Phil Coyne, the legendary Pirates usher who started with the club in the 1930s and then continued for the next 81 years, has passed away at the age of 102, the club announced Friday.
It was estimated that he worked over 6,000 games across Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park. In that time, he saw three Pirates World Series winners, including game seven of the 1960 championship in person.
“Philly really was truly grateful for every Pirates fan who ever came up to him and shook his hand, gave him a hug or even asked for an autograph," Dan Coyne, his nephew, said. "He really loved interacting with the fans and felt the kindness from everyone at the Pirates family over the decades. On behalf of the entire Coyne family, we are thankful for everyone’s support during this time.”
Coyne began escorting fans to their seats in 1936, the same year the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. announced its inaugural class. Coyne’s uniform and employee identification badge are also in Cooperstown.
He decided to retire in April of 2018 at 99 years old. He also ushered Steelers games until he was 98.
The Pittsburgh City council named August 29, 2017 “Phil Coyne day.” The Pirates celebrated his 100th birthday at PNC Park on April 27, 2018.
In 2018, a plaque was dedicated to Coyne between sections 26 and 27 at PNC Park, where he had worked since the park opened in 2001.
“Phil was and always will be a true Pirates legend," Pirates chairman of the board Bob Nutting released in a team statement. "He was a hard-working, passionate family man who proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army during World War II. He worked his first Pirates game at Forbes Field at the age of 18 in 1936. For the next 82 years and more than 6,000 games until his official retirement ceremony on his 100th birthday, Phil was so much more than an usher to us and our fans. As a testament to his life of service to the game of baseball, his Pirates uniform and identification badge remain on permanent display at the National Baseball Hall-of-Fame.
“As we celebrate his life and the many fond memories we all have of Phil, our thoughts are with the entire Coyne family and his many, many friends. He was and will forever be a member of our Pirates family.”
