Former Baseball Stars that Sell Food in Major League Stadiums

Fans all around the country love getting autographs from their favorite sports stars. Too often these days though you have to pay to get near those stars, and then possibly pay for the autograph as well. It's different with former stars. Some of these former baseball players love the sport and remain active even though they aren't playing.

No, these former stars aren't coaches or executives with the baseball team they love. Instead they are out there with the rest of the vendors and they are selling food to the average baseball fan. These former baseball players are very visible at their stands in the stadium, and I have seen many of them give autographs for free to people standing in line for food. What a refreshing change from the athletes of today that want sometimes over $100 for an autograph. So who are these former star players and where can you find them?

Boog Powell runs Boog's Barbecue at Camden Yards, which is the Baltimore Orioles home stadium. Boog is well known still around town, and he can be seen on a routine basis at his stand at Camden Yards giving out free autographs. Even better, as an Orioles fan I can confirm the barbecue he serves is very good. Boog played baseball in the major leagues from 1959-1971 for the Orioles.

Greg Luzinski also has a barbecue stand in a stadium where he played baseball. Greg Luzinski's stand is called Bull's BBQ and is located in the Philadelphia Philles home stadium known as Citizen's Bank Park. Luzinski played for the Phillies from 1970-80 and finished his career with the Chicago White Sox from 1980-84.

Luis Tiant played for six different teams during his career that ran from 1964-1982. He has a stand in Fenway Park where he played, it is known as El Tiante and along with the other players on this list can be seen at his place of business.

Larry Dierker was a pitcher for the Houston Astros for all but one year of his major league career that lasted from 1964 to 1977. His stand at Houston's Minute Maid Park is known as Larry's Big Bamboo.

Manny Sanguillen is best known as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which he played for during 12 out of his 13 seasons in major league baseball. His stand is another barbecue stand known as Manny's BBQ and is located in Pittsburgh's PNC Park at North Shore.

There is no guarentee you will see these five players when you visit their food stand at the stadium it is located at, but the chances are high that you will. Keep in mind that these players love the game and will usually give you an autograph even if you don't purchase something from the stand. What a refreshing relief from the baseball stars of today who expect over $100 many times just to give you the privelege of receiving their name written on a souvenir you provide.