When it comes to baseball, Al's dedicated. And like many Red Sox fans, his loyalty doesn't extend far beyond Boston.
But he still enjoys going to Mariners games: "It's not like going to [root for the Red Sox at] Yankee stadium," he jokes. "The people here are great."
A seasoned vendor, Al's sold street newspapers for some time -- first in Boston and now in Seattle. In Boston he sold Spare Change, which, ironically enough, was also founded by Real Change's founder and executive director: Tim Harris.
Last June, Al came to Seattle and picked up where he left off. He went through vendor orientation right off the bat, and shortly thereafter began selling over 300 papers a month.
"I like talking to people," he says. "It makes me feel good to come out everyday."
Selling the paper helps Al supplement his disability income just enough to pay the bills. His check rents him a bedroom in a shared living unit in South Park, and the extra cash he makes selling Real Change covers the rest. "It helps pay for food and transportation," he tells me.
You can find Al selling the paper at 125th and Lake City Way, and sometimes near 45th in Wallingford, so be sure to give him your support. Or talk baseball. Just don't bring up the Yankees.
"I just want to thank everyone," he says. "That's what I keep coming out for, because people are so nice."