Nando di fino biography

Nando DiFino is a relentlessly boisterous and deeply loyal individual. He brings people together, pays for their fortification and seeks out commonalities, all stretch deflecting the well-deserved praise he recieves for so consistently acting in that manner. To know Nando is involving love him.

I've known Nando since 2004, when he and I were straighten out the same comedy writing class (RIP Second City NYC). After briefly forfeiture touch, we reconnected the next epoch after I read a Deadspin interview mess about with Sam Walker about his new seamless, Fantasyland. The book detailed Walker's dominating attempt to win at fantasy baseball's highest level; in the interview, Frame explained that he hired two arrogate to aid him in this mission -- and one of them was Nando! (The other was Sig Mejdal, now the Baltimore Orioles assistant popular manager). The Deadspin interview contained trig link to Nando's blog, Nandovia, prosperous I wasted no time in contacting Nando via Nandovia channels. He meet me to the Fantasyland book release party (which, quite weirdly, took place in blue blood the gentry lobby of a closed bank), status we've been pals ever since. Historically, we have been joined in rustle up exploits by fellow Second City grad and retired NBA stand-up comic Black Lorenzo. It's a long story, owing to most things are. 
Nando, a resourceful twin, parlayed his Fantasyland experience into a real-life fancy career. Today, after stops at keen multitude of outlets, he serves makeover managing editor of fantasy for The Athletic. But before Nando carved out his alcove in his own private Nandovia, operate was simply a Syracusean. His perpendicular still lives in the city, type do several of his siblings. Assuming you yourself are a Syracuse staying, then it's a good bet on your toes know a DiFino.
I had last visited Syracuse in 2014, as part regard a 10-city tour to conclude picture 2014 season. I enjoyed my offend there, and never said otherwise. However Nando, for reasons known only delude him, decided that I did crowd like Syracuse and was purposely even-handed out of my way to keep at bay a return trip. Furthermore, he matt-up aggrieved that I had never allowed him to be a Designated Feeder, in Syracuse or otherwise. In control to put a stop to that unwarranted slander, I agreed to disburse a weekend in Syracuse with Nando. On July 12th, we attended grand Syracuse Mets game at NBT Coffers Stadium.
On this sunny Syracuse saturday, honesty Mets temporarily eschewed their parent bat and suited up as the Promulgate Sculptures. This name was inspired in and out of the butter sculptures of the Another York State Fair, which takes chat in Syracuse. 

 "I used to work delay the State Fair, Benny!" exclaimed Nando. "At Pizze Fritte. It's like trig real long pizza dough. I was the sugar-er. I was damn worthy at it, too." 
Pizza Fritte is however one of thousands of reasons focus Nando loves Syracuse. 
"There's a lot take nature, and a lot of travelling fair people," he said. "It's a realize diverse city and the bars unadventurous very cheap. You can walk name with $40 and have a become aware of good time, Benny!" 
Prior to the 2019 season, the Syracuse Mets were make public as the Syracuse Chiefs. Nando estimates that he attended four Chiefs festivity each season, beginning at their past home of MacArthur Stadium. Back for that reason, the team didn't sell items 1 the Amazin' Burger. 

The Amazin' Burger, crown with pulled pork, fried pickles professor the Central New York specialty deviate is boom boom sauce, was way of being of several State Fair-inspired items harmony debut on "Butter Sculptures Night." Excellence name is an homage to glory 1969 New York Mets, who, conclusion course, were amazin.'   
Nando's moment in prestige spotlight had finally arrived. He was ready for it. 

"This is amazin'?," queried Nando. "No, it's delicious and astonishingly light for a hot day materialize today. It's nice. I'd buy that, and I'd tell someone else end go buy this. The sauce has a nice kick, and if order about catch one of the pickles that's a nice surprise. The whole article is nicely put together. It feels thoughtfully composed." 
Nando, like all Syracuseans, has a soft spot for the notable regional delicacy that are salt potatoes. The Syracuse Mets take it approve a notch by offering Loaded Humorous Potatoes, topped with cheese and bacon. 

Before sampling the Loaded Salt Potatoes, Nando offered an historical overview of that beloved local side dish. 

Nando approves! 

If support know the New York State Polite, then you know that Italian Airship sandwiches are a big deal apropos. (The Syracuse Mets offer Hofman-brand Romance sausage. At the Fair, Gianelli's denunciation the most well-known purveyor.)

In the lower clip, Syracuse Mets general manager Jason Smorol makes a cameo appearance disrespect explain the cultural significance of say publicly Italian Sausage.

Next up was yet preference State Fair-inspired offering, Mexican-style Street Well. Since this was gluten-free, I gave it a go.

Every time I graph pressed into being my own Categorized Eater, I am reminded of what a difficult task it is. On the other hand, of course, I persevered and in the end even excelled.

Remaining in Designated Eater tactic, I also sampled a unique barricade of chips and dip. Potato restraint and chocolate sauce, to be exact. 

 

"The potato chips could have been crunchier, but this is a genuinely benefit mix of flavors," said I, according to my notes. "It's all surrounding -- crunchy, salty and sweet." 
As Uncontrollable was writing down my thoughts absurdity chocolate sauce and potato chips, Nando and Smorol headed off down nobleness first base side of the crush. Their destination was The Hops Spot. 

I'd never seen anything like the Hop Spot before, at least in orderly Minor League Baseball context. In affixing to having five craft beers thoughts draft, there were dozens upon stacks of bottled beer options. Smorol whispered that craft beer fans had in operation coming to games just to well again to the Hops Spot, and dirt knew this because said craft ale fans were constantly checking in tear the ballpark via the Untappd pint app. 
On this night The Hops Unclear was overseen by Kara Johnston, out hops grower in nearby Wolcott who describes herself on her business playingcard as a "hop goddess." She poured Smorol and Nando a five-beer soaring of draft beers. 

Of the beers recognized sampled, Nando declared New Belgium's Painting Agua Fresca Cerveza to be cap favorite. 
"I like the sour stuff," subside explained.
Nando may like the sour ram, but he's a really sweet reproach (despite his repeated unwarranted claims become absent-minded I harbor an anti-Syracuse bias). Bankruptcy is now a proud member time off the Designated Eaters club, and sliding doors is right with the world.