Posted on 06/10/2003 11:48:26 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
Oh, sure, The Beer Man says he's conservative. And he has all the "right" positions on all the "right" issues.
Abortion? Solidly pro-life and a regular volunteer at a South Carolina women's clinic.
Government? Its only function is to protect citizens from foreign and domestic enemies.
Taxes? Start with no new ones, and minimize or eliminate the ones we already have.
And a new ballpark for his beloved Savannah Sand Gnats? Not if means a tax increase.
Conservatively speaking, he's got all the "right" moves.
But where's he stand on that most troubling issue of the last 30 years?
No, not busing or race relations or terrorism.
Baseball's designated hitter.
"Oh, I'm opposed to it," The Beer Man says.
As far as he's concerned, the DH removes a key element of baseball strategy, all in the name of increased scoring.
Clearly he's earned his conservative stripes.
"I'm like most people," The Beer Man says, "I was a liberal in college and have grown more and more conservative as I've grown older.
These days, he's a devoted disciple of Patrick Buchanan, the conservative columnist and commentator who ran for president in 2000 -- and lost badly. Short of Francisco Franco, you can't be much more conservative than Buchanan.
Or The Beer Man.
Fan favorite
The Beer Man's given name is Frank Dinan. You may have seen him at Sand Gnats games at Grayson Stadium. He's the gregarious beer vendor who knows most everybody. And most everybody knows him -- if not by name, surely by face, and most certainly by beverage.
He's hard to miss as he climbs the heights, depths and width of Grayson, delivering cool ones to the thirsty masses. His quick wit, kind words and welcome wisdom have made him an icon at the ballpark.
Players and coaches come and go, but Frank's always there.
He's changed little over the 10 years he's been selling beer and trading barbs at Grayson. He stands about 5-foot-7. He's mostly bald on top, with neatly cropped, graying hair at the temples. On game days, he wears a T-shirt, shorts, athletic socks pulled up to his calves and tennis shoes.
He's in his 50s, fit and trim with a physique hardened from toting 15-pound tubs of iced beer for three hours a day, 70 days a year.
He's well read and well spoken. Ask his opinion, and he'll offer it. He's persuasive without being confrontational.
For example, he's quick to rally around the Confederate battle flag, arguing the importance of maintaining our historic symbols.
And this from a guy born in Pennsylvania.
"I'm a damn Yankee," he says.
A few years ago he joined the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but had to shake the family tree pretty hard to find a Mississippi private to make him eligible.
FOF (Friends of Frank)
Last week, the main topic of conversation was Sammy Sosa, the Chicago Cubs outfielder caught using an illegal bat. But rather than slamming Sammy, Frank talked about a minor league team that offered special discounts to fans named Sammy, Sosa and Corky.
One section away, William Jones was sitting with his wife, Jean. He stopped Frank to ask what he thought about the NBA Finals.
"I think San Antonio's got too much talent for New Jersey," Frank replied.
After a moment of small talk, Frank moved on. The couple never ordered a beer. They were tying on a couple of Cokes. Still, Frank treated them the same as if they'd bought a bunch of brewskies.
His is a "people" business. Once he meets you, Frank remembers you -- and your brew of choice. He's built such a rapport with fans that one local athletic team named itself "Frank." Now that's homage to The Beer Man.
"Frank" the team competed in ultimate Frisbee, a fast-paced game that's a combination of soccer and football. The name was the idea of Savannah elementary school teacher Heidi Schaffner.
"I had seen T-shirts that had 'Frank The Beer Man' on them," she said. "I thought, 'What a great name.' "
Frank The Beer Man even showed up to watch Frank the Frisbee team play.
"I couldn't believe those young people would name their team after me," Frank said.
There's a simple explanation, though.
It ain't about politics.
It's about the person.
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