From 1964 to 1981, the Sign Man, dressed in a blue shirt and a black derby emblazoned with a Mets logo, responded on cue to much of the drama played out between the white lines.

This weekend The New York Times featured a story on “The Signman”, a fixture at Mets’ games for nearly 20 years at the start of the franchise, so much so that he was invited on the team charter and team functions.

Later the team soured on his uncensored impromptu signs and he stopped coming.  Under new management the team invited him back in 2002.

I have this to say about that:

I love the organically grown fan traditions and the characters at the game that are pure fans.  It the most genuine honest expressions of the event.  Every team should welcome and encourage fans to honestly express themselves and highlight these in their show.  it shows fans that it’s not only okay to get wrapped up in the emotion, but that it’s encouraged.

I can name a dozen fan inspired events across the country, each is positive and entertaining…each organic.  If you can’t name your own, you should not only be asking “where are our great crazy fans“, but “what can we do as a team to encourage and highlight those fans“?

-Cudo