What Are MLB Clubhouse Dues?

[@superduty4556]

Good stuff to know for when I make my mid-thirties run for the MLB

[@pm.meowth4850]

Same

[@ricorico5197]

I was a clubbie in the PCL and guys that skip town without paying are definitely remembered. It’s tough to please every player but you do your best to do so as tips are obviously a big deal. Best job I ever had. So many different personalities, mentalities, but the competitive make up of each player was astounding! Hardest thing to see was watching a player get released. Disappointing to not get tipped when you do everything a player wanted. Before I was a clubbie, I cheered for the home team. When I was working in the clubhouse visiting clubhouse I wanted the hometown team to lose every night lol. Hard to make lasting friendships with players when they’re gone in four days. So many crazy stories. One night after a game a couple of players were dogging another player because he never got any tail. He said “ oh yeah! I bet if I send the clubbie to my hotel room that your wrong!” So they put a bet on it and sent me to the players own hotel room. When I walked in the room to see if he had anyone there he did. You should of seen this girl waiting for him. Just one of many stories. The amount of work was insane. The hours were crazy! 12 to 14 hours a day. The prep work, laundry, packing, trips to the airport, cleaning, errands... it was a lot of work but well worth it. Its great to be able to tell my kids and say that I took care of guys like Arod, Piazza, Strawberry, and so many more.

[@pjiidoesthat8986]

appreciate you 💯

[@RolandDeschain1]

Houston's clubbies make extra-sure to clean out the trash cans for their intended use.

[@SebastianTheGreat]

Gotta buff out those dents to keep the acoustics just right!

[@philrivera1163]

We use rubber trash cans bro, they last longer #Rubbermaid

[@gatorslim5781]

Imagine being a rookie and putting trash in the trash can and getting totally reamed out by the entire team.

[@DudeWhat31]

@Realjayrome Clean out used needles and steroid viles

[@krakenNation]

World Champions ASTROS baby stop crying losers Astros are still one of the most dominating teams

[@k9spjack]

I remember when, Barry Larkin bought the Cincinnati Reds "Head Clubhouse Attendant" a 'brand new Mercedes Benz' for a retirement gift. Just an example of how much the Attendants mean to the players!

[@bx8garageman]

Good stuff to know alot like union dues

[@Greasyspleen]

Dude hides his Lucky Charms like an actual leprechaun.

[@kennykrosky5774]

Just a 30 year old here watching this like I'm preparing to hop into the Major Leagues 😂. Great content man!

[@ninobrown987x]

Kenny Krosky I’m 33 and also watch Matt’s content as if I’m ever going to need the knowledge he shares for when I “make it” 😂😂😂 I love the content he shares, especially videos like this on the “behind the scenes” stuff. Always interesting content!

[@ragingmoderate6791]

I'm 36 haven't played baseball since 3rd grade and still watch like this is valuable information to me.

[@pjiidoesthat8986]

who says you can't make it ?

[@sammyhead]

I did Fantasy Camp with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017. The Clubbies took great care of us, just like the real players. We played two games a day, and switched jerseys each game. Our used jerseys were cleaned and in our lockers before we finished the lunch spread. At the end, each camper pitched in $100 for the week. There were 78 of us at the camp. The whole experience was the greatest week ever!

[@rbertke]

Hey Matt -- 1984 -- Columbus Clippers -- Yankee AAA affiliate -- Only time there was a food spread was in between games of a double header. Usually concession burgers and dogs. Non stop flow of snacks, drinks, and cans of Copenhagen. No after game meal. Laundry was the same as you describe. But food...things must have changed as facilities improved. We did have a keg of beer on hand at all times. The way I understood it, it was the only level of professional baseball that allowed beer in the clubhouse. I didn’t drink so I’m not sure of that. No dip police in 1984. Hell, we had a very big name older guy on the end of his career that would smoke cigarettes in the tunnel during the home half of the inning. I love your channel. It’s always fun for me to compare your MiLB experience compared to mine 23 years earlier. Thanks for what you do.

[@wtweathers7684]

Nice video Matt. I worked as a visiting clubby for the Blue Jays in the Florida State League as well as spring training. It’s definitely not all the “glory” that people think it is haha. Keep up the great videos, you’re very entertaining.

[@ruvenqal]

i worked for Seattles AAA affiliate and helped the Clubbie cook for the players it was awesome

[@nocturnalmayhem0]

your channel needs more than 137k subs ive been subbed since under 200 and throughly enjoy these insider videos.

