BRONX, N.Y. (WPIX) -
He used to "set em up Joe" for the ultimate Joe, Joe DiMaggio. But now longtime bartender 73 year old John Vendikos is out at home.
The veteran mixologist who spent 27 seasons at the House That Ruth Built has been dumped, he claims, because of his age. He poured drinks at the old Stadium Club for Yankee stars and fans but is out with the new Stadium and he is not happy.
Vendikos was certain he would have been in the starting lineup at the new stadium but was told in January that he would have to tryout again to make the team. The Yankees had started their own food-service company and they were re-interviewing workers.
"I had to wait in line for three hours, and when I got in, the guy said to me, 'Why should I hire you? You're an old man,'" Vendikos told The New York Post.
So now a complaint has been filed with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by Vendikos. His lawyer Lenard Leeds says it is a textbook case of age discrimination.
Yankee team spokeswoman Alice McGillion said "We have hired many people over the age of 65 at the new stadium and we deny the allegation of any age discrimination," she told The Post.
The veteran mixologist who spent 27 seasons at the House That Ruth Built has been dumped, he claims, because of his age. He poured drinks at the old Stadium Club for Yankee stars and fans but is out with the new Stadium and he is not happy.
Vendikos was certain he would have been in the starting lineup at the new stadium but was told in January that he would have to tryout again to make the team. The Yankees had started their own food-service company and they were re-interviewing workers.
"I had to wait in line for three hours, and when I got in, the guy said to me, 'Why should I hire you? You're an old man,'" Vendikos told The New York Post.
So now a complaint has been filed with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by Vendikos. His lawyer Lenard Leeds says it is a textbook case of age discrimination.
Yankee team spokeswoman Alice McGillion said "We have hired many people over the age of 65 at the new stadium and we deny the allegation of any age discrimination," she told The Post.
