Friday, April 18, 2014

The Secret Service Almost Took Down Mr. Met

Deleted Scene From 'Taxi Driver'?
OK, this is pretty bizarre. During a 1997 game at Shea Stadium, then-President Bill Clinton was present to honor the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic first MLB game. AJ Mass (who was then portraying the iconic Mr. Met mascot) apparently was venturing a little too close to the Commander-In-Chief. A Secret Service agent walked up to Señor Metropolitan and firmly stated the following, "We have snipers all around the stadium, just in case something were to happen. Like I said, do whatever it is you normally do. But approach the President, and we go for the kill shot. Are we clear?" As he recounts in his cleverly titled book ("Yes, It's Hot In Here"), Mass paused to let the shocking words sink in. The agent then reiterated his warning, "Approach the President, and we go for the kill shot. ARE — WE — CLEAR?" Needless to say, it was perfectly clear at that point to Mr. Met.