[@philiplavery03]

“I like any cereal. I like the idea of just eating and drinking with one hand without looking” Jerry Seinfeld

[@MrGameMeister]

Hey Matt - FWIW I just got back from the Rockies Fantasy Camp down in Scottsdale. As a camper we lived pretty much as the big leaguers do, including the use of clubbies. The ones we had access to were great. Did pretty much what you asked, though we weren't asking them to run out and get stuff for us. Yes, they still use "loops", and the whole laundry thing was really nice to have. We paid $100 for the week in clubhouse dues, and we ran two kangaroo courts which got money from those who screwed up (all in good fun). All the money was collected and distributed between the clubhouse attendants, video/still picture team, field guys, and coaches. Sounds like our food was a lot better though. We go the same as the players. All arranged by their nutritionist. Bacon was the best I have every had!

[@PrivatePeterson]

MrGameMeister im going to giants fantasy camp in a few weeks!

[@amberramos6931]

Panda Express is a fine dining establishment in East Texas

[@Phoenix-pm2qr]

I love nerding out and learning all the little details of how everything works in the club house. Thanks for these videos

[@YFL23-2K6]

Hey I don’t know if you apart of any locker room celebrations or clinchers in the major or the minors. If you could go over what happens or whatever that would make for a great video. Keep up the great work!

[@KenGaska]

It's amazing that this isn't standardized and that the clubbies have to have 25 different transactions for every series. How is this not done through the team / player contract automatically and then the only 'on the ground' transactions are tips?

[@kswan2234]

Agreed!

[@wtweathers7684]

Ken, I agree. I would have gladly taken the entire team’s meal money straight from the front office :) It really was a pain though for both the players and myself to make sure dues were paid after the final game of the series.

[@chartle1]

I guess baseball is a game of tradition???? We always did it this way. Etc. Seems way too under the table.

[@jarrodmiller3319]

Simple answer would be that the club wants to spend as little as possible, just like paying waitstaff $2.13/hour and expecting the customers to pay them more.

[@garlandetheridge9902]

I was a visiting "clubbie" in the California class C league in 1952 and 1953 Best memories of my youth! We worked for tips only.

[@RobKandell]

5:50 - Now Laura is going to be finding your hiding spot. Lol

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Rob Kandell yup! Lol

[@rushkiss2012]

Antonelli Baseball who’s in charge in keeping the dugouts clean ?

[@EmeraldCityRiz]

That’s exactly what I thought as well. He shot himself in the foot on that one. Say goodbye to the leprechaun buddy.

[@EmeraldCityRiz]

rushkiss2012 I believe that’s the field crews job. I’ve seen them hosing it out after games before and I’m pretty sure that’s who it was.

[@mamaluigi2064]

5:50 Cinnamon toast crunch is my personal favorite especially when you finish the cereal and you have the cinnamony milk OMG

[@bullpent9973]

I was a clubbie in 1990 for an Independant league and I was suppose to get 3.00 per day. I didn't get any money from the teams owners, so all the money I spent came out of my pocket. I had fruit in the morning, seeds, gum and protein bars. After the game, I worked deals with Mary's Pizza, Dominoes, and a couple small diners. They gave me dinner for all the guys and I gave them tickets to games via the players guest lists. I never made money as a clubbie, but I did it because I love the game and just wanted to be around the ballpark. Some guys never paid. But, it really didn' t even matter to me. I made some really nice friends and connections and that was more important.

[@k.otticgoode5881]

Now batting, Matt "Froot Loops" Antonelli

[@alexberngard3465]

When I was a clubbie in Iowa and the pros would come and do their rehab, they would pay me to go buy a fancy meal for everyone in the clubhouse. Barney tipped me $50 to go buy dinner for everyone. That was nice. But that was also AAA.

[@robertvantine2810]

Matt just needs to hide the cereal boxes in a big box in the basement marked, "Mouse Traps"...

[@BouncingSoul1987]

"I'd be willing to bet you, if I was a betting man, that I have never bet on baseball." - Pete Rose

[@zachmartin1458]

I remember when he talked to a reporter about Marge's racism. "Marge wasn't no racist. I'd bet the farm on it." I'm sure you would.

[@voicecarolinasbroadcastnet1099]

The rounds of golf, the beer for managers, the wash my laundry off the bus. I absolutely loved working clubhouses. Two regrets: never working the show and having to walk away. So many good guys in baseball. I took care of them, they took care of me! It was awesome!

[@westonarmendariz947]

I've become friends with a lot of different players and have gotten some cool stuff being a clubby in the Houston Org. pretty cool stuff sometimes. And yes, we still use loops. guys who dont use their loops are not our favorite! lol

[@tanahardcastle2670]

This my friends name, I'm Brent Knackert. A ball through double A the trainer did all our laundry. I use to feel so bad for them after a 17 hour bus ride, I'd see the heading off to the laundry mat. Dues didn't start for me till big leagues $25 per day in 1990 & 1996.

