You’ve no doubt seen or heard about Detroit’s singing hot dog guy, Charley Marcuse. The vendor who was supposedly fired for being anti-ketchup. He wasn’t. He was fired because he was flat out mean to people, me included.
But first, his story for those unfamiliar.
Charley Marcuse, 33, had been a hot dog vendor for the Detroit Tigers since 1999. He was good at his job and regularly got prime locations behind home plate and along both lines. His routine included belting out “Hot Dogs” in an opera-like voice. It was amusing. It was fun. Kids liked it and parents were happy for the distraction.
Charley was generally well-liked.
He was also a champion of the mustard-only movement, regularly joking around with customers who asked for ketchup on their hot dogs.
But over time, Charley’s act wore thin, both on the organization and customers. The Detroit News described his interaction with customers as combative. I would argue it was much worse.
Charley believed he was larger than life and as a result, crossed the line into being…well, a dick.
I was at a game a few weeks ago, standing along the third base line. I had hot dog in hand and far too much mustard on my face. I was out of napkins. Charley happened to walk by so I asked him for one.
(this is not verbatim)
Me: “Hey man, can I get a napkin?”
Singing Hot Dog Douche: “No.”
Me: “What?”
Singing Hot Dog Douche: “Buy a hot dog and I’ll give you a napkin.”
Me: “I already have a hot dog.”
Singing Hot Dog Douche: “You’re hurting my business, I’m trying to sell hot dogs here.”
No joke, I looked him, he looked at me—there was an awkward few seconds. Then I simply reached over and took some napkins from him. He walked away shaking his head.
Sure, this was a brief snapshot of Charley’s 14-year career with the Tigers. But it was happening far too often. There’s a reason you don’t see a “Save the Singing Hot Dog Campaign.” There’s a reason there’s no uproar from Tigers fans. People were sick of him, people were sick of his attitude.
This had nothing to do with ketchup and everything to do with a guy who took himself too seriously.
The Tigers were happy to see him go. Frankly, so am I.