Marc Chalpin
I’ve met a lot of fans, but Marc Chalpin might be the most dedicated I’ve ever come across. He’s not just part of the Bleacher Creatures—he is the guy leading the roll call in right field, 70+ games a year. This interview gave me chills. From walking into old Yankee Stadium as a kid and feeling like Dorothy in Oz, to chanting “Thank you, Jeter” loud enough for the whole Bronx to hear—Marc doesn’t just love baseball, he lives it. And if you’ve ever wondered what makes Yankee Stadium sacred, well… this guy’s got some stories.
If a fan were to step into Yankee Stadium that’s never been there, what would you tell ’em the experience is like?
I have to talk about the very first time I walked into the old stadium. I was eight years old. It was dark inside, and then you walk through the tunnel and it’s like Dorothy walking into Oz—black and white to color. Just this magical experience. The new stadium doesn’t quite have that same moment, but you still feel the aura. It’s Yankees history. Babe Ruth to Aaron Judge. You feel it.
How did you become a fan?
It was my mom. Roberta Chalpin. She grew up in the Bronx during the Mickey Mantle era. It was passed down through her. She took me to my first game. Oscar Gamble hit a walk-off in the 10th. Years later, he was my coach at Yankees Fantasy Camp. That full-circle moment—it meant everything.
Tell me about the Bleacher Creatures.
The story starts with Ali Ramirez, the original cowbell guy. The Yankees even dedicated a seat to him. Then Tina Lewis came along—queen of the section. Milton Ousland inherited the cowbell. I started going in 1999, and by then, the roll call was already a tradition. It evolved over time—from outfielders to infielders after Tino Martinez asked why they weren’t included. Now, I lead it most games. We chant every position in order, and end with, “Thank you for your participation,” and thirty people yell back, “You’re welcome!”
What’s the vibe like in the section?
It's a dysfunctional Yankee family. We argue, we laugh, we know each other’s nicknames but not always our real names. We’ve been to each other’s weddings. We throw a Christmas party at Yankee Tavern, where Ruth and Gehrig used to drink. We help people find seats. We protect guests when celebrities come. We don’t do the wave. We don’t even chant “Let’s go Yankees” because it sounds too much like “Let’s go Mets.” We say “Here we go Yankees.” That’s us.
What’s it like to be recognized by the players?
It’s wild. Shane Spencer, Mickey Rivers—guys I met through fantasy camp—come out and take pictures with us. Sometimes players will acknowledge us during roll call. We’re fans, just like everyone else, but being consistent, being there—it builds that relationship.
What’s your most memorable moment out there?
Aaron Boone’s home run in 2003. We were losing most of the game, and then—boom—we tie it, and then Boone hits that walk-off. We were celebrating in the bleachers like the team on the field. We dog-piled each other. I missed the actual celebration on the field because we were having our own.
And then there was Jeter’s last game. We started the “Thank you, Jeter” chant in the 7th. We didn’t stop until the whole stadium joined in. That came from us.
Final thoughts?
Look, times change. We’re not as rowdy now, and that’s okay. But we’re still there. We’re still passionate. The best championship is the next one. I haven’t done the roll call in the World Series yet. I’m ready. Let’s go.
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More from Marc Chalpin
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.