40 Greatest Individual Fans/Fan Groups in Baseball History

The life of a typical baseball fan isn't too demanding.

Buy some apparel. Attend a game when it's convenient. Applaud when good things happens.

But I'm paying homage to history's greatest, those who dared to go above and beyond these basic requirements.

Die-hards always stand out, even in a 50,000-person crowd. They gain recognition with creativity, perseverance, commitment of time and finances, or some combination of the three.

Countless fans have let their passion affect the masses in positive ways, so it didn't take long to find 40 worthy individuals and groups to feature.

The Melk Men (San Francisco Giants)

This fan group was born in late April 2012 as outfielder Melky Cabrera got off to a blazing start in his first season with the San Francisco Giants.

The "Melk Men" are comprised of five college students...and one of their dads.

Doug Williams of ESPN.com has more about their origin.

Unfortunately, their existence appears to have been short-lived.

Cabrera failed a drug test due to bloated testosterone levels. Major League Baseball has suspended him for 50 games.

Krazy George Henderson

Contrary to what Krazy George states on his website, it is believed that "The Wave" was introduced at the 1976 Olympic Games (if not earlier).

In light of that controversy, this energetic cheerleader deserves credit for bringing the tradition to the big leagues.

He enticed an Oakland Athletics crowd to participate in 1981. Today, "The Wave" is practiced at nearly all MLB venues.

Gar Ryness ('Batting Stance Guy')

Gar Ryness—aka Batting Stance Guy—helped me put together an entertaining Bleacher Report article, so maybe I have a bit of a bias toward him.

Ryness has launched a successful career from studying and hilariously mimicking how particular batters prepare at the plate.

The innate talent is obvious, but there's a lot of memorization involved as well.

The Wolf Pack (Philadelphia Phillies)

Left-hander Randy Wolf pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies from his 1999 MLB debut through the 2006 season.

The Wolf Pack treated him well. His fans howled and pumped their arms following each of his strikeouts. They have continued to encourage him on the road, even in recent years as his uniform has changed.

Their signature masks captured the imagination of Philadelphia’s promotional department. Replicas were disseminated to the crowd during a giveaway night.

The Wolf Pack must have connected with its namesake. When one spirited member passed away, Wolf attended the funeral.

Howard's Homers (Philadelphia Phillies)

Currently, Philadelphia Phillies fans fill up their venue better than anybody. But despite sheer numbers, Citizen Bank Park has been sorely missing diverse fan groups.

The mastermind behind Howard's Homers kept it simple, and I'm alright with that.

Charlie Sheen (Cincinnati Reds)

Having played competitive baseball through his adolescence, it’s no surprise that Charlie Sheen loves our national pastime.

His fandom and Hollywood career intersected in the late 1980s. Sheen portrayed Happy Felsch in Eight Men Out (1988), as well as Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn in Major League (1989).

He’s most passionate about the Cincinnati Reds and recently agreed to donate $50,000 to the team’s community fund.

President William Howard Taft

Generations ago, U.S. president William Howard Taft set a remarkable precedent by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the 1912 Washington Senators season.

Every commander-in-chief since Taft has done the same at a Major League Baseball game.

But the repercussion didn’t stop there. The first-pitch privilege is now open to active and retired athletes, musical artists, cancer survivors and pretty much anyone that the home team feels like recognizing.

Freddy 'Sez' Schuman (New York Yankees)

Losing use of his right eye crushed Freddy Schuman's dreams of playing baseball at a competitive level.

With time, he learned to suppress that disappointment.

In 1988, when his peers started retiring to Florida, Schuman became the unofficial promoter of the New York Yankees.

He would never sit down. Rather, he made laps around the ballpark, rallying spectators with his lucky frying pan and the original "Freddy sez" sign.

Coneheads

The Coneheads were inspired by the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name, which starred Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman.

These supporters ventured great distances to watch David Cone perform.

Though initially a legion of New York Mets fans, the Coneheads stayed alongside the right-hander on every step of his MLB journey.