[@582AIR]

Love all your stuff! Stay with it, please. Your variance in topics is great,as of course, it should be. You were there. Good luck,and keep it up!

[@MOSTASSEMBLYREQUIRED]

11:16 Thank you sir for learning me on the correct spelling of M-E-A-L. I’ve been spelling it as M-I-E-L for so long now and wondered why everyone would laugh and giggle at me under their breath.

[@jordanmt007]

Being a clubbie (or however you spell it) sounds like a great job. Where can I go to get some of that action?

[@theb.o.c.channel6395]

That's actually very I interesting. I always wonder about things of that sort.thanks for the inside scoop.

[@Nimajneb84]

Why can’t the organization pay these costs? Especially since minor leaguers make peanuts????

[@1981lashlarue]

My thought/question exactly.

[@alanchen7593]

Yes, that sounds like literally 1/3 of a minor leaguer's income

[@str1kek1ng53]

hey matt , doubt you’ll read this but guess what . today our weather was bad so we had classroom practice and we watched you’re video with you and that one pitcher about middle infield drill where to catch the grounder and bring it to your chest and then then turn your body. anyways yaa i thought it was cool seeing you

[@AntonelliBaseball]

STR1KE K1NG love it!!!

[@str1kek1ng53]

Antonelli Baseball no wayyy you responded to meee !!!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

STR1KE K1NG yup! Tell your team good luck! 👍

[@RAC3504]

Great video!! For further details.. The book Clubbie… Outstanding read.

[@zackc3767]

Anto sounding really Massachusetts-y tonight :D

[@stevetee5076]

Are the game time bat boys, foul ball people, ground crew also tipped by players?

[@EnderSword]

I think of all the videos this one feels the most unexpected to me. I just assumed at an MLB level that would all be handled by the team and it'd just be part of their pay. Never would have thought they'd expect players to pay per day themselves with a cheque and stuff, just seems inconvenient more than anything. The tipping for extras I'd expect Kind of reminds me of the 'Why are we paying for soda?' scene in Moneyball

[@joeblow9657]

5:50 So Matt is the tall, Italian American version of the leprechaun in the Lucky Charms commercials?

[@markb.1259]

Great, Great Video!!! Matt... during your years in the clubhouse, what was the "norm" for alcohol use before/during? a game?

[@alexh8613]

It is amazing the difference in tips that an Equipment Manager makes between the minors and majors. I had a coworker at the Tiple A level that was the Equipment Manager. He made I want to say about a few thousand dollars in tips (dues) at the end of the year. He then took a job as the Assistant Equipment Manager at the Major League level. He made more tips in one season in the majors, than he made in 5 years in the minors. But it also had its drawbacks. In the minors, if you went out to eat, you went to TGI Fridays, Applebees, or some normal sit down restaurant. In the majors, you went to places with $75 steaks and $20 appetizers. Also, the Clubbies will make the purchase for the snacks in the clubhouse and at the lower levels the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But if you start getting actual team meals, that's not the clubbie. That's coming from the front office. Most likely the Director of Baseball Operations or the Corporate Sponsorship guys (as most likely the food is from a sponsor). Like he said in the video, at the major league level, you usually have a chef that cooks things up for you.

[@rmp5s]

The sparkle in his eye as he talked about his beloved Lucky Charms was heart warming. 😂

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

Love your videos dude

[@baseballgod8065]

Lucky Charms is the greatest cereal ever! 👍

[@kekelaward]

Personally, I'm coocoo for Coco Puffs.

[@Lawomenshoops]

SI had a little story about how much MLB players tipped the clubhouse attendants. This was early 90's. One NL clubby, said one team almost everybody tipped $100 for the 3 game series! Other teams maybe $25 for the series.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Lawomenshoops wow!

[@wtweathers7684]

When I worked as a visiting clubby in the Florida State League (high A), some guys tipped $1-2 per game while others didn’t tip at all. Most of those guys don’t make much money so they rely on part of the meal money to get by. On the other hand, the standard tip that I got from a Major Leaguer that was rehabbing was $100 for the series. Sometimes they were only there for 1 game but still tipped $100. If they were a big contract major leaguer sometimes they would also pay for the entire team’s dinner from somewhere nice and teach the young guys to do the same if they make it to the majors and were rehabbing an injury in the minors.

[@svenblubber5448]

In no other pro sports would you have to pay for what is essentially a team service....

