For 40 years, Walt Srocki has had one of the best seats in the house at Pirates games.<\/p>\n
His job? Making memories.<\/p>\n
Srocki views most games \u2014 and fans in attendance \u2014 from behind a camera.<\/p>\n
At the ballpark, nobody calls him Walt. With his long, salt-and-pepper-colored hair, big smile, Pirates cap and camera, he\u2019s known as \u201cWally the Camera Guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the guy strolling around PNC Park looking for fans to film for the Jumbotron. Dating to the Three Rivers Stadium days, Srocki has worked more than 3,100 Pirates home games.<\/p>\n
He sees himself as an extension of the team into the ballpark\u2019s stands.<\/p>\n
If Srocki sees a kid having a good time, he\u2019ll make his way over to capture footage.<\/p>\n
The kids often might not remember much about the game. But they\u2019ll probably never forget being on the big screen.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-1, at a sunny day PNC Park.<\/p>\n
Srocki will always remember that game. It was his last. He\u2019s retiring after 40 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told the Pirates two years ago,\u201d said Srocki, who is 65.<\/p>\n
His body, he said, is telling him that it\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
Looming labor strife between players and owners and a possible Major League Baseball delay or stoppage in play next season makes the timing right.<\/p>\n
As word spread about his retirement, fans and staff expressed their gratitude.<\/p>\n
Last week, the signs with his picture appeared during home games. A longtime fan and season-ticket holder designed them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Wally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a wrap, Walt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCongrats!\u201d<\/p>\n
The signs nearly brought him to tears.<\/p>\n
This week, fans took selfies with Srocki. He lost count on how many times he posed Tuesday night during a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the Pirates\u2019 final home game of the season, the team flipped the script: Srocki was the star on the big screen. He threw out the first pitch to his brother, Mike, all captured on the Jumbotron.<\/p>\n
\u201cWally, we love you, pal. It\u2019s your pitch,\u201d a voice rang over the public address system. \u201cThank you for 40 unforgettable years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fans hugged him, staff lined up for photos with him, and the team sent him home with a custom baseball bat inscribed with signatures from the Pirates organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting a lot of love, and it\u2019s really special,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fan inspiration has changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The love continued after the game ended.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was walking out, I was signing autographs,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was pretty amazing. People were stopping me as I was walking to my car on the street.\u201d<\/p>\n
First pitch on his last day. ????<\/p>\n
Thanks for everything, Wally (AKA: Camera Guy ????) pic.twitter.com\/tLvzCRIvrf<\/a><\/p>\n