Photo by Emily Lucarz Photography
Brad Lee | Publisher, Game Time
Lee used to buy a copy of Game Time before every home game, carry it inside Scottrade, and devour it from cover to cover. Over time, his relationship with the paper evolved from reader to writer to publisher, a position he’s held since 2013. “We’re the voice of the fan,” says Lee, who estimates that he works six to eight hours on each issue. The 21-year-old publication is sold outside the arena before every home game.
Louie | Mascot
Nearly a decade ago, on October 10, 2007, a blue-furred polar bear named Louie was introduced to Blues fans as the team’s mascot. He played “When the Blues Go Marching In” on his sax. It was the greatest night of his life.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
"Tony X" became the St. Louis Blues' most famous new fan overnight.
Tony X | Twitter extraordinaire
Last April, “Tony X” Holmes stumbled across Game 7 of the Blues–Hawks playoff series. He’d never followed hockey before, but was hooked instantly. “It was the nonstop action,” he says. He started tweeting about the game—and became an overnight sensation. Today, the U. City native has more than 77,000 Twitter followers and is sometimes recognized on the street. “It’s kind of crazy,” he says.
Ron Baechle | “Towel Man”
By day, Baechle is a mild-mannered self-employed graphic commercial artist. By night, he is Towel Man, whipping fans into a frenzy by waving a towel and launching it over his head into the crowd after every Blues goal. Now in his 27th season, he brings seven towels with him to every game. If the Blues score more goals than he has towels, he improvises. He’s used paper towels from the restroom. Other times? “I always make sure I have a skate lace in my bag,” he says. “I’ll tie it to the last towel, and after I throw it, I’ll pull it back.”
Charles Glenn | Soloist
The son of an opera-singing mother, Glenn was only 4 when he sang at The Muny. Today, Blues fans know him for his rich second tenor renditions of the national anthem. His philosophy: “It’s an honor to sing the song, so you don’t want to overdo it.”
