Go crazy with Delgado

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 | 6:51 a.m.

Robert Delgado

Age: 50

Occupation: Paris Las Vegas pit-floor supervisor

An occasional look at the people who are the lifeblood of Las Vegas sports.

You have an interesting job, agreed?

I'm the guy back there acting like he's not doing anything, but we're doing a lot of stuff. It's a mental job.

So this is a great release for you?

A total release. I get so involved in the games I forget about my bills, my work, everything. When I walk in here, I'm a Wranglers fan 100 percent. I never played hockey, but I'm learning all the time about the rules. You have to experience it. I can't explain it.

You're always clapping, yelling, dancing and smiling. Does anyone inside the Orleans Arena have more fun than you?

It's the excitement of the people, the music, the way the Wranglers fans interact with the players. I feel they hear us, that it picks them up and motivates them. I want to be a part of that action. When they get into fights, I'm up. 'Yeaaaaaaah! Hit 'em! Hit 'em!' It drives me crazy.

And you once lost your voice for three days after a game?

Yes. Sometimes I'll come and try to just stay calm, but I can't.

You got into hockey by watching a Triple-A team in Memphis?

It grabbed me and threw me up against a wall. Like, 'Yeah, this is where I want to be!' I love this stuff.

Then you came to Las Vegas in 1997?

I was supposed to be here a year. Been here ever since. I just can't seem to get out. I find things to keep me here, and I thoroughly enjoy the Wranglers. I'm here every game. I don't have a season pass, but I always think about it. I have Thursdays and Fridays off, the rest of the time I'm off at 8 p.m. and I come over.

But this REALLY grabs you. You are not a common fan. You are always animated.

I love this (expletive). Excuse me. I love this 'stuff.' That's my saying - I love this (expletive). Even when we're losing, we try to bring the team back. We hoot and holler, and try to revive them. But it's just so much fun. I've recruited many friends from work and visiting family members from Southern California.

And the ex-girlfriend?

We were seeing each other for about a year, and I took her all the time. She became a fan, and she still comes to the games. I know many people all around the arena.

Do you have a favorite Wrangler?

We call him the Alphabet Man. Zoo-zoo-zoo-zin-shkee. (Left wing Matt Dzieduszycki - pronounced zhay-do-schit-ski.) Hey, it's hard to pronounce his name, but he does a great job. And Mags (goalie Marc Magliarditi), you have to give him kudos.

But you don't have a name or number on your Wranglers jersey?

Because I like them all equally, actually. I can't show favoritism.

And whom do you like to boo the most?

Alaska. From Day One. They consistently beat us and have always been a step above us. I thoroughly enjoy when we whip them. They have great fans, but Wranglers fans are better. We are the best fans in the ECHL.