R.I.P. Ralph Platner, “Program Guy”

The man known as Ralph to his friends has been selling programs, food, or souvenirs at Blue Jays games since season one at Exhibition Stadium (1977). People like Raph the Program Guy (and Rick the Blue Jay drummer, and Wayne the Ice Cold Beer vendor, et al) add a lot of flavour to the ballpark experience. I really get a kick out of seeing them doing their thing game after game year after year.

Ralph missed most of the 2014 Blue Jays season due to a stroke that he never recovered from. I found out today that he recently died at the age of 67. What great condition he was in! In tribute I am sharing this selection of pictures I captured of him plying his trade. I like that it shows him outside/inside, standing/on the move, 100 level/500 level, and SkyDome/ACC.

July 1, 2011 pre-game outside gate 11

September 8, 2011 climbing the aisles in the 100 level

April 2, 2013 pre-game in the 500 level

February 21, 2014 lower bowl at the Raptors (last photo I have of him)

Raphael “Ralph” Platner: October 1, 1947 - October 9, 2014

Funeral information and condolence messages here.

Two prior posts I did on Ralph appear here and here.