As a man, if you live 81 years, you have become a statistical winner in the game of life.
There is a gentleman in Pittsburgh who has worked for 81 years as an usher for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. This week, at the youthful age of 99, he has decided to hang-up his whisk broom and flashlight in order to take life a little easier.
Phil Coyne, a 99-year old usher for the Pirates, has finally decided to retire from ushering at his home team’s baseball games this season. He now uses a cane to steady himself and has been taking classes at “balancing school” every week recently. After 81 years of faithful customer service to Pirates’ fans at the ballpark, he has earned his retirement.
In a recent interview, Mr. Coyne admitted, “I’m sad. I tried to make it to 100, but I just couldn’t make it. It’ll be sad, and I’ll try to make games and go over and see everybody and see my people when I can.”
Phil Coyne has been an usher at Pirates’ home games since 1936. After working over 6,000 games, he ushered baseball games for Pittsburgh at Forbes Field until 1970. At that time, the team moved into Three Rivers Stadium, Thirty-one years later in 2001. the Pirates moved into their current home field at PNC Park in downtown Pittsburgh.
Usher Coyne was there at Forbes Field in 1960 for Bill Mazeroski’s home run that won the World Series for the hometown Pirates. He was in Three Rivers Stadium for Roberto Clemente’s championship team in 1971. And, yes, he was there for Willie Stargell’s “We are Family” Pirates squad that won the 1979 World Series.
A retired machinist and World War II veteran, Phil Coyne will turn 100 later this month. On April 27, the Pirates will toast Pittsburgh’s “Ironman of Ushering” along with 200 of his family and friends at a special birthday celebration at the ballpark.
His love of Pittsburgh sports doesn’t stop at baseball. Mr. Coyne has also ushered for years at Pittsburgh Steelers home football games.
Always a servant at heart, Phil Coyne will continue to greet worshipers as an usher at his home church in Pittsburgh. He isn’t planning to retire from that ushering job just yet.