2020 took the Coors Field experience away from every fan. Our memories are more distant than any standard year, which makes the 2020-21 offseason a perfect time to reminisce on why Coors Field is so special—for so many people. We shall never forget how much we love the ballpark. We shall never forget the ones that make it special.
When I think about the Coors Field ballpark experience, one person comes to mind that epitomized the joy of being at 20th and Blake. His voice was iconic. His ballpark presence was infectious. His duties were selling beer as a vendor, but he sold everybody on his love for making others feel special.
It has been three seasons since Brent “Earthman” Doeden bid his farewell to Planet Earth. The beloved beer vendor frequented the sections of Coors Field adorned with purple facial hair, empty bottles on his hat, a signature Earthman badge and subsequent accessories that only a guy named Earthman could pull off. One might argue that on any given ballgame, he was the most identifiable person at Coors Field.
The man even had business cards. Listed was his work phone, a direct line for beer whenever a game was in action. “This is Earthman! What section, what row?”
I fondly remember 2014 spring training when he roamed the sections at Salt River Fields. I was thrilled to see a Coors Field staple on a one-month remote assignment; the Cactus League gives us our first taste of baseball each year, but an Earthman sighting made it even more real. After a nearby sale, he took a moment to discuss outer space and his terrestrial existence with many in the section. A young fan listened intently to every word, mystified by his unusual accessories and joyous demeanor. Earthman would later kneel down to meet him at eye-level, and hand him a miniature alien figurine: “Here’s a ticket to my spaceship that is leaving in 40 years.”
We go to the ballpark for so much more than a baseball game. I don’t even remember who the Rockies played during that spring training game, but what I remember most is seeing Earthman make somebody’s day—and make mine in the process.
Earthman passed away in July 2017, surrounded by family in his Arvada, Colorado home. He was diagnosed with inoperable cancer less than one year prior, and his final games at Coors Field were celebrated not as a beer vendor, but as a beloved fan in the stands.
On Thursday night, I put out a call on Twitter for some additional Earthman stories; I knew there had to be great tales from many people, and I felt it was exactly what Rockies fans needed during the worst year ever for a Coors Field spectator. Thank you to all who retweeted, replied, and paid their respects for the beer vendor legend.
Rockies fans! I’m looking to feature the late Earthman in an upcoming article. One of the most beloved to ever frequent Coors Field.
— Justin Wick (@justwick) November 6, 2020
Please reply, DM or email (or RT!) a memorable encounter you had with Earthman and I’ll look to include several in the article! pic.twitter.com/SSsFyv6l8Y
“I vended with him for years, all-time great guy. Always willing to share the love. There was a big group one night out in the RF corner—that wasn’t his typical spot but this group wanted him to be their beer guy. He knew I wouldn’t crush it selling cotton candy over there, but he bought up half my board (he was making a killing that night) and passed em around to the kids in the group. Made a lot of people’s night that night—myself included.” — @berndogg9
“Met him at spring training—he put his cell number in our phones so we could direct dial him whenever we needed more beer!” — @mollydooker
“He gave me a double header pin one time in center field. Such a skill to become someone’s instant friend.” — BaLex Mwaterfield
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