Longtime Cardinals supporter Marty Prather, best known to fans as “The Sign Man,” is in critical condition, and news of his hospitalization has sparked an outpouring of concern across the sports community. Prather, a Springfield, Missouri native, has been a familiar face at Cardinals, Blues, and Missouri State games for decades, holding up clever and often memorable signs that became part of the game-day experience.
Barry Hinson, former Missouri State basketball coach and now an administrator at Oklahoma State, shared on social media that Prather is currently on a ventilator, “fighting for his life.” In his message, Hinson encouraged fans to honor Prather by creating their own signs, a fitting tribute to the man whose homemade messages lit up stadiums for years.
Hinson also praised Prather’s deep commitment to the community, noting how he always gave his time to charitable causes, local sports, and schools. “Marty has fought hard for all of us,” Hinson said, adding that now it’s the public’s turn to rally behind him. The call has resonated with fans across Missouri and beyond, many of whom have begun posting supportive messages and signs online.
Prather’s legacy stretches back to the 1985 World Series, where he debuted one of his most famous placards reading, “The Fat Lady is Singing,” when the Cardinals led the Royals 3-1 in the series. Although the Royals came back to win, that sign launched Prather’s long tradition of humor and heart at sporting events. His passion for the teams and his impact on the culture of St. Louis sports eventually led to his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
On Wednesday, the Hall of Fame itself joined fans in showing support, posting a message with a sign in Prather’s honor. From the stadiums of St. Louis to the halls of sports history, “The Sign Man” has left an indelible mark, and now the community that he entertained for decades is uniting to lift him up in his fight.
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