Stan Bronson Jr.
American batboy (1928–2018)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stan Bronson Jr. (July 19, 1928 – January 9, 2018)[1] was an American special needs individual, notable for serving as a batboy for the Memphis Tigers baseball team for over 50 years. He was added to the 2008 edition of Guinness World Records as "Most Durable Batboy".[2]
Stan Bronson Jr. | |
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| Born | July 19, 1928 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 9, 2018 (aged 89) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Years active | 1958–2014 |
| Known for | Batboy at the University of Memphis |
| Awards | "Most Durable Batboy" per Guinness World Records |
Biography
Bronson came to the University of Memphis (then Memphis State University) in 1958 when he asked head football coach Billy "Spook" Murphy for a job with the Tigers football team. Bronson's first job with Memphis was picking up footballs whenever the kickers would practice on the sidelines.[3][4] He worked in the capacity as an equipment manager for the football team until he was in his 60s.
Bronson also served as a batboy for the Tigers baseball team beginning in 1958, and continuing on a regular basis through 2014.[5] When a Tiger home game reached the seventh-inning stretch, Bronson made his way to home plate where he acknowledged, with a tip of his cap, the "Tiger faithful" at the game.[5]
On April 25, 2010, Bronson's jersey (no. 47) was retired and displayed on the right field wall of FedExPark, joining the retired numbers of other Tiger notables.[6]
Bronson died on January 9, 2018, at the age of 89.[5]