University of Memphis Athletics
Stan Bronson Passes Away Tuesday
Jan 10, 2018 | Baseball
"Most Durable Batboy" served the Tigers baseball program for 56 seasons.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Longtime University of Memphis athletics supporter Stan Bronson Jr. passed away Tuesday morning in his hometown of Memphis. He was 89 years old.
The Memphis Athletics Department is planning a ceremony to honor Bronson when the 2018 Tigers squad opens its baseball campaign the weekend of Feb. 16-18.
Bronson, who was born July 19, 1928, was a fixture around Tigers athletics, but was more recognized as Memphis baseball's batboy, a position in which he served since 1958. He regularly attended Tigers home baseball games up through 2014 – a stretch of 56-consecutive seasons in which Memphis played nearly 2,500 home games (2,491).
In addition to his batboy duties, Bronson was known for a special 7th-inning tradition at Tigers home baseball games. When the game reached the middle of the 7th inning, the time was Bronson's spotlight. The Tigers' legend popped from his seat beside the home team's dugout and headed to the home plate area where he acknowledged, with a tip of his cap, the Memphis faithful who made it to that day's game. The fans, in turn, acknowledged Bronson with applause.
For his years of service as the Tigers batboy, Bronson was honored in 2007 and 2010. The first accolade came in 2007 when Guinness World Records recognized Bronson as the "Most Durable Batboy." Bronson was presented the official Guinness World Records certificate in a pre-game ceremony May 5, 2007.
Three years later, Bronson had his jersey retired by the Memphis baseball program. The jersey retirement ceremony took place Apr. 25, 2010. Bronson's jersey is one of 14 retired in Tigers baseball history. Bronson's No. 47 jersey is located on the back of the third base dugout at FedExPark on the University's Park Avenue campus.
Bronson attended every practice for both the Tigers football and baseball programs and made cameo appearances at Tigers women's basketball games and volleyball matches. The Memphis icon also was a regular on the University's main campus, hanging out with students at the University Center and the school's library.
The Memphis Athletics Department is planning a ceremony to honor Bronson when the 2018 Tigers squad opens its baseball campaign the weekend of Feb. 16-18.
Bronson, who was born July 19, 1928, was a fixture around Tigers athletics, but was more recognized as Memphis baseball's batboy, a position in which he served since 1958. He regularly attended Tigers home baseball games up through 2014 – a stretch of 56-consecutive seasons in which Memphis played nearly 2,500 home games (2,491).
In addition to his batboy duties, Bronson was known for a special 7th-inning tradition at Tigers home baseball games. When the game reached the middle of the 7th inning, the time was Bronson's spotlight. The Tigers' legend popped from his seat beside the home team's dugout and headed to the home plate area where he acknowledged, with a tip of his cap, the Memphis faithful who made it to that day's game. The fans, in turn, acknowledged Bronson with applause.
For his years of service as the Tigers batboy, Bronson was honored in 2007 and 2010. The first accolade came in 2007 when Guinness World Records recognized Bronson as the "Most Durable Batboy." Bronson was presented the official Guinness World Records certificate in a pre-game ceremony May 5, 2007.
Three years later, Bronson had his jersey retired by the Memphis baseball program. The jersey retirement ceremony took place Apr. 25, 2010. Bronson's jersey is one of 14 retired in Tigers baseball history. Bronson's No. 47 jersey is located on the back of the third base dugout at FedExPark on the University's Park Avenue campus.
Bronson attended every practice for both the Tigers football and baseball programs and made cameo appearances at Tigers women's basketball games and volleyball matches. The Memphis icon also was a regular on the University's main campus, hanging out with students at the University Center and the school's library.
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