Do you know your number? Phillies slugging legend Greg Luzinski went from home-run hero to World Series champ to Phillies Wall of Famer to ballpark barbecuer.
That journey has kept Luzinski, a Chicago-area native nicknamed “The Bull” during his playing days, in Philly for most of his adult life. Now at 63, he is playing a new role for Philly sports fans: cholesterol awareness spokesman. A strange turn for the namesake of Bull’s BBQ.
The Bull spoke to NBC10 about his food, his playing days and his health as he prepared to join drugmaker AstraZeneca in free screenings along Ashburn Alley for National Cholesterol Education Month Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
What has drawn you to (and kept you in) Philly?
I was always really received very well by Phillies fans and I had a great time in my 11 years in Philadelphia – the Phillies were my team. When the new ballpark came about (in 2004) the whole theme of the ballpark was being fan friendly. Being close to the fans, it seemed kind of natural to be able to be continually surrounded by them with the barbecue out in the outfield. I’ve spent most of my life here in Philadelphia. My kids were born and raised here and still continue to live in New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. I do go to Florida in the wintertime, but you know, it’s just to get away from the harsh winter.
How did Bull’s BBQ come about?
The whole theme of food (at CBP) was local foods from around Philly and if you walk through Ashburn Alley you can see that that’s there. I think they wanted to create a closer relationship with fans -- the way the ballpark was built and the nearness of the players to the field. And Philly has always liked that.
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What’s your favorite dish at Bull’s BBQ?
Well turkey legs, roast turkey to ribs, obviously, pulled pork meat. It’s hard to pick a favorite, that’s why we have platters with two or three different items.
BBQ and low cholesterol don’t always go hand in hand, how did you come about being a spokesman for cholesterol awareness?
I’ve had some problems with (cholesterol) and, obviously, I’m under doctor’s care for it. When the cholesterol education people came to the Phillies I was a fine candidate to participate in the screening from 5 to 8 in left field. It’s something that is silent -- no signs, no symptoms of high cholesterol -- you simply need to get it checked and know your number. Hopefully, if we can get people screened through the screening, they will be aware of their cholesterol number and if it’s high do something about it.
What are some things you’ve changed in your life since you’ve become aware of your cholesterol situation?
Trust me it’s not easy. I’ve battled weight problems basically all through my life so trying to change the diet is probably the hardest thing to do and that’s a continual process… By going and being screened and going to a doctor definitely helped – being in a physician’s care.
What can you share with others about cholesterol?
It think the whole key is the awareness factor. Most people aren’t ware that their cholesterol is high and they don’t go to these screenings -- a simple screening that doesn’t take more than a couple minutes. Obviously high cholesterol is a major factor for heart disease -- that’s our ticker. We are just trying to get the baseball fan and all Americans to take a simple test and know their number so they can take care of it.
To baseball, which young Phillies players stand out to you?
I think the bullpen has probably been the best of the youngsters you might say. Maikel Franco just came up so we get to see what he has. Cody Asche has been up and done pretty well for his first year. Like I said, the bullpen has been tremendous -- (Ken) Giles has filled in that 8th inning spot. Hopefully they can build on that for the future with a blend of veteran players and some younger players they can put something together for next year.
So a guy known as a slugger, pitching is what catches your eye with the current team?
Well, that’s the name of the game as far as I’m concerned. That’s where it starts, it starts there on the mound with pitchers -- pitching and defense… most teams that seem to be successful aren’t just teams that hammer the ball -- it’s fine pitching with good defense.
Do you have a favorite player currently?
Not really one. I respect these guys on a day to day basis -- their highs and lows -- it’s not an easy game. It’s not as easy, trust me, as sitting there as a fan asking, ‘why did he make that play? Why did he through that strike or make that pitch?’ It’s a little more difficult than that. I respect all those guys that are out there.
What was it like playing on the successful Phillies teams of the late 1970s?
It was, obviously, a great feeling. I was fortunate enough to play with future Hall of Famers (Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton) that was a lot of fun -- we had success as a ball team. I think a lot of times that when you’re surrounded by great players they bring out the best. I was fortunate enough to put some years together – I was second a couple times in MVP voting and thought that I should have won the one. I was just happy to be there with my teammates.
