Meet the Fan-ily: Mike the Hot Dog Mayor
Meet Mike Davie
by Melody Martins
The next in our series getting to better know the Ballers’ fan-ily, those people sitting in the seats next to you. Today, a celebrity special edition: the man, the myth, the magic, the meats, the Oakland treasure that is Mayor Mike: what you know and what you don’t.
Taking in a baseball game is never complete without enjoying a few classic staples. From beverages to snacks, there’s one item no ballpark can go without–the hot dog. At Raimondi Park, the hot dogs arriving right to your seat, offering all the toppings, are hand-delivered by the Mayor of Oakland. The Hot Dog Mayor, that is.
You probably already know him. He’s that kind of guy. But if you don’t, meet Mike Davie: Bay Area native, sports and community enthusiast, maker of a mean hot dog in the process. Maybe you’ve heard him leading fan chants like “When I say GO, You say Ballers. GO! Ballers! GO! Ballers!” You can’t miss him, with his classic red-and-white striped vest and often his baseball-themed bow tie.
How Did He Get Here?
Mike says that he worked at Bay Area staple Top Dog while in college, but it was a connection through his friend “Hal the Hot Dog Guy” that brought him to the Ballers. Following his years as an Oakland Coliseum concessions legend, Hal planned to sell hot dogs at Raimondi, but life took him in a different direction, becoming a parent and moving out of the area, so Hal “tapped Mike in.”
It was a natural choice and a perfect fit. Growing up an A’s fan, Mike wasn’t going to sit back and watch his community lose another professional sports team without fighting back. After being involved with the Oakland 68s and fully supporting the “Sell the Team” movement, Mike believed that the Ballers filled the void remaining when That Other Team left The Town. Mike says, “I fully embrace the Ballers, what they stand for, the community and vibes. I just have a good time doing it.”
Courtesy The Washington Post
On Gameday
Mike says that while he can only catch the “cliff notes version of the game” while working, he can usually see all the home runs and big strikeouts. On game days, he most looks forward to seeing his friends and all of the Ballers fans, and challenging himself to turn a “new fan into a fan for life.”
While most of the culinary orders Mike receives are run-of-the-mill, one request really stands out. During last season, Ballers closer Connor Sullivan’s dad Rob would order a hot dog and ask for parmesan cheese game after game. Mike says, “I finally brought it for Italian Night, and he was STOKED!”
Mike says that he previously had more baseball superstitions for himself, but these days his goal is to wear a different hat for every game. With one exception. Mike wore a Nashville Dollys hat for the first game of a big series versus Yuba Sutter. He says, “We won the first game, and [pitcher] Luke Short said I had to wear the Dolly Parton hat all week. We swept ‘em!”
Courtesy Guy Sliwinski (fellow fan-ily profile)
What’s Next
Following up on a record-breaking season for the B’s, Mike is looking forward to the 2026 season and the opportunity to be back with the team and the fans. Mike says he’s excited to see the team continue their growth both on the field and in the community. He looks forward to continued partnerships with other Oakland sports teams and giving Oakland residents the opportunity to come together through the shared love of sports.
When asked what sets Oakland sports fans apart, Mike says, “It’s very grass roots and authentic. There’s nothing artificial about it.” He notes that while there have been big personalities that came along with teams like the Raiders in the past, that doesn’t really exist currently in Oakland. He said that in its place “is just a strong sense of authenticity.” That authenticity and the desire to see sports thrive in Oakland, he believes, will inevitably lead to a stronger community for all of its residents.
During the B’s offseason, Mike stays busy organizing fan tailgates for the Cal Berkeley football games and running a few hot dog pop-ups at local pubs.
And while he loves what he’s doing, he is also looking to continue to build on his career in marketing and social media, and he’s actively looking to expand his talents in a full-time capacity. If you know of something, get in touch at mdavie23@gmail.com.
Melody Martins has lived in the East Bay for the majority of her life and grew up a proud Oakland sports fan; Raiders, A's and Warriors. She is very active with her local Little League and believes that youth recreational sports are the heart of every community. You can reach her at melody.c.martins@gmail.com.