Sheff's Chefs (Atlanta Braves)

It began with nine fans in the upper deck of Turner Field, then spread over an entire section. The Atlanta Braves wanted to sustain it, so they provided paper chef hats for those who sat in the vicinity.

Gary Sheffield enthusiasts offered the impending free agent their appreciation in late 2003, but the New York Yankees countered with $13 million per year. The right fielder was more compelled to take the money and run.

What this group lacked in longevity, it made up for in creativity.

Kenshin's Geishas (Atlanta Braves)

These fans got a little carried away after Kenshin Kawakami finished his debut season in the U.S. with a 3.86 earned run average. Their antics may have jinxed him in 2010, as Kawakami fell victim to injuries and ineffectiveness.

It was the first—and for all our sakes, last—instance of grown men cross-dressing to gain the approval of a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Regardless, I respect their dedication.

MLB Fan-Cave Dwellers

If given the opportunity, few baseball lovers would refuse an offer to dwell in the MLB Fan Cave. It leads to hundreds of awesome interactions with players and celebrities. Plus, you’re in New York City.

But remember—you’re obligated to watch all 2,430 regular-season games.

That means the 2011 guinea pigs had to endure 18 Kansas City Royals-Minnesota Twins matchups, and this year’s suckers signed up for nearly as many thrilling clashes between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros.

Sitting through so much mediocrity would cripple many of us. Do not doubt their unconditional commitment to this sport.

Christian Lopez (New York Yankees)

Derek Jeter reached the prestigious 3,000-hit milestone last summer in dramatic fashion with a home run to left-center field.

This 23-year-old cellphone salesman got his hands on the ball after it deflected off his father's palm.

Yankee Stadium security was prepared to offer him a six-figure cash sum. But though Christian Lopez had unpaid hefty student loans from his years at St. Lawrence University, he insisted on returning it to Jeter for minimal compensation (signed gloves, other memorabilia)..

His selflessness deserves to be acknowledged.

Dave Huyette (St. Louis Cardinals)

The circumstances that elevated Dave Huyette to prominence were considerably more dramatic.

The 2011 World Series. Game 6. Extra innings.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Fresse blasted a walk-off homer, and Huyette immediately stuffed the ball in his pants. Security personnel negotiated with him for just a few seconds before he insisted that it shouldn't be a financial transaction.

"I told them I didn't need any money," he told Yahoo! Sports, "but it'd be nice to meet some of the players."

Total purity.

Bill Murray (Chicago Cubs)

Veteran actor Bill Murray hasn’t forgotten his roots.

He frequently attends Chicago Cubs games. Numerous times, he has led the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” though his voice was never really up to the task.

Francoeur's Franks (Atlanta Braves)

Jeff Francoeur did everything correctly in July and August of his rookie campaign. He was flashing the potential of an extraordinary run producer and recycling all the politically correct, level-headed cliches.

The culmination of those things made him the favorite of a few college kids, who created Francoeur's Franks.

They uniformly suited up in hot dog costumes that had been specifically used for hazing purposes at another company.

Mannywood (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Mannywood used to be a premium seating location at Dodger Stadium. This was particularly true during 2008 when the left fielder switched leagues at the trade deadline and flirted with a .400 batting average down the stretch.

Fans would receive free T-shirts and don faux dreadlocks to imitate Manny Ramirez.

Fake Umps (Toronto Blue Jays)

Toronto Blue Jays season ticket-holders Joe Farrell and Tim Williams began their live impersonations in 2009 at the Rogers Centre.

They dressed head-to-toe like MLB umpires and observed from the front row. Whenever a call was made, they exaggerated it.

The duo briefly came out of retirement during the 2010 season to embark on a "Four Games for Bears" fundraising tour. They collected $8,875 for the Major League Baseball Umpires hospital program that brings Build-A-Bear workshops to the bedside of children with cancer or other serious illnesses (via Mike DiMuro's blog post).

Ali Ramirez (New York Yankees)

"The Original Bleacher Creature" passed away in 1996, but the New York Yankees organization is still grateful for his social impact.

