Here is one for my "up-state friends". Charlie is a retired PA State Policeman who I met back in 2008 at my first Spring Training trip. He works the gates during Spring Training.
When I first heard his powerful but distinctive voice, I knew this man was from the "Coal Regions" of NE PA. He is originally from Centralia, but retired to Florida over 20 years ago.
I am from Mahanoy City which is near to Centralia, and my mother's mother was born in Centralia. Her family owned a barroom, an important establishment in the Coal Regions!
He and I had quite a friendly chatter that year and each year when I return to Spring Training, I look up Charlie. He has since "advanced" from the front gate to working the suites, (another up-stater makes good I told him!).
So again in 2013, I had to "go upstairs" to meet with him. What a character! He was wearing the same hat as last year. I was impressed with his Phandomness and luck with getting all those signatures.
When I complemented him on his amazing hat in 2012, he took it off and said, "you like them?...I wrote them all myself!" I roared with laughter!
What a hoot...but that's Charlie! He alone is worth the price of admission!