Biography Rick Kaminski

1 biography

1.1 years
1.2 career
1.3 death , legacy

biography
early years

richard j. kaminski, best known nickname rick , born in seattle, washington in 1944. kaminski attended king s garden, private christian school in north seattle before graduating seattle s lincoln high school, class of 1962. in high school kaminski right-handed pitcher on baseball team — athletic assignment train him future endeavors.

kaminski veteran of united states army during vietnam war. following return stint in army, kaminski returned native seattle , enrolled @ shoreline community college, located north of city. there elected class president in 1973.

career

in 1977, seattle granted new franchise , team major league baseball replace departed seattle pilots, 8 years before, played 1969 baseball season here before departing become milwaukee brewers. kaminski, working printer designs on becoming attorney in future, took part-time job food vendor in stands of king county stadium new franchise, seattle mariners.

kaminski began storied career stadium hawker selling beer — 1 of more lucrative sales tasks commissioned vendors. however, due competing periodically in tennis tournaments, kaminski missed number of shifts , demoted stadium concessionaire selling lower-priced items.

selling each bag of peanuts proved time-consuming, money passed hand hand, after product made trip in other direction. in effort speed process, kaminski began launching peanut bags through air customers, technique proved not faster entertained crowd, boosting sales. speeding process further, in later years kaminski made use of tennis ball cut slit insertion of cash aerial completion of financial transactions.

over time kaminski developed repertoire of fancier , even-more-entertaining throws, made such flair , prowess tosses documented on espn sportscenter s nightly highlight reels. known not uncanny accuracy steady stream of humorous banter exchanged fans.

kaminski s trademark peanut toss behind-the-back line drive thrown distance velocity — mariners scout clocking 1 such kaminski throw @ 72 miles per hour radar gun. other kaminski creations included sky bag , curve bag , long bomb , , no-look behind back.

despite more prominent career tossing peanuts tens of thousands of hungry fans, kaminski worked seattle real estate broker.

death , legacy

kaminski died july 26, 2011 in seattle of brain aneurysm.

kaminski s career remembered @ time of death in statement mariners president chuck armstrong, recalled:

rick fixture @ seattle sporting events long can remember. speed , accuracy bag of peanuts matched quick wit , smile. seemed happy see you, if meeting first time.

the root of kaminski s iconic status analyzed 1 safeco denizen:

he talked quickly, in high-pitched, slightly-nasally voice, , didn t shy away little flirty talk ladies. d make comments not in mariner vendors handbook — never lewd, mind you, if following thread, not g-rated either. rick individual. , s why beloved. not speed of peanut throws, not banter, not 34 years of service. s unique. s took boring , made joyful. s called art, folks. turned job art.

kaminski s death marked team moment of silence prior playing of national anthem @ july 29, 2011, mariners game against visiting tampa bay rays. following brief memorial, mariners vendors further paid tribute kaminski hurling ceremonial bags of peanuts crowd. kaminski memorabilia displayed team in baseball museum , hall of fame @ safeco field duration of 2011 campaign.