On Oct. 21, KOIN featured a video interview, “Astoria’s Dan Supple makes rockers for MLB players, fans,” during which the local craftsman and former minor league player talked about his Supple Rockers, elegant wooden rocking chairs, made from baseball bats, that have a Major League Baseball theme.

“It’s taken us years to get the geometry, the balance, the visual balance, the leather — there’s a lot of things going on with this rocker,” Supple said. His hard work paid off when one of his rockers made the national news when the New York Yankees gifted a Supple Rocker to their retiring closer, Mariano Rivera. “I’m not going kid you, I’m getting goosebumps talking about it right now,” Supple mused, “and that’s been 11 years ago.”

When someone requests one of his custom rockers, the first question to answer is, “How do you want it to make you feel?” And, once all is decided, it’s a meticulous 14-day process, involving laser millwork, baseball stitching and the utmost precision. “We’ve done 123 rockers now, and every one is so exciting, because every one tells a story,” he said.

During the interview, it was revealed that the rocker idea actually started with a love story. “When I was dating my wife (Kim) — we’ve been married for 41 years — I built her a rocking chair,” Supple recalled.

“They are special, rocking chairs are special. They’ve got what Kim and I call … a heartbeat.” (Photos: KOIN/Supple Rockers)