Steve Heller, 74.
I met Steve at RFK in the early Nats days. He had grown up in Brooklyn NY, and was an attorney for NTSB after graduating William & Mary. He had always been a Yankees fan but adopted the Nats when they arrived. He wasn't sure how he'd feel when the Yankees came to town for that epic series in 2006, but told me it clinched the deal - he was a Nats fan all the way.
He had some quirks. He would arrive early and nearly always stay until last pitch. He attempted to get the autograph of every single player who made the 25 man roster over the course of any season. He had a pitcher ball, a position player ball, and then overflow balls. He racked up easy autographs at spring training, then almost as easy at RFK, then less easy at Nats Park, then even less easy as they continued to seek separation from players and fans over the years. But if a player appeared in a single game before being dealt or released, Steve would hunt them down if possible to complete his balls for the season. He never sold any of the stuff he collected. He was adept at making friends among the staff and could always be found down behind the Nats dugout before games.
His obit says he was "Mayor of 314", where he sat at the top row. Very convenient for a quick dash to the men's room, and back where he kept score at every home game. He had a stunning collection of Nats memorabilia in addition to the autographs and score sheets for over 20 years. He had 4 full season tickets, but to my knowledge never filled them. He liked to keep his bag on the seat next to him, and would often have a friend in one of the other two seats. He liked for me to come once a homestand, would drive and had a space in the parking deck. He would never take a dollar for the driving, parking or ticket itself, though he'd let me buy him a beer and sandwich. He had to quit beer due to his developing prostate cancer and related treatments over the last couple of years, which ultimately took his life.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/falls-church-va/steven-heller-12924286
