Pirates' usher retires after 81 years on the job (!)

[fan_since79]

Phil Coyne turns 100 in three weeks. He can no longer do the job after a recent bad fall.

I don't know whether to cry or just stand in awe of the man.

https://theincline.com/2018/04/05/phil-coyne-the-pittsburgh-pirates-99-year-old-usher-walks-off-after-81-seasons/

[101halo]

I love this so much. Hope you get to enjoy the game on TV for many more years, Phil! 

[Stradling]

Man what an inspiration and what a heart break both at the same time.  

[Blarg]

“I quit this year because my head — something’s wrong up there. My equilibrium is off, and I was scared of falling.”

Ok, I think I know what is ailing him now. It's acronym is BPPV.

Benign 

paroxysmal 

positional

 vertigo

I had a wicked case of this a few years ago and, went through all sorts of medical tests, had a CT scan of the brain, met with a specialist and no diagnosis or cure. The symptoms were intense verigo brought on by any number of head movements, sitting, standing or lying down.

It wasn't until I was getting physical therapy for my ankles that I mentioned some of the excercises we're causing head spins and the therapist said I could have BPPV. 

It is often caused by either head trauma or some other intense high blood pressure incident to the head like intense vomiting. What happens is a small crystal of calcium carbonate dislodges in the ear canal and makes it's way to the chambers that control balance. The crystal interferes with the movement of fluids creating a disorientation where the signals for balance are crossed. 

The cure is simply a series of specific head positionings to literally move the marble through the maze and out. It was an extremely vicious verigo attack going through the procedure, I almost vomited trying to last through the one minute of torture while this tiny crystal slowly worked it's way out. But once freed the symptoms never came back and I had been dealing with it for over a year.

 

[WeatherWonk]

My God, did he see Honus Wagner play? Did he at least meet him?

[nate]

17 minutes ago, WeatherWonk said:

My God, did he see Honus Wagner play? Did he at least meet him?

Wagner would have retired about 20 years before he started ushering.  Before he was born.

[fan_since79]

He wouldn't have seen Wagner, but the 1937 Pirates (I'm guessing this was his first year as usher) had five future Hall of Famers on their roster: Waite Hoyt, Paul and Lloyd Waner, Arky Vaughn, and Pie Traynor.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1937.shtml

 

[Angelsfan1984]

couldn't even make it 82 years...what a pussy.

[UndertheHalo]

Hopefully the guy has a free pass to come out to the park whenever he feels up to it.  He’s certainly earned it. 

[Torridd]

3 minutes ago, UndertheHalo said:

Hopefully the guy has a free pass to come out to the park whenever he feels up to it.  He’s certainly earned it. 

That should go without saying

[fan_since79]

The article mentioned the team is going to have a birthday celebration for him at the park later this month, and he plans to be there.

Yeah, season tickets in a suite for him, for the rest of his days. The least they can do.

 

[Dave Saltzer]

What an incredibly cool story and love of baseball. Just like when a pro knows when he is done, and needs to walk away from the game, Phil did the same thing. I hope I can make it that long and can still go to games. 

[Taylor]

39 minutes ago, ANAHEIMBOB said:

There is worker in the Angel parking lot named Merill, he must be close to 90 or older. I think he has been working since 1966. Do any of you know him?

Maybe AIR?

[fan_since79]

Phil died just short of his 103rd birthday.

Rest in Peace.

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=909837

[Jason]

1 hour ago, fan_since79 said:

Phil died just short of his 103rd birthday.

Rest in Peace.

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=909837

He didn’t get cheated out of life. That’s for sure 

[totdprods]

Prince Philip, DMX, and Phil Coyne. 

[Blarg]

Prince of England, Prince of Rap and the Prince of Pirates. The world took a cultural hit this week. 

[NJHalo]

He won