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Karl Ehrhardt Obituary
He was 83 and died at his home in the Glen Oaks section of Queens, according to his daughter Bonnie Troester. Ehrhardt had been recovering from vascular surgery.
Ehrhardt’s block-lettered signs served as color commentary for both fans in the stands and TV viewers at home. He carried dozens to each game, some witty, some biting.
“Jose, Can You See?” was a regular when Mets outfielder after Jose’ Cardenal struck out. “It’s Alive!” was for hitters who broke out of a slump.
“Just Great!” was for more spectacular moments.
Only the Mets 1969 World Series victory left him speechless. The sign he raised high after the last out read, “There Are No Words.”
At one point he had about 1,200 signs to choose from.
“I just called them the way I saw them,” Ehrhardt told The New York Times in 2006.
“Before I went to the ballpark, I would try to crystal-ball what might happen that particular day,” he said. “I would read all the newspapers to learn who was hot and who was in a slump, stuff like that, and create my signs accordingly.”
Ehrhardt wasn’t always a Mets fan. He grew up rooting for the Dodgers in Brooklyn before switching to the Mets in the early 1960s.
“He was part of the happening that Shea became,” said Bob Mandt, former Mets vice president for baseball operations.
Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and later served as a translator for U.S. forces during World War II.
He graduated from the Pratt Institute with a design art degree after the war and worked for American Home Foods.
His wife, Lucille Schneyer, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandchildren.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
41 Entries
Gerry Geiss
December 18, 2021
Many great Mets memories associated with this man....Thank you Karl...you are remembered well by many people...
John Poulsen
July 31, 2013
They were just talking about him as a trivia question on the game on tv. I remember "Sign Man" when I watched the Mets on channel 9. R.I.P.
marc rosen
November 22, 2011
I was 8 years old, 51 now, my father said keep your eyes open behind third base and to this day I have never forgotten "THE SIGN MAN". One of my greatest heros, experiences and memories of my life!!!!! I am now the sign man for my kids school teams, albeit a rookie compared to "THE SIGN MAN".
Harry Roberts
November 21, 2011
Every Mets fan during the '60s and '70s knew his name it was not Karl it was "The Sign Man." Many a game "The Sign Man" was the best thing that happened at Shea.
A very large part of my childhood has been taken from me. He was not a fan. He was not just someone who held up signs at the game. Karl Ehrhardt was part of the Mets family. Karl you were a part of our family. I wish I could have been there to say thank you. But what I can say, You were truly an "Amazing Met" RIP God bless you
How you can show support
chris johann
October 4, 2010
HE IS SORELY MISSING IN EVERY WAY! THIS NEW BALLPARK IS MISSING HIM AND HIS ENERGY! HEAVEN IS THE BIG WINNER.
Freddy Incle
March 13, 2009
Many great memories i have of this man , very great moments in the NY Mets history, he also got to travel other parks it was amazing his performance in a great stlye, How can you forget Mr. Ehrhardt, he was part of the Mets History . Amazing Mets
Mike O'Connor
August 7, 2008
I was searching the Internet to buy a photograph of the Sign Man of my youth for my dad's birthday and found out that Mr. Ehrhardt had died. I am sorry. When I was a young boy in the early 70's I would collect milk cartons because I could get a free ticket for every five half gallons. I would step up to the ticket booth with my milk cartons and always ask for a ticket down the left field line so that I could be as near to the Sign Man as possible. I could barely read, at four years of age, and would eagerly await the next sign to try to spell it out. After the game, I would go up to the Sign Man to shake his hand. Staub and Garrett and Milan had nothing on the Sign Man. He was my superstar. Now at age 40, I remember him as he was as if it were yesterday and I still get chills as I imagine him bending down to pull out his next sign, wondering what it will say. It is amazing how it is the simple joys of our youth that we hold onto as we get older. Thank you, Mr. Ehrhardt for some wonderful memories.
Jan Elizabeth
March 20, 2008
Condolences from a Tucson Friend! Anyone who can so positively affect another's childhood memories has made this a better world if not only by the people that have come together through his efforts.
Eddie Resner
March 20, 2008
The death of the “Sign Man” brings back memories of many visits to Shea Stadium with my father in the 60’s and 70’s.
As a young child, I remember constantly looking over at the sign man to see his perfectly lettered signs, which he was ready to raise at the drop of a ball, strike, hit, error or a Mets Miracle.
It’s unfortunate that I only learned of his name after his passing but his legacy as a fixture at Shea Stadium will always bring me back to simpler times.
Lest we forget Karl Ehrhardt, “The Sign Man”.
“LEAVING SO SOON?”
Rick Rossano
March 8, 2008
I remember the magical year that the mets won the World Series in 1969. It was the most exciting year in baseball that I can remember. The Sign Man made it that much more special. He had a sign for everything. He is absolutely the best loved met fan of all time. He made the games a happening. Rest in peace.
Steve Shapiro
February 29, 2008
Sometime in the early 70s, when I was a young teenager, I got a ball at Shea and brought it over to Karl to sign. He did so graciously and told me that he had never been asked to sgn a ball before. I still have it (I'll post a picture). Perhaps someone in his family would like it.