Ali Ramirez believed in the Bombers during an era when few others did. He would tirelessly chant and ring a cowbell to fire up those in attendance. Eventually, a tradition was born.

There is a plaque bearing his name located in Section 203 of the new stadium.

Vinny Milano (New York Yankees)

Bald Vinny embraces his role as the modern-day face of the Bleacher Creatures.

Under his leadership, Yankee Stadium’s first-inning roll call has become nationally renowned. It is shown on television in its entirety whenever ESPN broadcasts from the Bronx.

When not attending a game, Vinny designs and sells his own New York Yankees apparel. Authentic MLB gear can be pricey, but his products give the working class the opportunity to wear pinstripes (or clever T-shirts).

Zack Hample

Zack Hample is the world’s utmost authority in the art of ball-hawking.

Hample snagged his first baseball at Shea Stadium in 1990. As of August 13, 2012, according to his personal blog, the collection had swelled to 6,232 balls.

Some were attained via direct toss from a player or coach. The majority, though, have been gathered during batting practices and games.

Hample published a book in 1999 that explains all his tricks.

Alyssa Milano (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Femininity and sports don't need to be mutually exclusive.

Take actress/singer Alyssa Milano, for example. She's the hottest 39-year-old you'll ever see and an obsessive Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Milano unveiled her "Touch" line in 2007, which featured attractive yet comfortable MLB-themed clothing for female fans.

She's using her popularity for the noblest of causes—to interest more women in baseball.

Ian McMillan (Arizona Diamondbacks)

"Awesome."

That was the word Arizona Diamondbacks broadcaster Mark Grace used to describe this 12-year-old, whose generosity became the story of a mid-summer game in 2011.

During a break in the action, Ian McMillan was given a used baseball, much to the dismay of a younger  Milwaukee Brewers fan. McMillan began advancing toward his friends, but then turned around and relinquished the prize.

That sort of maturity is hard to find among American pre-teens.

Paul Simon (New York Yankees)

Paul Simon is a lifelong New York Yankees fan.

The relationship has evolved over the years, from listening to games on the radio, to sitting in the left-field bleachers, to recording a music video on the field.

He even proposed marriage at the stadium, though he and Carrie Fisher only lasted a year together.

King's Court (Seattle Mariners)

Nothing motivates fans to cheer like a dominant starting pitcher.

Even though the Seattle Mariners haven't been formidable in recent years, they've had the luxury of a legitimate ace in Felix Hernandez.

The King's Court was established in May 2011. With matching signs and shirts, its members encourage Hernandez to strike out the opposition and work into the later innings.

That section of Safeco Field was especially rowdy August 15 when the right-hander tossed a perfect game.

McCann's Cans (Atlanta Braves)

Atlanta Braves fans haven't changed!

They'll find any excuse to dress up, though McCann's Cans sounds particularly forced.

Aside from the three can-people in this picture, there is another family four-pack roaming around Turner Field.

Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson (Chicago White Sox)

Unlike typical play-by-play broadcasters, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson does not pretend to be impartial. He's the biggest Chicago White Sox fan and everybody knows it.

He celebrates in the booth, cries in the booth, and on June 2, 2012, Harrelson gave umpire Mark Wegner a piece of his mind after pitcher Jose Quintana was ejected.

Hawk's violent rant was proof of his strong attachment to the White Sox.

Jeffrey Maier (New York Yankees)

The legality of Jeffrey Maier’s actions during Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS can be debated, but his devotion to the New York Yankees? Certainly not.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, he rose from his front-row seat to reach over the right-field wall. Maier caught the ball cleanly, obstructing a Tony Tarasco putout and aiding a Derek Jeter home run.

This blatant fan interference was one of many incidents that ultimately convinced MLB commissioner Bud Selig to adopt limited instant replay.

As a child, Maier sparked great innovation.

Josh Pahigian (Boston Red Sox)

Josh Pahigian is admittedly a huge Boston Red Sox fan, but you wouldn't know it from his writing.

His travels have seemingly taken him to every functional baseball diamond on Earth. In articles and books, Pahigian suggests where fans could find the best bars, promotions, seats, stories, etc.

