Here’s a story that will warm your heart and maybe even bring a tear to your eye: Mabel Miyasaki, the Rockies’ 100-year-old superfan, was more than just a fan—she was a legend. But here’s where it gets even more special: Mabel wasn’t just a face in the crowd; she was a beacon of joy, a personality so vibrant that even the players adored her. One photo captures it all: Mabel, decked out in Rockies purple, a birthday tiara perched on her baseball cap, and a lavender lei around her neck, chatting with outfielder Charlie Blackmon during a Cactus League game in Scottsdale, Arizona. Blackmon, towering at 6-foot-3, crouches down to meet Mabel’s 4-foot-7 frame—a moment that perfectly encapsulates their unique bond. Blackmon once said, ‘Mabel is a true one of one. She was a star that shone bright. It was uncanny how she could make you feel better about yourself. The world needs more people like Mabel Miyasaki.’
Mabel, who would have turned 101 this Friday, passed away on February 5, leaving a void that can never truly be filled. She was more than a fan; she was a fixture, a personality, and a source of endless laughter. For decades, she attended nearly every Rockies home opener, starting with the very first one at Mile High Stadium in 1993. Her daughter, Meri Miyasaki, summed it up perfectly: ‘It’s tough, she left a hole that will never be filled. We’ll miss her a lot.’ And miss her we will—her purple nail polish, her Rockies earrings, her larger-than-life presence.
But here’s the part most people miss: Mabel’s impact went far beyond the baseball diamond. Long before she became a Rockies icon, she was a beloved figure at Niwot High School, where she worked in the lunchroom and became known as the ‘Bubble Gum Lady.’ She’d hand out candy and gum at baseball games, and if you didn’t donate to the Niwot Booster Club, she’d give you a look that could melt steel. She even invited me—and former Rockies infielder Clint Barmes—to her home for her famous chicken teriyaki and rice. Mabel was a self-described tomboy who grew up on a farm in Brighton, surrounded by five brothers. She fell in love with baseball early, using it as an escape from ‘girly stuff’ like kitchen duties.
Her list of favorite Rockies reads like a who’s who of the franchise: Hall of Famers Larry Walker (who called her ‘Sushi Mom’) and Todd Helton, Vinny Castilla, Tony Wolters, trainer Keith Dugger, and of course, Blackmon and Barmes. Former manager Clint Hurdle once gave her a framed, signed photo inscribed, ‘Grandma, thank you for your love.’ And in 2010, she threw out the first pitch to Barmes during a Cactus League game—a moment she cherished.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Mabel’s friendship with the late Keli McGregor, the former team president who passed away unexpectedly in 2010, was something truly special. A photo in the main corridor of the Rockies complex at Salt River Fields captures their bond: Mabel’s tiny hand reaching through the netting to shake McGregor’s giant paw. ‘They had a very special bond,’ Meri recalled. But was it just friendship, or was there something deeper? Some fans speculate about the nature of their relationship, though most agree it was a beautiful example of human connection.
Mabel’s birthday tradition during spring training was legendary. For years, she’d gather her family—and often a Rockies player or two—at Sakura, a teppanyaki restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. One year, reliever Manny Corpas joined the celebration. ‘He got me drunk,’ Mabel admitted with a wrinkled nose. ‘I got really silly.’ Meri rolled her eyes and added, ‘Mom, it doesn’t take much. You had two glasses of wine!’
Mabel’s ability to connect with people was unmatched. For over 20 years, she worked at a McDonald’s in Longmont, retiring in 2014 as one of the oldest employees in the country. ‘My mom was one of a kind,’ Meri said. ‘She was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known. But stubborn? Oh my! She had a stubborn streak you wouldn’t believe. But the thing I loved most about her was that she loved to have fun. She was always the life of the party. Even when things were tough late in her life, she had that mischievous grin. She would always laugh.’
Mabel’s last spring training was in 2020, just before the pandemic hit. But she continued to attend Rockies home openers at Coors Field, even at 100 years old. This year, she won’t be there in person, but her spirit will undoubtedly fill the stadium. And this is the question I leave you with: Who in your life is like Mabel—someone who brings joy, laughter, and a little bit of mischief? Let’s celebrate those people in the comments.
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