Tip-gate: What's the Truth Jerry Coleman?

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By Joe LaCroix  

    One of the most exciting times of the year for Baltimore sports fans is the start of Orioles Spring Training.  For the hosts of the Big Bad Morning Show, the beginning of Spring Training also means a trip down to Sarasota for a week of live broadcasts.  Not only is Sarasota the Spring Training home of the Orioles, but it’s also home to countless restaurants and bars.  No one knows those restaurants and bars better than our own Jerry Coleman.  

    When it comes to dining out Coleman’s reputation proceeds him, but did he actually outdo himself while in Sarasota?  This past Wednesday Fan Program Director Chuck Sapienza was going over Jerry’s expense reports for his Sarasota trip.  While rifling through the receipts, something caught Chuck’s eye: a copy of a receipt from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.  

    The AMOB is one of Coleman’s favorite spots in Sarasota.  Between the seafood and rum and coke’s, what’s not to love?  However, on this specific day at the AMOB, Jerry’s bill totaled 34.75.  But wait, is that…a two dollar tip for an almost 35 dollar meal?  Chuck took to Twitter immediately.  The tweet reads as follows: “Reviewing @sportswithcoleman expense report for Sarasota.  A $2 tip on a $34.75 bill?  Really?”

Reviewing @sportswcoleman expense report for Sarasota. A $2 tip on a $34.75 bill? Really? @RobLongSports @Joe__LaCroix @ednorris @1057TheFan pic.twitter.com/urSF7F9HDP

— Chuck Sapienza (@chucksapienza) March 27, 2019

 The response to Chuck’s tweet was instantaneous.  Over four dozen likes and numerous responses in 12 hours.  But Jerry was quick to defend himself, saying the receipt didn’t tell the whole story.  And thus, ‘Tip-gate’ was born.

This was a partial bill. I'm a regular @AMOysterBar ! They'll vouch

— Jerry Coleman (@sportswcoleman) March 27, 2019          Jerry claimed the receipt in question was for a meal for him and a friend, former Fan Program Director Kevin Battle.  Jerry said he bought Battle’s meal.  In turn, Kevin left a cash tip.  Jerry was just giving a little extra with the $2.  This even after he claimed the service he received at the AMOB was less than stellar.

 If you know Jerry you sometimes have to question stories like this.  It seemed too simple of an explanation.  But this time Jerry did have a witness and one who was willing to back up his claims.  

   On Thursday we called up Kevin Battle and got him on the Big Bad Morning Show to corroborate Jerry’s story.  While at first there was some friendly pestering and a, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jerry’ from Kevin, the truth came out.  An appropriate tip was left for the bill in question.  Jerry was not being a cheapskate.  His reputation was restored.  After all, Jerry supposedly went to the AMOB nine times in his two weeks in Sarasota.  He would never do such a terrible thing to one of his favorite local haunts.  Then again, that was just one item on Jerry’s Sarasota expense report.  Could there be more of these questionable tipping transactions?  Time will tell.