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CNN Sunday Morning
New York Army Reservist Taken Away From Civilian Life as Mascot to Be Public Affairs Officer
Aired April 21, 2002 - 07:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What's the name of the mascot for the New York Mets? Mr. Met, of course. But here's a tougher one. Who plays Mr. Met? The team doesn't give out that information. And actually, there's more than one person. But who is one of the Mr. Mets for the previous three seasons and where is he now?
His name is Lee Reynolds. Major Lee Reynolds assigned to Guantanamo Naval Base, where definitely a new ballgame.
Major Reynolds is a New York Army reservist who has been taken away from his civilian life to be a public affairs officer, where he must deal with reporters to cover the detainee story. The job can be perilous, particularly working with media, but he says being a mascot who roamed the stands in Shea Stadium New York could be dangerous, too.
MAJOR LEE REYNOLDS: You can get some people who forget that there's a person inside the costume and like to shots at you, like to hit you or push you around, but yes, those are the drawbacks. But as I said, not as -- it's sometimes as dangerous, yes.
Sunbird, can we get a copy of that made, please and just make one copy for now. And we'll give it to the New York crew here.
FRANKEN: Possibly the toughest part of Major Reynolds job is dealing with all the stupid Mr. Met one liners and the inane questions. No, he does not have his uniform down here, not that one anyway. And no, he does not plan to entertain the detainees.
REYNOLDS: Sometimes Mr. Met will carry an air cannon and shoots T-shirts out into the crowd, but that's about it. It's just waving.
FRANKEN: And yes, Major Reynolds has plenty of time to reflect about his life in the civilian world.
REYNOLDS: When I'm in costume and I do pictures with people, I'm standing there sometimes and my arm around the people and waiting and waiting and smiling and smiling. It's like I can't hold the smile much longer. And I realize I'm in costume. Nobody can see me smile.
FRANKEN: Sometimes the major's mind does wander.
(on camera): There was that unfortunate flashback incident. A reporter visited wearing a New York Yankee's cap. And Major Reynolds suddenly started booing him.
REYNOLDS: You got my e-mail address. E-mail me here.
FRANKEN (voice-over): He's not in Queens anymore.
Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay, nowhere near Shea Stadium, Cuba.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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