O's Mourn Passing Of Longtime Umpires Attendant Ernie Tyler

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Cal Ripken Jr. called him the "real iron man."

Mary Bubala reports Orioles fans are coping with the loss of Ernie Tyler, the longtime umpires attendant died Thursday night at the age of 86.

Orioles players come and go, but Ernie Tyler was always there by the team's side since 1954. In 1960, he took over as umpires assistant, prepping baseballs with his special touch before each game.

"Ernie's kindness, loyalty and commitment to his work and to the Orioles defined who he was both at the ballpark and in his personal life," said Peter Angelos in a statement. "Ernie will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  On behalf of the club I extend my condolences to his wife, Juliane, and his family."

At Pickles Pub across from Camden Yards, the word was just spreading about Ernie's passing.

"I worked over at Oriole Park, and I have known Mr. Tyler," said Kyle Keesler, Pickles Pub. "Out on the field he was always there. His presence. He was loved. Just a genuine person."

Mary Bubala had the honor of interviewing Ernie Tyler in April of last year at Camden Yards. She knew she was talking to a legend.

Tyler was known as the "other iron man" because of his streak of working 3,769 consecutive home games.

He loved the game.

"Just being near the field, smelling the sweat, you know, it's really just being a part of something," he said in his 2010 interview with WJZ.

Tyler is part of Oriole baseball forever.

His sons are now the Orioles' home and visiting clubhouse managers.  Tyler, a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, is survived by his wife and 11 children.

Tyler will be honored at the Evans Funeral Home on Sunday and Monday from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The address is 3 Newport Drive, Forest Hill, Md. 21050.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Tyler will be laid to rest at Bel Air Memorial Gardens following the funeral mass.