"The Sign Man of Shea Stadium" - Karl Ehrhardt was a fixture at Mets games from 1964 through 1981. He was famous for holding up tailored signs after key plays that displayed his pleasure or frustration with the team. Ehrhardt's block-lettered signs served as color commentary for both fans in the stands and TV viewers at home. He carried dozens to each game, some witty, some biting. "Jose, Can You See?" was a regular when Mets outfielder Jose Cardenal struck out. "It's Alive!" was for hitters who broke out of a slump. "Just Great!" was for more spectacular moments. Only the Mets 1969 World Series victory left him speechless. The sign he raised high after the last out read, "There Are No Words." At one point he had about 1,200 signs to choose from. Ehrhardt wasn't always a Mets fan. He grew up rooting for the Dodgers in Brooklyn before switching to the Mets in the early 1960s.
Ehrhardt was 83 years old. He died Thursday at his home in the Glen Oaks section of Queens, NY, where he had been recovering from vascular surgery. Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and later served as a translator for US forces during World War II. He graduated from the Pratt Institute with a design art degree after the war and worked for American Home Foods.
His wife, Lucille Schneyer, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren.
Ehrhardt was 83 years old. He died Thursday at his home in the Glen Oaks section of Queens, NY, where he had been recovering from vascular surgery. Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and later served as a translator for US forces during World War II. He graduated from the Pratt Institute with a design art degree after the war and worked for American Home Foods.
His wife, Lucille Schneyer, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren.
"The Sign Man of Shea Stadium" - Karl Ehrhardt was a fixture at Mets games from 1964 through 1981. He was famous for holding up tailored signs after key plays that displayed his pleasure or frustration with the team. Ehrhardt's block-lettered signs served as color commentary for both fans in the stands and TV viewers at home. He carried dozens to each game, some witty, some biting. "Jose, Can You See?" was a regular when Mets outfielder Jose Cardenal struck out. "It's Alive!" was for hitters who broke out of a slump. "Just Great!" was for more spectacular moments. Only the Mets 1969 World Series victory left him speechless. The sign he raised high after the last out read, "There Are No Words." At one point he had about 1,200 signs to choose from. Ehrhardt wasn't always a Mets fan. He grew up rooting for the Dodgers in Brooklyn before switching to the Mets in the early 1960s.
Ehrhardt was 83 years old. He died Thursday at his home in the Glen Oaks section of Queens, NY, where he had been recovering from vascular surgery. Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and later served as a translator for US forces during World War II. He graduated from the Pratt Institute with a design art degree after the war and worked for American Home Foods.
His wife, Lucille Schneyer, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren.
Ehrhardt was 83 years old. He died Thursday at his home in the Glen Oaks section of Queens, NY, where he had been recovering from vascular surgery. Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and later served as a translator for US forces during World War II. He graduated from the Pratt Institute with a design art degree after the war and worked for American Home Foods.
His wife, Lucille Schneyer, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren.
