The owner of the popular Brooklyn pizzeria Lucali, Mark Lacono, recently made headlines for turning down a reservation from the Los Angeles Dodgers, citing his unwavering loyalty to the New York Yankees. A native Brooklynite and lifelong Yankees fan, Lacono refused the Dodgers’ request for a 30-person reservation on the eve of Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, as he could not bring himself to serve the enemy team at his restaurant. Lacono’s strong allegiance to the Yankees prevailed over potential business opportunities, as he made it clear that he was not willing to compromise his principles for the Dodgers.
Despite the Dodgers’ representative’s understanding of Lacono’s decision, the rejection of the reservation made waves among the Yankees community. On Tuesday night, Yankees players were reportedly talking about the incident, with one insider jokingly suggesting that any restaurant serving the Yankees’ opponents should have its “NYC residence revoked.” The refusal to accommodate the Dodgers at Lucali highlighted the passionate loyalty that fans and businesses have for their home team, particularly in high-stakes situations like the World Series.
While Lucali remained a Dodgers-free zone, one Dodgers player did find a place to dine in New York City. Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ first baseman, was seen enjoying dinner at the Soho restaurant Emilio’s Ballato on the off-night of the World Series. Emilio Vitolo, the founder of the restaurant, mentioned that Freeman frequents the eatery when in New York, despite the fact that the restaurant is known for its connections to the Yankees. Vitolo expressed his neutrality in serving both Yankees and Dodgers players, emphasizing his desire to see the Yankees succeed on the field.
The playful rivalry between sports teams and their fans often spills over into the restaurant scene, as seen in the contrasting attitudes of owners like Lacono and Vitolo. Lacono’s firm stance against serving Dodgers players reflects a deep-seated devotion to the Yankees that resonates with many New York residents, especially during major sporting events like the World Series. On the other hand, Vitolo’s inclusive approach to welcoming players from both teams demonstrates a more laid-back attitude towards team loyalties, focusing instead on providing a positive dining experience for all patrons, regardless of their affiliations.
As the Dodgers and Yankees continued to battle it out in the World Series, the storyline of the pizzeria owner’s team loyalty added an extra layer of intrigue to the ongoing competition. With the Dodgers holding a 3-1 lead over the Yankees, the stakes were high for both teams and their respective supporters. While the outcome of the World Series remained uncertain, the incident at Lucali served as a reminder of the passion and loyalty that sports fans bring to every game, both on the field and in the local eateries that cater to them. Ultimately, the clash of allegiances and rivalries added an element of excitement to the baseball showdown, showcasing the unbreakable ties that bind fans to their beloved teams.
