Richmond Flying Squirrels’ clubhouse attendant touches on 40 years of the Diamond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Ahead of the Richmond Flying Squirrels' move to CarMax Park, the franchise is celebrating 40 years of the Diamond with a proper sendoff.

"My grandfather, my father, my two uncles, and my cousin. We all came out here for Father's Day in 1972. And that was my first introduction to baseball," said Steve Barden, Richmond Flying Squirrels' clubhouse attendant.

"I started coming out here religiously at age nine and was fortunate enough to start working out here when I was 17 and been a part of both organizations when the Braves were here and fortunate to be a part of the Squirrels first class operation," he continued.

Barden gave 8News the opportunity to head 'down memory lane' as he explained unforgettable memories being working for both the Richmond Braves, and Flying Squirrels' since April 17, 1985 first as an usher then as a clubhouse attendant.

"'86 was special..'94 was special," Barden said. "Three Hall of Famers came through here in the late eighties, early nineties. All stars, world champs."

As a clubhouse attendant, Barden takes care of the clubhouse, washes uniforms and retrieves the mail among other duties.

His care for the players have coined him the name, 'Uncle Steve.'

"[I] just provide [them with] a positive atmosphere," Barden said. " When they walk out on the field, they have a smile on their face, and they don't have to worry about anything else...they're just playing ball."

Barden says this time is a bittersweet moment but he is excited for the future.

"I'm looking forward to bigger and brighter things at CarMax Park. It's going to be incredible," he said.