Lake Erie designated hitter/first baseman Gordie Gronkowski brings family from out of town to many weekend games, but the 6-foot-7 25-year-old already has himself quite a cult following at All Pro Freight Stadium.
While some of it might have to do with the fact that he's batting .409 (9-of-22) with 10 RBI at home, most of it comes from an outgoing personality.
Gronkowski is the first to greet fans and the last to leave the ballpark.
Every one of the Crushers is approachable. Every one of them signs autographs, but Gronkowski takes the extra step to make sure fans walk away with a little something more.
He's appreciative of praise and listens to criticism. But what he is, more than anything, is an everyday guy.
He was the catalyst Friday in an 8-7 win over Washington, belting a three-run double in the third and adding a bases-loaded walk later, but it's clear those at All Pro sit on pins and needles every time he steps to the plate.
And why not?
He's the throwback player who comes to the park because he loves the game and would play it for free if he had to.