One-on-One with Night Train Veeck

I'm guessing a lot of people are interested in the history of the "Night Train" name and the story behind it.

"Yeah, that's usually the question I get the most. It started with my parents, my dad being the main proponent. He got it from Dick 'Night Train' Lane, the former Detroit Lions defensive back. He thought on playgrounds at school no one would mess with a kid named 'Night Train.' "

Have you gone by "Night Train" since birth?

"In school I had to use my real name, William, just because it's more official. I gave Night Train a shot in second grade through fifth grade and most of the teachers thought I was being an idiot. Now, it's to the point where people don't care and it's just Night Train. I'd say 90 percent of the people who have known me know me as Night Train.

Is it just "Train" to your close friends?

"Yeah, Train for short."

How many times does the name thing come up in the average week in the life of Night Train?

"I definitely go up against it a lot. Being here and working with my dad, I talk to a lot of people and interact a lot so I'd say it at least comes up three to five times a day. It could be anything from a short pause and kind of awkwardly stepping over it to a five-minute conversation, like 'Who is this joker calling me up trying to sell me tickets?' "

How old were you when you fully realized what it meant to be a Veeck?

"I always kind of had inklings and thoughts and ideas and I pieced them together over the years. I'd say I was maybe 16 or 17. That's when I really started to put everything together: The history, the name, the game of baseball, all the promotions. I started realizing, wow, there's a lot to it."

How do you see your career developing?

"It's hard to tell. I definitely wanted to make sure I started from the bottom. Here in Charleston, I've done everything from running around in a pizza costume to working the concession stands to working on the grounds crew. I tried to make sure I knew a little bit about everything so if I did make it up to the top later, I would know the ins and outs of how everything works. From here, I would like to get more involved in the front office and operations of the game. I wouldn't say I want to follow in the footsteps but make my own family footsteps."

So what was it like dressing up as a slice of pizza?

"Hot. It's funny, you get in there and it's a good time making people laugh. When you're in front of 5,000 people, you kind of lose the embarrassment factor."

Would you ever say definitely "yes" or definitely "no" to working in major league baseball?

"I don't think either would be definitely. It intrigues me a lot. I love minor league baseball, just because it's been my whole life with my dad and I love the workings and interaction with fans. It's a different atmosphere, but I am interested in the major leagues. I'd like to get up there and maybe try, however slow it may be, to make the lines a little blurred."

Your current favorite bands?

"Oh, gosh. Way too many to mention."

OK, how about your last few iPod downloads?

"Alkaline Trio has been a big one for me. Less Than Jake. My dad and I love music and talk about it all the time."

The last good book you read?

" 'The Good Guy' " by Dean Koontz.

Favorite movie of 2009? So far.

"I liked 'Taken.' And 'The Hangover' was funny."

What's the best item on the concession stand menu at The Joe?

"Has to be the Homewrecker (a half-pound, foot-long hot dog with topping options including okra)."

What's Bill Murray really like?

"He's just as funny as everybody thinks he is. He's a great guy. He takes everything in stride and I think he truly tries to portray how he acts and what he is in the movies. He's just a funny guy."

Your all-time favorite RiverDog promotion?

"One that actually happened or didn't happen? Vasectomy Night was pretty funny. But since it didn't happen, I think Nobody Night was my favorite. We did everything business-as-usual and there wasn't a person in the stands."

How about a sneak peek at the second half of this season? What's the best promotion coming up?

"Go Back to Ohio Night. We brought that back this year. We have a couple of prizes cooked up for the winner. And we have the return of Midget Wrestling Night. I always enjoy midget wrestling."

Are you a baseball fan?

"I am."

Favorite team?

"I'm a White Sox fan. It runs in the family."

Do you have a favorite player, active or retired?

"I like the current White Sox team and I like Alexei Ramirez. He's on my fantasy team. I liked the Alomar brothers (former Charleston Rainbows Sandy Jr. and Roberto). And Frank Thomas."

If you could change one thing about major league baseball, what would it be?

"The atmosphere. I'd just like to make it more fun. It's great the way it is and I think the fans are treated well, but it's just a little too tight for me. The people there need to loosen up and I think we need to make it a good time. And accessibility. With the economy the way it is, it's becoming pretty non-accessible to a lot of people."