Jews in Sports: HORSERADISH HEX

Forty-nine seasons have come and gone since the New York Metropolitans first stumbled onto the Major League Baseball scene in 1962.

It may be difficult to fathom those four National League Pennants, two World Series titles and millions of head-aches that have since passed when Casey Stengel managed the club that couldn’t pitch precisely, mesmerizing fans at the Polo Grounds with its ineptitude on the base-path and on-target throwing failures.

But it has.

Sharing the diamond memories and nightmares with his Mets heroes is the first president and organizer of the original New York Metropolitans fan club, Marc Gold.

It doesn’t matter whether his Flushing lads are flailing at pop-ups or firing errorless baseballs, Marc still roots for the Mets today as passionately as when they last won the World Series in 1986.

Along with his cousins and brother, Marc, 63, is co-owner of Gold Pure Food Products in Hempstead, N.Y.

Most famous for its horseradish – four variations – Gold’s also produces Ketchup, Duck and Wasabi sauces, among other products.

There’s a method to his madness even in the nourishment industry. Back in 2002, Marc actually wed the Queens club with his products – consequently, a bobblehead.

But, first, he’ll tell you about the rendezvous.

“In 2001, I was approached by the Mets for a sponsorship day featuring a bat bag for Little Leaguers,” said Gold. “When the-then Mets v.p. Paul Danforth – in charge of sponsorships and advertising – approached me the following year for another give-away day, I knew we would have to feature something different than a bat bag, and the bobblehead was suggested.”

There is more to be said of Bobblehead Bob, and how Marc convinced his partners to go in on the expensive expenditure.

“My brother and cousins told me they wanted nothing to do with this frivolity, calling it my ‘childhood fantasy,’” explained Marc. “The only way they would go along with the bobblehead idea was if it would make financial sense to our company, namely, we would have to get the Number One Met at the time, catcher Mike Piazza, to grace the doll.

Bobblehead dolls have come and gone but what remains constant is the ease of choice with which the Flushing franchise gave – and continues to give – Gold’s when it comes to deciding which player’s likeness graces the statuette.

“The Piazza bobblehead was the only time there was ever discussion with the Mets as whether we would be able to use a specific player or not,” noted Gold. “Since then, the Mets have been gracious in allowing us to use whomever we chose.”

This year’s bobblehead man is injured sophomore first baseman – and Member of The Tribe – Ike Davis. Although he’s currently out of the lineup, it’s hoped that he returns to action before his Doll Day, July 19.

Such player on-field disappearance has allowed mumbling of a so-called Mets “bobblehead curse” to flourish.

Since its inception, each athlete – save for third baseman David Wright in 2006 – who was granted his own likeness wound up in the player doghouse soon-thereafter and didn’t return to pre-bobblehead playing form.

Piazza saw his last productive year in 2002; pitcher John Franco was out of the Mets organization shortly after his bobblehead season; second baseman Kaz Matsui is now playing in his native Japan after bouncing around Major League Baseball for a few seasons; catcher Paul Lo Duca never materialized to be the same spark plug in New York as he was with Los Angeles; this to include other players getting injured, having off-field issues and otherwise not returning to top form.

“We don’t predict the future,” opined Gold. “All we want to do is give a bobblehead to the player we deem ‘most deserving.’ That said, we won’t give it to someone who already received a bobblehead with the Mets even if it wasn’t a Gold’s bobblehead.

Marc, though, will be the first to admit the health benefits of his products and that it may be the secret to players’ longevity, were they to incorporate it into their diet.

“I was asked,” allowed Gold, “if I knew of an elixir to cure the so-called ‘curse.’ The only tonic is the combination of our horseradish with the tomato juice players tend to drink. It’s healthy and has a multitude of vitamins that helps the immune system and overall health sustainability.”

Whether the curse is real or not, the bobbleheads have been, by and large, an overall success. Some have been more interesting; others funny. But the exposure for Gold’s has been unparalleled.

“Our most successful bobblehead was Piazza; the first year we had a Bobblehead Day,” said Gold. “It resounded through the Mets fan base and Mike (Piazza) was on his way to having a wonderful season. The Lo Duca bobblehead was very interesting because it came with a completely removable catcher’s mask, something that isn’t seen on the average doll.

“What makes bobbleheads delightful is its selling piece. Whether I’m giving it to a buyer as a gift or to a child as a souvenir, a bobblehead resonates a lot more than many other team-related items available for fans.”

Gold admits that he doesn’t fear any notions of a curse and so long as there’s the Mets and Gold’s, there will be bobblehead bliss.

“I don’t have any concerns over ‘curses’ or the like,” admitted Gold. “So long as the Mets are willing and we are able, there will be a continued connection between Gold’s products and the Mets franchise.”

Gold’s bobbleheads are the Mets golden standard. There’s no other company giving away such freebie’s today at Citi Field.

When “Davis Tuesday” (July 19) arrives, the hope will be for Ike – and future selected players – not to fall trap to the Flushing Flubs and actually re-live the Amazin’ years!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Marc is a strong supporter of Chabad of West Hempstead and was recently honored by Rabbi Yossi Liberman at its annual dinner.