R.I.P. Freddy ‘Sez’

Another Yankee great has passed away in 2010. First it was the voice of the Yankees. Soon after it was the team’s owner. Sunday it was the team’s biggest fan.

Everyone who visited Yankee Stadium in the last 22 years knew who Freddy ‘Sez’ Schuman was. He carried a pan and a spoon for young fans to bang together, as well as encouraging homemade signs.

The Daily News first reported Sunday Freddy had passed at age 85. According to longtime friend Chuck Frantz, Freddy suffered a heart attack Friday night, the night the Yankees came back from a five-run deficit in Game 1.

It’s a terrible, terrible loss for the Yankees franchise. There hasn’t been any official announcement, but at the very least I expect the Yankees to hold a moment of silence in Freddy’s honor before tonight’s game. Many of my Twitter followers have advocated for the Yankees to add a third patch to their uniforms.

On a personal note, this has been a really tough year for me because of the death of my grandma. When incredible people pass on it really makes you stop and think about the ones you love. I know the Yankees have shared that feeling with me this year too. My deepest sympathies go out to Frantz and Freddy’s family.