Sports stats



NYPL Brooklyn Cyclones

Cyclones fan strikes out on chance for $1,000,000

July 14, 2004 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Brooklyn Cyclones News Release


Brooklyn, NY, July 14, 2004 -Last night at KeySpan Park, the Brooklyn Cyclones gave their millionth fan the chance to win $1,000,000, courtesy of KeySpan by throwing three baseballs (in three tries) through a target located at home plate.

The lucky fan was Brooklyn native Joseph Gajdos, a retired machine shop worker and a Brooklyn native. After drawing Gajdos ticket stub out of a ball bag in the second inning, Steven Zelkowitz, President of KeySpan's Energy Assets and Supply Group, announced Gajdos was the winner to the roar of the crowd. As the fifth inning came to a close, Gajdos took the field and made his "pitch" to win the million dollars. The famous Dodgers Symphony was on hand blaring their trumpets to set the stage for the drama that was about to unfold. Unfortunately, Gajdos came up short all three times. To his credit, Gajdos was just happy to get the chance at the million dollars.

"I'm honored," said Gajdos. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I was looking at my ticket when they read out the numbers and as I looked number by number, I turned to my friends and said, 'I won.' They couldn't believe it."

Joseph Gajdos, was born in Coney Island, moved to Bay Ridge when he was eight years old, and now resides in Staten Island.

Although he missed the million dollar target, Gajdos won a trip for two to Mets Spring Training at Port St. Lucie, a Cyclones jersey with the number '1,000,000' on the back, an autographed team baseball and a prize package from other Cyclones sponsors, including a free night at the Mohegan Sun.

"Being able to reach one million fans at just the start of our fourth season is a tribute to the loyalty and passion of the Brooklyn fans," said Steve Cohen, General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones. "We were happy to share this night with those fans, and we are looking forward to our next million."

The Cyclones have been setting attendance records since their inaugural season in 2001. That year, they broke the New York Penn League attendance record in August and set a new one by the end of the season with 289,381 fans. In 2002, they broke their own record with 317,124 in attendance for the season and they finished 2003 with 307,383. The Cyclones are the only Single A Short Season club ever to draw more than 300,000 fans and the only Short Season club ever to rank in the Minor Leagues' top 10 in average attendance.

The Brooklyn Cyclones are the Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets. The team plays its home games at KeySpan Park, the 7,500-seat stadium in Coney Island. In 2003, the Brooklyn Cyclones completed an exciting season by playing in the league championship series. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Ticket information is obtainable by calling 718-449-TIXS (8497), by visiting the team's website at www.brooklyncyclones.com, or by calling the Shea Stadium box office at 718-507-TIXX (8499).

Check out the Brooklyn Cyclones Statistics

• Discuss this story on the New York-Penn League message board...

New York-Penn League Stories from July 14, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central