[@suthious]

i'm 46 and i love cereal too!! just i dont hide it cause that's a food-group in my place so tell the misses don't think too badly on it lolol

[@israymervalentin-arias6313]

Damn being a clubbie is A LOT of work. We are talking about 24/7 laundry maintenance and sweeping and mopping and food and toiletries shopping and fuck that unless you are in the major leagues cause then I am sure the end of the season tips from each individual players who have multi year multi million dollar contracts should be MASSIVE.

[@dwightcornell5775]

Us Cereal lovers have to stay together Matt. I love Coco pebbles and Fruity pebbles and even Raisin Bran.and of course Lucky Charms.

[@defeatignorance8681]

Just a tip, there is an off-brand version of fruity pebbles that just demolish the real fruity pebbles. I can't remember the name but they come in a bag that has half a ziplock opening. Tried them once out of necessity and never went back to the real stuff.

[@XBradTC]

They're after me Lucky Charms! Dude, that's literally the advertising angle they took even before you were born.

[@isaacclark9825]

How do you manage paying dues when you are in spring training playing A ball? No money coming in, and you are using your meal money to pay club dues? Nobody getting fat there.

[@10amTracy]

Love the real talk about your Lucky Charms-hiding life. 🤗

[@kekelaward]

Nice rant at 6:00! I hear your pain.

[@HodeshHockey]

Damn, Everything you are describing gets done by equipment managers in hockey but they just get payed by the team. I never had to pay them out of pocket and they always went the extra mile for anything you needed. I got stuck in the snow on my way to the rink and the assistant brought his truck and got me out just in time to make it to warmups.

[@aleccolarossi6496]

Everything still works like that laundry wise for clubbies. Players nowadays tip out a lot towards the end of the year. I get some tips throughout the season but made most of my tips at the end of the year. they no longer have clubhouse dues for home players. just curious are you still friends with any of the clubbies you've had?

[@ralphburnette]

I used to work in the front office in Bakersfield when you were with Lake Elsinore. I’m sure we had the worst facilities and food you ever experienced 😂

[@213Omen]

Amen on that cereal thing. I gave up a long time ago 😂😂

[@The1997Hman]

back in September I went on a tour of angel stadium and they took us into the visiting teams clubhouse and they were talking about clubhouse attendants

[@bobbig4078]

Matt what do players do in spring training (grapefruit league) when it is raining? Sure there is some indoor stuff..but what else?

[@cristianhagan8380]

Since you played in the PCL was Cashman field in Vegas as bad as everyone said

[@jason_22282]

Matt will be inducted into a separate Hall of Fame and Museum at Peabody, MA where he will be granted permission to indulge in Lucky Charms in peace.

[@cawilliams188]

Do all clubhouses have a barber or was that just the Marlins?

[@brentknackert8412]

It was $25 a day with Seattle in 1990, and same in 1996 in Boston. Never really dealt with food after games except big leagues. Most my time was double A not triple A, in fact Im pretty sure I have more big league time than tripleA.

[@bobloblaw1180]

Yes, you in fact had 32 games in the big leagues vs 19 games in triple A.... Tell me, is it odd having worked a job where a stranger on the internet can inform you of this?

[@Enginshim]

My family friend did catering jobs for the Astros about 10-15 years ago. He was told by the head “clubbies” to never look around and never spoke unless you are spoken too. Basically set up, shut up, and leave. Lol.

[@TylerDurden9LB]

That's so strange that the players pay the clubhouse attendant. I agree that tips should come from the players, but you would think that the club would square the clubby.

[@lazeemexicano]

How do they know everyone paid?

[@TheFruitney]

Besides tipping these guys daily, did they get a paycheck from the team or is all their money coming from players tips?

[@davidcollins.firstplaceeve6005]

Empty a box of bran flakes and keep your Lucky Charms in that box. No one will touch it but you. I recommend Captain Crunch, tho.

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

Do the clubbies contact each other? For instance, the Rockies clubby calling the Padres one to know the usual wants and needs of players. "Anything that new Antonelli guy of yours I need to know about"? When I was part-time scoreboard operator when we had a AAA team here in Ottawa, I heard that on the last home game of the season, the players, most not being Canadian, would give all their loose change to the bat boys. I heard that many guys had dozens of dollars in change so the bat boys made a few hundred dollars. I assume the clubbies as well.

[@austinhawks7045]

Do favorite spring training moments 🤟🤟🔥

[@hockeyyesterdayandtoday3342]

You should do a commercial for Lucky Charms.

