SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. s03

LENGTH: 504 words

HEADLINE: CONE THE NEWEST BLEACHER CREATURE;
FORMERPITCHER JOINS THE ROWDIES

SOURCE: The Record

BYLINE: TIM LEONARD, Staff Writer

DATELINE: NEW YORK

BODY:
David Cone didn't want to sit in a luxury box or some fat-cat seat behind the dugout with a phalanx of security shielding him. If Cone was going to attend a baseball game, he wanted to be one of the masses. In Yankee Stadium, that means the right-field bleachers. Cone attended the Yankees¬ home opener dressed not in pinstripes or road grays, but in a brown leather jacket, a brown shirt, jeans, and a black cap.

"I just wanted to be a fan and take in a game and watch the game from the stands," Cone said. "To me, there's only one place to be: the bleachers. For my first Yankee game in the stands, I wanted to sit in the bleachers. " The idea was all Cone's. After a career that featured stops with the Mets, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays, Cone has become a reluctant fan. He had hopes of signing with the Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox, but nothing materialized. So he became the most famous resident of the bleachers instead.

"There's nothing like direct interaction with the fans. The cowbell is a little louder when it's in your ear," Cone said, referring to the ever-present bell that is struck to rally fans or celebrate anything positive for the home team. "I'm content to be a fan right now. " Naturally, the Bleacher Creatures made him an instant honorary member without a roll call vote.

Cone stood above the tunnel that separates Section 37 from Section 39, patiently signing autographs on ticket stubs, caps, jerseys, programs, newspapers, and even dollar bills. Fans packed around him, ignoring what was happening on the field. The logjam made it virtually impossible for fans to reach their seats.

"I know he's a legend, but I've got to get to my seat," said one fan, a few minutes before the first pitch.

Reaction to Cone's presence wasn't entirely positive. After all, the right-hander did pitch for the hated Red Sox last season. Several anti-Boston chants were directed at Cone, who pitched well last season after a disastrous 2000 in his final season with the Yankees. And, as one fan said, "He's holding up the line. " Before Cone found his way to his seat, he was given the honor of starting the traditional roll call that he has heard so many times from the pitcher's mound. After Andy Pettitte threw the first pitch of the game, Cone wound up and belted out a "Yyyoooo, Bernieeeee" to get the attention of center fielder Bernie Williams as the fans chanted his name. Williams waved and the Bleacher Creatures moved around the field, giving their first roll call salutes to Jason Giambi, Robin Ventura, and Rondell White, before giving Cone what probably was his last.

Cone shook his head no and tried to get them to stop. That wasn't going to happen. The bleachers are legendary for their raucous, occasionally profane chants. When its denizens aren't heckling opposing players, they turn their attention to the patrons sitting in the right-field box seats. Cone even joined in on one of those chants.

LOAD-DATE: April 8, 2002