No Playoff Games for "Wally the Beer Man"

"Wally the Beer Man", literally an institution at Minneapolis, Mn. sporting events won't be selling beer at Target Field during the baseball playoffs this year. The 76 year old who has been working as a vendor for over 40 years goofed up at Target Field for the first time in his 40 year career by selling beer to a minor on Thur. Sept.30,2010, costing him a suspension from vending at Target Field during the upcoming baseball playoffs.

The Minnesota Twins confirmed that 8 beer vendors and concession workers, including" Wally the Beer Man", were cited for selling alcohol to minors during a sting that was conducted by the Minneapolis licensing bureau at Target Field. City inspectors used underage shoppers to monitor compliance with local liquor laws. The 8 vendors who incurred the violations have all been suspended through the playoffs and possibly beyond.

Sportservice, the company who hires and manages the vendors and concession workers at Target Field take alcohol service very seriously and regret that these violations occurred. All the associates who sell alcohol are required to take alcohol awareness training and must sign a sheet stating that they are aware of the alcohol policy at Target Field so this was quite a surprise to Sportservice, according to their spokesman.

"Wally the Beer Man'", said he just wasn't his sharp self and at the moment he wasn't on his toes when he failed to card the 19 year old male who he sold the beer to. He took total responsibility for the incident.

Since the suspension news broke, support has sprouted up on both Facebook and Twitter and "Wally the Beer Man" will not have to stay home and watch the baseball playoffs on TV. A downtown Minneapolis bar has hired Wally to sell beer at their bar. He was also selling beer outside of a local bar in the area on Sat. afternoon during the Twins game. Although this is a different venue then Wally is used to, he will still be able to enjoy the spirit of the baseball playoffs the Minnesota Twins worked so hard to reach.

Despite the sympathy one may feel for "Wally the Beer Man", a kind and gentle soul, underage drinking is a major problem throughout the nation and needs to be controlled. Unfortunately this one incident caused a devoted, hardworking gentleman to lose a job he dearly loved.

Sources: WCCO News.com
KSTP news.com
personal opinion