Yankees GM Rappels Down Stamford Building Ahead Of Holiday Event

STAMFORD, CT — As Brian Cashman faces the challenge of preparing the New York Yankees for a championship season next year, the team's general manager took on another challenge Friday morning as he rappelled down the 22-story Landmark Building, one of Stamford's tallest structures.

The event is intended as a "practice run" for the rappelling crew ahead of Sunday's "Heights & Lights" program, during which Cashman, along with Santa Claus and friends, will once again make a daredevil descent down the building.

"It's really cool once you're into it and start getting down the building," Cashman said to Patch.

As the morning air blew cold atop the Landmark Building early Friday, Cashman took a moment to speak with Fox News meteorologist Adam Klotz on the edge of the structure prior to their rappel.

"I definitely was not looking down," Cashman said of the interview.

Even atop a building early in the morning, Cashman was still in Yankees mode, fielding messages from another GM prior to descending the building, however, Cashman said he did not have any news to share regarding potential deals.

"I'm not going to get a text at 6 or 7 a.m. today that says deal," Cashman said. "We're open for business when we find mutual common ground with clubs or players and their representatives, so we're ready to rock and roll at anytime, but it just takes time unfortunately."

He also said he planned to head back to the office that afternoon, hopefully, in time for a Christmas party.

Though it was not his first time taking part in the event, Cashman admitted he still feels a little nervous before scaling the building.

"People may be surprised to hear that I am afraid of heights," Cashman said, "so it's still nerve-wracking, but I highly recommend it regardless."

He mainly has learned to put his trust in the team helping him pull off the stunt, Reckson, a division of SL Green Realty Corp's Rappelling Santa, as well as the rope itself.

"The first year or so, I didn't trust the rope, so I was holding on for dear life," Cashman said. "You get so sore in your palms, because you don't realize how much you are hugging that line, as if it's your lifeline."

According to Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, the annual holiday event is one of the DSSD's 10 signature events this year. It will also be her last as president, as she is set to retire at the end of the month after more than two decades.

"It's a very daredevil event, and these people who do it are real stars," Goldstein said to Patch. "We have a great group rappelling, and this is just practice."

Following Sunday's event at 5 p.m., Santa is scheduled to travel up Bedford Street to Latham Park, where he will join the Stamford community for holiday music with the Candy Cane Carolers and the lighting of the city's holiday tree.

"Our goal is to have people watch [the rappel]," Goldstein said. "Then come downtown, shop, dine, go to the theater and have fun. It's a great downtown, and we do great things here."