My search for intriguing characters who epitomized the timeless charm and colourful persona of Yankee Stadium came to an inspiring start when I heard a loud, persistent clanging as I walked around the bustling perimeter of the historic ballpark before Game One of a weekend series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. 

Throngs of fans were milling about, haggling with scalpers, lining up for obligatory hotdogs and exuding a collective sense of anticipation for the impending action. In the middle of it all sat Freddy Schuman, affectionately known as Freddy "Sez," banging on an old greasy frying pan with an oversized spoon, doing his part for the team he loves. 

Freddy is one of the most recognizable and well-loved fans in Yankee history and he earned that distinction by consistently putting smiles on the faces of others with his unbridled enthusiasm and passion. But on this evening his friendly demeanour is tinged with both anxiety and sadness.

Not only are his beloved Yankees still fighting for an unlikely playoff spot, but the stadium they've called home since 1923 is on its last legs, soon to be replaced by a neighbouring facility. 

The sign he holds says it all; "YANKEES RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND SPACE!"

Freddy has been a fan since he was a young boy, but only started showing up at the ballpark after retiring. Since then he's been a permanent fixture at games, and has even been invited to attend several Yankees parades over the years. There was also a write up about him in the 2008 ALL STAR Game program, calling him 'one of the most dedicated and well-known fans.' 

"I've been coming since my retirement, I used to be a truck driver, this is my 20th year and I've been getting the fans to cheer and hopefully wake up the Yankees. It doesn't always work," he adds with a grin. 

"I've lived in New York the past 82 years and I'm 83."

When I ask him about the new stadium, he wears his emotions on his sleeve. "It's very sad," he admits.  "This is the place where all those records were made, we're gonna have to start all over again, it's very sentimental, put it that way, especially for anyone who has been a Yankee fan. 

"Hopefully they'll get a team together that's going to be pretty good, they haven't been playing very good."

Freddy's fondest memories at Yankee Stadium revolve around the team's shining moments.

"In 96, we won that year, 98, 99, 2000, and almost in 2001. And each year the city invites me to be in the parade, so that was a thrilling feeling too."

Before I leave him, Freddy hands me a half dozen or so of the Yankees newsletters he occasionally prints off. I thank him and head inside the stadium where I eventually run into another classic character. Fifty-nine-year-old Tomas Fyfe (pictured below) has been working as a member of the field crew for the past 27 years.

We become acquainted when he barks at me to get out of his way, pointing out the areas I should steer clear of so he and his crew can operate unimpeded. He comes across as crusty and intimidating, and his tattoos and bulldog physique only add to that perception, but once we start talking it becomes apparent that his tough New York exterior is simply that - an exterior. He proves to be an engaging and humourous man who has been around the block enough times to make anyone dizzy.  

He's sentimental, but also practical when I raise the subject of a new stadium.

"I will miss it, but it's antiquated," he says before hustling out to groom the field between innings. "I will really miss it I admit that, but I went over there (to the new stadium) Friday and it's going to be beautiful."

"You hope they can carry the magic over, that's the big thing, all (those historic moments) happened here, are people going to accept it being over there? You don't know."

While Freddy is banging on his pan and Tomas is keeping the grounds in top shape, Laurie (pictured below) is serving beer to a crowd that's notorious for its rowdy behaviour. 

"I'm a server, I'll been doing it for 11 years. It's tough sometimes but I like it," the dark-haired beauty explains during a rare quiet moment. "Dealing with the public is not easy."

Like Fyfe, she's emotional about leaving the old park behind, but still thinks it's a wise move. "I think we need a bigger, better ballpark and I think overall the public will get better service because of it. The history is here, but I think in the long run they will be happier, I think they'll forget about that rather quickly. I'll be sad though."

Dealing with drunks is commonplace for Laurie, and she's used to seeing the type of scene that unfolded on Friday night when an inebriated man, reportedly from British Columbia, ran out onto the field before being tackled and dragged away by New York's finest. 

"You need thick skin and you've got to love the noise, and the roughness," she adds.  "If you don't, you can't do it."

"It's all part of baseball believe it or not, the guys hitting on me, the nastiness, the fighting, it's all part of baseball."

And as she explains, drunks are the least of her worries.

"I get distracted worrying about foul balls," she admits with a chuckle.  "You see a lot of people get hit with balls and it's scary."

"We're like a family, " she concludes, referring to Yankees employees.  "You learn to love everything about the place.  We're watching the countdown and I can't believe it's almost over. (When we start our shift) we can't wait to go home, and in the end we don't want to leave."

michael.talbot@citynews.ca

Check out our other exclusives from Yankee Stadium:

CityNews In New York: Series Photo Gallery

CityNews In New York: Blue Jays Out On A High In Yankee Stadium Finale

CityNews In New York: Jays Fans Make Historic Pilgrimage For Club's Last Stand At Yankee Stadium

CityNews In New York: David Eckstein Waves Goodbye To Jays, Yankee Stadium On Same Day

CityNews In New York: Jays Bask In Classic Comeback After Penultimate Yankee Stadium Tilt

CityNews In New York: A Closer Look At The New Yankee Stadium

CityNews In New York: Jays Gem Travis Snider Has Dream Debut At Yankee Stadium