Behind The Plate: 95-Year-Old Usher Oldest And Longest Serving At Wrigley Field
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's a beautiful day at the ballpark, and 95-year-old June Palm is manning section 106. As the oldest and longest-serving usher, she's been working at Wrigley Field for 27 years.
"After retirement, my husband wanted to do it, so I came with him and we just stayed," she said.
Palm is one of more than 80 ushers who escort fans to their seats, keep things orderly and make sure everyone is holding a ticket.
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"Our guest service ambassadors in the seating bowl are responsible for any pregame, in-game and postgame things such as ensuring cleanliness of their areas, wiping down seats, greeting guests and directing them to their seats," said Hannah Basinger, assistant director, guest services, Chicago Cubs.
Most of them are retirees who spent their summers at the Friendly Confines.
"We meet so many lovely people that come from so far and even the workers, we're all like a big family, now," Palm said.
"We have quite a few retirees," Basinger said. "Many have led successful careers in varying industries before retiring and spending their summers at Wrigley Field. Many associates have spoken about how they grew up coming to Cubs games here and now they want to give back and help create the experiences and memories for people like those that were created for them."
Ray Revera is celebrating his 25th year at Wrigley Field.
"I'll be 88 in August," he said.
On this day, he's manning section 120 behind home plate where he gets to know a lot of the season-ticket holders. Revera says the people keep him coming back each season. His favorite memory? May 6, 1998, also known as "The Kerry Wood Game."
"That was my most exciting game," Revera said of the day Wood struck out 20 Astros. "I know Kerry and Sarah personally, and I will never forget that day."
Palm says a lot of changed over the years -- the uniforms, the people, the players -- but she will always have her favorites: Ron Santo, Mark Grace and Harry Caray.
"I used to like Harry Caray because he'd come down and talk to everybody," Palm said.
She says the favorite part of her job is "the people that I work with and the people that come."
Palm only works day games now, as it's a tough trip at night at her age, but she says she'll keep coming back as long as they will have her.
"I don't have much time, 95 is cutting it pretty close," she reminds the team, as the clock is ticking.
"I'm getting so old, I don't know if I can make another year so they better win," she laughs.
And when they do, she'll have one of the best seats in the house.
