SAN LEANDRO -- Credit the New York Giants' win on Sunday toplayer skill, a couple of interceptions, and -- just maybe -- thegood luck charm Anthony Mongelli brought to Ricky's Sports Lounge.
The Giants beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-14, and Mongelli cameall the way from Sunnyvale to join sweetheart Katherine Avila of SanLeandro in watching their favorite team on Ricky's massive high-definition television screen.
Mongelli, wearing a Giants sweat shirt embossed with the faces ofGiants greats, brought a tiny figure of Giants' tight end JeremyShockey, diving for a catch. The figure stood out amid the glassesand cups on the linen-covered table as fans flocked to Ricky's towatch the playoffs.
'It's a symbol of toughness and free spirit,' said New Jerseynative Mongelli, who has been a Giants fan since the 1960s, whenFran Tarkington quarterbacked the team. For many ofthese years, herecalled, the team has been 'pretty bad.'
'He's not a fair-weather fan,' Avila joked, adding herdisappointment that the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders noware going through bad times.
Bill Masterson, sitting at a neighboring table and wearing aRaiders sweatshirt, was avidly watching the game while digging intoan omelet.
He's been driving from San Jose to Ricky's for three yearsbecause of the lounge's ambiance -- including 60 televisions inseveral rooms -- and because he enjoys professional football.
He predicted the Indianapolis Colts will face the Dallas Cowboysin the Feb. 3 Super Bowl.
No matter which team a customer backs, all are respected atRicky's. The Raiders may dominate, but the walls at Ricky's -- namedthe number two sports bar in America by Sports Illustrated -- arecovered with pictures and sports memorabilia from dozens offootball, baseball and basketball teams.
'There is no cussing here,' said Ricardo. 'It's a place where youfeel comfortable bringing your wife and kids.'
Respect starts at home. Tina Ricardo, Ricky's wife, was wearing aTampa Bay Bucs shirt. She's a friend and fan of Bucs coach JonGruden, a former Raiders head coach.
Ricky Ricardo also likes Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia, aformer 49ers quarterback.
Professional football dominated this weekend, but tonight Ricky'swill be packed with customers eager to watch the college BowlChampionship Series between Louisiana State University and OhioState University.
Ricardo backs LSU, and not only because current Raidersquarterback JaMarcus Russell took the LSU Tigers to a Sugar Bowlvictory last year.
He favors the college championship being moved to the weekendbetween the NFL's conference championships and the Super Bowl.
It would be good for the sport, Ricardo said, and entertainingfor the fans.
Karen Holzmeister covers Castro Valley, the Hayward AreaRecreation and Park District, and county government forunincorporated areas. Call her at 510-293-2478 or e-mailkholzmeister@bayareanewsgroup.com.