[@JohnFishman]

Was it really necessary to meet in centerfield, under the lights, in a mostly filled stadium to have this conversation, Matt?

[@kevingamblesonlife9999]

Hey Matt, Do you recall any players purposely stiffing a clubbie?

[@pequodexpress]

How much on average does the team organization pay the clubhouse attendant?

[@swieri2003]

Definitely taking care of these boys in MLB20 RTTS

[@sk8terboi10003]

What happens of you don't pay do they get rid of you?

[@anon8186]

This system is ridiculous. These are multi billion dollar organizations, who expect their employees to pay for things that should be given standard.

[@defeatignorance8681]

Do lawyers' offices pay for their lawyers' lunches? Does the hospital pay for the docs to be waited on hand and foot? Come back to reality, pal.

[@anon8186]

If you're working for a multi billion dollar organization, the expectation is that they pay, not their employees. That extends to high profile law firms, and top surgeons.

[@danjones2164]

I hope your wife doesn’t watch this video and finds out that you have a secret Lucky Charms hiding place.

[@petervisconti4818]

question, who cleans your laundry on the road, lets say you finish a series then are heading to another city. Who cleans the last team or the new team you play against, or does your own team do it somehow.

[@wtweathers7684]

Andrew Visconti The next team does it unless they’re heading home after the game. In that case their home clubby takes care of it when they get back to the stadium.

[@shawndavis8906]

Low A - Fort Wayne; High A - Lake Elsinore; Double A - San Antonio.

[@EmeraldCityRiz]

What happens if you don’t pay/forget to? Especially on a road trip because you might not be going back that year.

[@rodeocontentmedia4327]

😂😂😂😂😂 the lucky charms rant is he greatest thing I’ve heard all day

[@connorjohnson3159]

Have you ever been hazed when you played?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Connor Johnson I have a video going in depth on it. I won’t ruin it, but it wasn’t bad at all

[@chipcool6654]

Poor Matt, one day you will be able to sit down with your kids when they are older, and share a big big bowl of lucky charms

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

Who was the worst Clubhouse attendant you had to deal with? Secondly, which team had the worst Clubhouse attendants?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Eric Hutton I honestly can’t remember. None were that bad

[@wtweathers7684]

I can tell you who the worst team was... consistently. It was the Tampa Yankees. At least the ones that I dealt with at the time. The most immature players in the whole league. The best was the Brewers affiliate. From the coaches on down they were a class act.

[@martinc.720]

So clubs hand out meal (m-e-a-l) money with one hand, but collect daily dues with the other to pay for the food they provide?

[@johnleedom6270]

do the clubbies shine your shoes / baseball/street shoes?

[@AdrianPerez-lv7hj]

I Just Assumed The Team Payed. Would Never Guessed that Players would Pay . Now I know.

[@rb3061]

How much is a big tip?

[@robertn3061]

In the minors-$20. In the majors $50-$100. But 50 through 100 is about 3 players left in the league that does that.

[@alk61695]

5:58, make sure the wife and kids doesn't watch this part of the video.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

alk61695 haha!

[@nunnzie85]

Dumb question.... do you have to make your own P&J sandwich?

[@jerryking45]

Don’t forget the “dont’s”. Those are just as important.

[@robertvantine2810]

Sometimes you even wear 2-3 jerseys a game. Just ask Altuve...

[@followeroftheway4325]

Robert Vantine 😂

[@sddodger]

Since you’re writing checks, do you deduct them as a business expense?

[@christopheroliver2465]

As an Accounting teacher I believe that Clubhouse dues would be an acceptable deduction.

[@LFGVBE]

Enjoyed learning about Clubbies. Do you have enough experiences to share what you've learned about host families from college summer ball up through different pro levels? Our family is getting interested in becoming a host family, but would be interested in your perspective. Thanks!

[@scottyhaines4226]

How do you even become a clubbie?

[@kswan2234]

Damn! I may have to go to clubby school!

[@Quadfather2016]

Good grief that is a mortgage payment for a Major league player. $350 a week or $1,500 a month!

[@cougarhunter33]

Shrug, when your minimum salary is about a million...

[@Quadfather2016]

Sir James W. V. Savile, OBE the minimum salary in MLB around that time was around $400k I believe. Not to mention these guys are probably in debt from getting paid hardly anything in the minors for years before. Not all guys have an entire year in the bigs, and even the ones that do don’t make Mike Trout type money.

[@marshallyoo6726]

As a former sports manager I appreciate this video

[@ChicagoIrishman]

Dude - as a married man, the only cereal in the house is Kashi and muselix. Sucks, but I get carbs and sugar through Guinness and Jameson's.