The List: 10 things Alex Anthopoulos, the boy wonder Blue Jays GM, can’t live without

The List: 10 things Alex Anthopoulos, the boy wonder Blue Jays GM, can’t live without

1. Live music
There is nothing like seeing a great band live. My first concert was Poison, when I was in Grade 6. My all-time favourite is Springsteen: I saw him twice at the ACC. If you haven’t been to a Springsteen concert, you haven’t lived.

2. My native cuisine
Obviously, I love Greek food, especially feta and olives. One of my favourite memories is my dad roasting lamb on a spit every Easter. In Toronto, I go to Kalyvia on the Danforth (420 Danforth Ave., 416-463-3333).

3. Raptors games
I love going to basketball games because I get to be a fan and relax, drink a beer, yell. When I’m watching baseball, I’m analyzing and thinking about how this applies to my job.

4. Hair gel
I’m not a big product guy, but I’ve been using KMS California HairPlay for a while—it gives me the kind of spiked look that I like.

5. My workplace memento
The Expos are my home team, and my first baseball job was with them—I started as an intern. When I left in 2003, everyone signed this ball for me.

6. My family photo
This is the only photo I have of my dad with my brothers and me. He passed away in 1998, so I really treasure it.

7. My Olympic souvenir
I was an advanced scout for the Greek baseball team during the 2004 Athens Olympics. I got to stay in the athletes’ village and walk with the team during the opening ceremony, which was truly awesome.

8. My sports bible
The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh, former head coach of the 49ers, is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I read it right before I got my first job with the Jays, which is funny because it’s really relevant to what we’re doing as an organization. I re‑read it at least once a year.

9. Shopping binges
I love nice clothing, but I can’t stand the process. I hate trying stuff on. Once a year, I’ll do one giant shop. My favourites for work clothes are Harry Rosen (218 Yonge St., 416-598-8885) and Korry’s Clothiers (569 Danforth Ave., 416-463-1115).

10. Playing the bass
I have a Fender jazz bass at home. My brothers and I had a band growing up—we’d practise in the basement. My oldest brother is a music teacher now, and my other brother played drums on a Sam Roberts album. I’m the only one who went into sports.

(Images: Anthopoulos, cd, baseball, photograph, hat and book by John Cullen; guitar courtesy of Fender Musical Instruments; gel courtesy of KMS; tickets courtesy of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment; shirts and bag courtesy of Harry Rosen; bowl from iStockPhoto)