Jay-Z and CC Sabathia Play for Dave Mitri’s Fantasy Football Trophies!
The Park Slope artist and installer of travel exhibits for the Natural History Museum reveals his favorite steak fajitas, takeout pizza, and beer list.
Hi! How’s your day going? What are your plans for the long weekend? We’re going to spend a couple nights with friends at their house on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont. They rented a party boat!
In other exciting news: this Thursday, September 5th, is the opening day of the NFL regular season. It’s also the start of fantasy football leagues all over the world — and today’s interview is with someone who knows a thing or two about fantasy football.
Dave Mitri is the brilliant artist and force behind Fantasy Trophies. “The start of it was, in a way, as a joke,” says Dave. In 1992, after winning his fantasy football league, which he still plays in today with childhood friends, Dave sculpted the original Armchair Quarterback in his parents’ garage. When he revealed the final product to his friends, “they went crazy.” It’s been over 30 years since Dave sculpted his first fantasy trophy. Today, he makes trophies for golf, hockey, baseball, basketball, and NASCAR. He’s shipped trophies to all 50 states, as well as many countries overseas, and he knows several celebrities play for his trophies, including Jay-Z, CC Sabathia, Michael Rapaport, and Jesse Itzler.
In today’s issue, Dave talks about his dream for Fantasy Trophies, subway drawings, day job at the American Museum of Natural History, and what he loves about living in Park Slope. He also shares his neighborhood favorites, including an Old Fashioned, authentic steak fajitas, and a can’t-miss park party!
Kelley MacDonald: Hi Dave! Thanks for chatting with me today, especially since you’re in the middle of a busy season. Let’s talk about Park Slope — when did you move here?
Dave Mitri: My first day as a New Yorker was September 11th, 2001. KM: What?! That’s shocking! DM: It was pretty crazy. We could see it from the top of our building. My parents, my mom especially, she wanted me to come back home. KM: Oh my god, I can’t even imagine. They must’ve been so worried. DM: Suzi had been living here prior to me moving. When we started dating, visiting her was my first time in New York. We started looking for space together when we became more serious. I moved my stuff to New York the evening of September 10th. When Suzi and I woke up the morning of September 11th, we toasted coffee, and I said, “I'm officially a New Yorker.” We didn't have the TV on. Then, the phone rings, and it's like, “Oh my god, are you watching this?” Yeah, that was my first day as a New Yorker.
Where did you move from? Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Cleveland, on the east side. As it relates to sports, if you grow up in Cleveland, you're pretty much a Browns fan. That’s it — you have no choice. Browns, Indians [in 2021, the Cleveland Indians changed their name to the Cleveland Guardians], and the Cavaliers. My first official job was as an usher at the old Cleveland Browns stadium. My 16th birthday was my first day on the job. I love The Browns. I’m still a huge Browns fan. Every year I fly back for both of my drafts.
How old are your fantasy football leagues?
They're so old that they predate the internet!
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