RIP Sign Man

The Sign Man of Shea Stadium died Thursday.

Karl Ehrhardt was one of many symbols of the New York Mets in their formative years. He'd sit in the stands, with a box of signs he'd prepared for the team, and when something happened that was notable, he noted it. He didn't flinch from criticizing the team, often sarcastically, but he was, when it came right down to it, their number one fan (albeit most recognizable with a sign held, two-handed, above his head).

Perhaps his most famous sign (and the one everyone's quoting today) was the one he lifted at the end of the 1969 World Series, giving the lie to the many sportswriters already filling in the blanks of the story they'd been banging away on during the prior innings: "There Are No Words."

I was sorry to see him retire (in 1981); as much as anything, it marked the end of an era in New York sports.

Today, hearing he died of natural causes, is just an echo of that ending. Here's hoping the Mets can live up this year to another sign I recall him hoisting frequently: FAN-TASTIC.

Requiescat.

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The snow, it snoweth.

It's very pretty from inside. Glad I moved the car already, earlier today. And that it's unlikely I'll have to go out for groceries (no French Toast run, thanks) (except maybe bread) (unless I get off my butt and make the machine make some). Good thing we got to the laundry early enough to get the three washers we needed, for two iterations. Last set of driers to finish soon; hope I don't burn myself again pulling it out. At least they're in the building, and no going out into the cold nasty white stuff.

Went and downloaded an upgrade to a Bruce show yesterday -- then today, found the same show, with missing songs (but maybe not at as good quality), on a site that's got ratio-free and double-uploads going. (So of course I'm grabbing that, too.)

The young lady threw up in bed late last night (approximately 1 AM); she was justifiably unhappy and gave me great trouble cleaning her. Today she's been sleeping most of the day, and has a fever, so will stay home from school tomorrow in almost all certainty.

Yeah, it's that kind of day.

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What do these assholes have against 9/8 time signatures, anyway?

Begs the question.

(via MeFi)