We owe him a big thanks for scouting and reporting back.

Keith Franklin (UC-Irvine Anteaters)

Collegiate baseball hasn't gotten enough love in this slideshow.

UC-Irvine's program was discontinued after the 1992 season. The Anteaters re-emerged in 2002 and have steadily become a perennial contender in the Big West Conference.

It isn't clear if Keith Franklin's presence is making the difference, but this appears to be more than mere coincidence.

Jerry Remy (Boston Red Sox)

As president of Red Sox Nation, Jerry Remy unifies loyalists from various regions of the United States.

You may know him as a commentator or retain memories from his playing days, but this position is solely fanatical.

Remy's objectives are to acquaint Red Sox fans and allocate money to them for the purpose of organizing lavish watch parties. He has been in office since October 2007.

Mary Melberg (Chicago Cubs)

Mary Melberg, 107, is the oldest Chicago Cubs fan.

She experienced a World Series championship as a toddler and was engaged at Wrigley Field in 1929. But the last eight-plus decades haven't been quite so merry.

Wouldn't it be great if Melberg, one of the only surviving links to the Cubs glory years, was more involved in the team's day-to-day operations?

That's not going to happen, but she told Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times that Theo Epstein will make a fine addition to the front office.

Bill James

Boston Red Sox adviser Bill James began his baseball writing career while working night shifts as a security guard.

His early publications didn't sell well, but he continued researching and analyzing with the objective of changing the way statistics were interpreted. His remarkable findings have accomplished exactly that.

Many current MLB executives cite him as an influence.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner starred in Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989) and For Love of the Game (1999).

Two-for-three ain't bad.

Sean Forman

Because there wasn't a direct way for Sean Forman to access historical baseball stats, he decided to log them himself.

His baby, Baseball-Reference.com, has in-depth information on every major-league and minor-league player, active and retired. The site's game logs go back nearly 100 years, and the play index lets users specify their research.

Well done, Sean.

Dan Reilly (New York Mets)

It takes courage to try something that nobody else has.

When Dan Reilly stepped into the sunlight on April 17, 1964, he became the first MLB mascot to exist in human form (previously, they had only been illustrations).

The New York Mets were absolutely terrible that summer. Reilly was in a vulnerable position, trying to amuse a crowd that didn't have a reason to be happy.

But taking the risk paid off. Mr. Met no longer needs any introduction (via YouTube).

Harry Caray (St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs)

Harry Caray was a unique character, that's for sure.

His longest tenure was with the St. Louis Cardinals, who stuck with him for almost a quarter-century.

While with the Chicago White Sox in the 1970s, he would occasionally do shirtless broadcasts and sit among paying customers in the bleachers.

Like the average fan, it pained Caray to watch his team struggle. That caused him to become very critical of his players on the air. He gained a reputation for deriding them after every miscue and then dwelling on it for considerable stretches of time.

That’s what you get for putting a die-hard behind the microphone.

Drew Carey (Cleveland Indians)

The comedian threw out a first pitch back in 2006, but his love for the Cleveland Indians predates that by many years.

He has passionately rooted for them since early childhood.

The Tribe has honored him with a bobblehead and the title of "greatest Indians fan alive."

Billy Crystal (New York Yankees)

Having formerly played for the New York Yankees does not disqualify Billy Crystal from this list.

After all, his professional career only spanned one spring training at-bat.

Crystal's boyhood idol was Mickey Mantle, and the two actually became close friends. He used to listen to Phil Rizzuto on the radio, which explains why he's capable of such an impeccable impression.

John Adams (Cleveland Indians)

John Adams has been banging his 26-inch-wide bass drum at every Cleveland Indians home game since 1973. That's a streak that spans two stadiums, more than 3,000 games...and zero World Series titles.

The idea of anyone attending so regularly is mind-blogging. Adams hasn't experienced any MLB championships, which makes his perseverance all the more incredible.

His unbreakable spirit leads me to recognize him as one of history's greatest baseball fans.

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