Phil Coyne: Baseball usher since 1936 retires at 99.
When then 18-year-old Phil became a Pittsburgh Pirates usher, the world was grappling with The Great Depression.
Television, computers, medical and telecommunications revolutions and space travel didn’t exist.
For the next 81-years, Phil was a Pirate usher, except for 1941 to 1945 when he served in World War ll. This his story:
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Phil, who worked full-time as a machinist until retiring in 1980, ushered about 6,000 Pirate games, and also ushered Pittsburgh Steeler football games until he was 98.
As a result, he became popular with generations of fans. In recent years, fans took “selfies” with him, and posted those photos on social media, all new concepts to Phil.
But Phil remained humble. Even as he approached 100, he still arrived at the ballpark by bus well before the game and cleaned the seats in his aisles.
He then greeted the fans, and helped them to their seats, while answering their questions.
Phil remained so spry, he went up and down the aisle stairs throughout a typical 3-hour game as you will see in this remarkable YouTube 2-minute, 43-second video, here.
Afterward, Phil used a cane to board a bus to head home, relishing the game he had just ushered and looking forward to the next game.
In Phil’s honor, this Friday, April 27th the Pirates are hosting his 100th birthday celebration. While he has no wife or children, his family from various parts of the world will happily join him.
How valuable to the team is Phil? The host, Pirate president Frank Coonelly warmly told The New York Times, “I’m still holding out hope that he’s going to decide to come back.”
Editor's Note:
To learn more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/sports/phil-coyne-usher-pittsburgh-pirates.html.
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A simple act that rescues thousands of children from death.
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