The New York Yankees have had a terrible week: besides dropping two ALCS games at home to the Texas Rangers, the fabled franchise said goodbye to one of the few superfans left in the game: Freddy “Sez” Schuman.
Schuman, born the same year the original Yankee Stadium opened, was a fixture at Yankees games since 1988, showing up at the gates with his frying pan and spoon, which he used continually throghout games. He also showed up with signs, with the message introduced with a “Freddie ‘Sez'” at the top.
He passed away Sunday after suffering a heart attack. The Bronx Bombers are 0-2 since his departure from this mortal plane.
Superfans were once staples of the ballpark experience: the National Baseball Hall of Fame features an exhibit on the more notable superfans, like Hilda Chester, and one of Freddy’s frying pans is on display. They’re still around — just ask John Adams, a fixture at Cleveland Indians game — but they seem to be less prevalent as baseball becomes more corporate.
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