negative review of a book!
I think they should have a Yankee’s Jane Heller Day with everyone in the NYC area getting FREE Club Level seating for the night with proper Identification….Maybe a pre-game cocktail hour at the Hard Rock might be in order too.
Seriously, I know the Yankees were smitten with Joel Pinero before finally setting their sights a bit lower into the “Hotlanta” region and plucking Javier Vasquez from the Braves clutches.
So far that trade looks like a mutual bust with both players going into a series of respective tailspin to begin the season.
Guess it is a tale of “What might have been…” if the Yankees had been more complied to follow their hunch anf offer the world to Pinero.
But it is also only two starts, and people have been known to rebound or even adjust and come out again like gangbusters.
And Lady Jane….You have the advantage…Your counterpart never got to meet me!
Sun will shine again and the flowers will bloom, even on the sidewalks of the Bronx.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Peggy, I hope you check in again today because I totally agree with you. I have never understood the concept of boo’ing your own team; especially a team we love as much as our Yankees. To me its about support and cheering them on to the finish line. I hated what the fans did to A-Rod regardless of whether or not he deserved it. I’d like to know how many of us could function at our chosen professions if we were being watched by 50,000 people, all sharing their opinions of our performance. Also, Peggy, regarding the Tommy James event at the book store – it doesn’t look like he is planning to perform. I don’t know if that changes your desire to attend or not. Even if there is no plan for him to sing, he might burst into song anyway.
Excited about Hughes-ee (as Girardi calls him) starting tonight, Jane. Want to see if his new pitch is what he needs to put him in as a solid starter…maybe #4…GO YANKEES!!!
I should explain myself better. The booing I hate is when people boo for their own team. (Actually, I don’t think anyone should boo players, but I have very high standards of behavior!)
There are players I can understand people booing: Manny, Shef, and others with bad attitudes, Arod (due to the steroid thing, not when he’s not hitting!), Clemens for his showboating. I could see Yankee fans booing Jimmy Rollins for his WS prediction.
There are players in the game, that to me, are sort of above booing. I don’t understand why opposing fans boo Jeter. Here is a guy who has played with class, grace, and dignity and is nice to reporters AND his parents! He’s such a role model!!
Bernie Williams was a non booable player. Tony Gwinn, Cal Ripken Jr, Joe Mauer, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine.
And has anyone ever booed Mariano? I can’t imagine it.
Any other players anyone can think of who are above boos?
Melissa
You make an excellent point, Renegade. The other Jane Heller never had the privilege of meeting you and I did! So there! If Pineiro continues to pitch all year like he did yesterday, I’ll wish the Yankees had gone after him and not Vazquez. But it’s too early to know. Lots of baseball left to play.
Diane, I agree with you on the booing – it turned out to be a juicy topic here today. And so far in tonight’s game, Hughes has been fantastic. (No jinx.)
People boo Jeter in opposing parks because he’s the face of the Yankees, Melissa, not because he isn’t a great, classy player. He just smiles. Doesn’t bother him. But yeah, there are guys who should be totally unbooable, including the ones you named.
I have to admit, I boo the other team, especially the red sox. It’s part of the fun, especially when they announce their names. I don’t really boo bad team, like if the Yankees are playing the Orioles and I’m there it’s like, what’s the point? But I don’t think I ever booed the Yankees or any other team I like. I usually just hang my head in shame or scream obscenities in the privacy of my home. The most disgusting ever was, and sorry if someone mentioned this, when Yankee fans booed A-rod in the first game for dropping a foul ball. This was when he was going through a lot of issues. It was pretty nasty, and couldn’t have helped. And Melissa, there was one time I heard people booing Mariano, I forget when, but he was struggling and I remember Michael Kay was pretty dumbfounded.
That’s more like what I do, seindsfeld – scream obscenities in the privacy of my home. LOL. I have a vague memory of the Mo episode you’re talking about. It boggles the mind, doesn’t it?
Do you bang and throw things too Jane? XD I remember the 5th game of the ALCS last year, I think I almost destroyed my house when the Angels came back. It’s all a blur…except that we won eventually 😀
I haven’t left many comments this week, so I was not able to congratulate you guys on humiliating my team last weekend. Of course, I hold out hope that we can return the favor later in the season. We’re heading to Boston this weekend. I have a feeling that the Sox, Rays, and Yanks will all be beating each other up all season long.
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com
I’ve stopped throwing things, seindsfeld. As I wrote in my book, I once threw a piece of cheese at my husband when the Yankees were losing and that was my rock bottom. So now I try to behave.
The Yankees didn’t exactly humiliate the Rays, raysfanboy. Your guys are always tough. We just prevailed two out of three times. I agree that the three teams will be at each other’s throats all year long.
Oh yeah! And it landed in your husband’s beard? lol XD I’d still like to see you screaming obscenities, maybe you can put it on youtube 😛 Hopefully not though as it would mean the Yankees aren’t playing well 😐
Me screaming obscenities is not a pretty sight, seindsfeld, although there are times when my husband cracks up. But you’re right: if I’m screaming, it means the Yanks aren’t doing well and we don’t want that!
hahahahahha oh my… that must feel terrible! 😉 Two Jane Hellers! One is Martha Stewart’s bestie and the other is an incredible blogger/author!
Sorry Ms Stewart Jeter’s taken haha.
I’m glad that Pinero did well for us. It was his first start of the season and my first time watching him! :D. I’m looking forward to another series with the Yankees!
http://mimi.mlblogs.com
Pineiro was fantastic, Mimi. Really impressive. I’m sure you’re glad the team signed him. And yes, there are two Jane Hellers. Actually, I’m sure there are dozens of us!