Fan Hall of Fame

Towel Man

St. Louis Blues

Some superheroes wear capes and tights, but Towel Man only needs his namesake to shake the St. Louis arena when his hometown Blues scores. Springing into action, Ron Baechle frantically waves his cloth, standing on a railing for all to behold. Driving his fist into the air, 18,000 blueblood fans shout, “ONE!” for the first goal (two fists for a second goal, etc.).

A St. Louis celebrity, Towel Man’s been counting since 1990, tossing his linen into the crowd after every goal. While the fabric bears his likeness, local businesses have tried to capitalize on his fame by offering him tickets to put their name on his projectiles. He even has his own trading card (“waves right”), which he graciously signs for his adoring public.

But Towel Man is not about the bling accruing to his exalted status. While most people use towels on their skin, he has another goal. Proudly pointing out that his ritual is exceptionally annoying (second only to post-score cannon fire), he says, “... that’s doing your job if you can get under their skin.”