FRED APPEL
February 18, 2008
KARL WAS A MEMBER OF THE BUSHWICK CLUB OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER, WE ALL MISS HIM.WE MEET TWICE A MONTH,AND HE ALWAYS HAD A SIGN WITH HIM FOR MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS AND OTHER EVENTS
Ken Schiffmann
February 15, 2008
I grew up with Karl's son and experienced first hand the magic that Karl brought to the games.
Donna Ehrhardt-Mann
February 14, 2008
May I extend my deepest sympathies to your family's loss. Mr. Ehrhardt seems like he was a wonderful man and will be a big loss to the community. Your father reminds me of my dad who was also a huge baseball fan. God Bless...
mike p
February 13, 2008
simply the best
Chuck
February 13, 2008
"YA GOTTA BELIEVE"
and we did because of you .
Dora Bugarin
February 13, 2008
Mr.Ehrhardt sounded like a great guy. My condolences to his family.
Patti Switzer Tindal
February 13, 2008
My heart is warmed by all of the wonderful writings of the people whose lives Mr. Ehrhardt touched. His family must be overjoyed to know this man meant so much to so many. I never knew him... but I wish I had.
Tim
February 12, 2008
As a Mets fan growing up in New Jersey in the 1970s, I will never forget the sign man, even though I did not know Karl's name until recently. He helped make the games memorable, as much as listening to Ralph, Bob and Lindsey. It was a sad day when he stopped coming to the games.
He always said in a few short words what was on everyone's mind. Some say that a picture is worth 1,000 words; his few words were worth 1,000 pictures in the minds of Mets fans.
Ken Mitchell
February 12, 2008
Karl - we always enjoyed the Friday night visits at Koenigs!! For a few years we didn't know of your Shea fame because you were the gentleman who we were just endeared to as a fellow patron with the usual smile - but always during the baseball season with one eye on the TV. Then it came out - "The Sign Man".
We will always have fond memories of our baseball talks and about things in life in general - especially Naomi Watts!!!
WE are so proud that you were a part of our sons' graduation party - they will treasure the "Sign Man" sign forever - a work of art and a work of the heart!
Maureen and I will miss your friendship and your laugh always.
Thanks for letting us be part of your life - we are richer forever.
Drive them crazy with the "Soxcess"
signs up there!!!
To our favorite "Koeniger" !!
Maureen and Ken Mitchell
Donna
February 12, 2008
Growing up in Mt. Vernon, NY, we would watch the Mets on TV. It was always fun to see the signs that would come up after a play. You'll be missed. My condolences to the family.
Karl's friend
February 12, 2008
" There are no words"
Scott Danheiser
February 12, 2008
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Karl. Growing up in Glen Oaks as a neighbor and friend, I had the opportunity to go to many Mets games with Karl and his son Richard. All the best to Karl's family.
Tom Winters, Karl, Me & Ryan Winters - Koenigs June 2007
Dom Capobianco
February 12, 2008
I met Karl last year at Koenigs restaurant in Floral Park when he was introduced to me by Tim Devlin, a manager at Koenigs. For me it was like being introduced to a movie star. Anyone who has followed the Mets over the years knew Karl and his many hilarious and sometimes sarcastic signs. I got a chance to talk to Karl and found him to be a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor. What can one say about a true Mets icon and a legend in Mets history. As one person mentioned its only fitting that Karl's passing is the same year as the old Shea Stadiums closing. Thanks Karl for not only making the games fun to watch but for bringing joy to fans throughout the years -- you will be missed. God bless.
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
February 12, 2008
My heartfelt sympathy to the Ehrhardt family in the loss of Karl.
Richard Brown
February 11, 2008
May God Bless You and Keep You. Baseball and the fans will miss you.
Pat metsy
February 11, 2008
say hello to Casey for us Met fans
Robert D'Addario
February 11, 2008
I met Karl the Summer before he gained fame as the "Sign Man". He and his family would go to the same Northern Catskill resort my family went to year after year. He would wear the same black derby to the resort's softball games as we played neighboring resorts. Good bye and God bless Karl Ehrhardt.
Irv Matus
February 11, 2008
You don't really know how you feel about someone until you lose him.
Karl first invited me to join him in the box of American Home Foods (for which he worked)in the summer of 1972, and from then until the 1979 season, we were a pair at Tuesday night games: Karl with his signs, me with homemade pitch-by-pitch scorecards.
Was he the man he appeared to be? And more! A good-hearted man, who truly loved the game (perhaps a bit too much at times), and a gentlemen.
There was nothing he wanted more than to give fans a laugh -- and to tweak an occasional player and a too-full-himself big shot.
So here's to you, Karl, one last time. It was great to know ya.
Billy Springer
February 11, 2008
Karl was as much a part of the Mets, as Mr. Met himself !
Ted Khoury
February 11, 2008
Having been a Met fan since 1970, the "sign guy" is a warm part of me, like Tommie Agee and Shea itself. Thanks for being a part of some lifetime memories.
Jeff Stroehlein
February 11, 2008
Karl, God Bless You! From 1 of your many friends of the Floral Park Koenigs family. You will surely be missed! your friend Stro, Jeff Stroehlein, NYC Fireman
February 10, 2008
Thank you Karl !!!
February 10, 2008
You were an important part of Shea Stadium and the NY Mets. We enjoyed your presence at the games with your signs... a true NY icon. We will miss you.
February 10, 2008
I always looked for Karls signs at shea.Even as a little boy in 1969 when the Mets won the world series Karl had the greatest signs.They always were right on.
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