Jim Anixter, a Chicago Cubs superfan known as “The Pink Hat Guy,” has died, according to family members.
Anixter died on Tuesday, June 30, at age 81.
Anixter spoke with CBS News Chicago back in 2015 about his commitment to the Cubs. He was a loyal season ticket holder since 1967, with seats located front row right behind home plate.
Shalom Memorial
He told CBS News Chicago he spent so many days at Wrigley Field that in the ’90s, his wife started wondering if that was where he really was.
Anixter came up with a plan to prove it on TV.
“I wore a green shirt and a pink hat just so she could see him in the first row,” Anixter said. “Yes, I’m really at the ballpark. Yes, I’m very loyal.
Since then, Anixter has become known worldwide as “The Pink Hat Guy.”
As noted in a published obituary, Anixter was an accomplished businessman who served for 22 years as executive vice president of Anixter Brothers, a wholesale wire and cable distribution founded by Anixter’s father, Alan, and uncle, William.
Anixter then went on to found AZ Wire and Cable in 1988, and built it into a successful family business in its own right.
Anixter was also inducted into the Illinois Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1989. The Chicago Tribune reported he was the sponsor of a team called the Anixter Bombers.
Anixter bought his first season tickets for Cubs games in 1966, and became a familiar face in the front-row seats behind home plate beginning in 1967, his obit read.
His family added in the published obituary:
“To millions of baseball fans, however, Jim was simply “The Pink Hat Guy.” His unmistakable bright pink baseball cap became one of the most recognizable sights at Cubs games and a beloved symbol of Wrigley Field. The tradition began as a playful promise to his wife that she could always spot him on television, know he was exactly where he said he would be, and not “fooling around.” After the 1990 All-Star Game, the pink hat became a permanent part of Jim’s identity. Through decades of unforgettable Cubs moments, he became as much a fixture at Wrigley Field as the ivy on its walls. To generations of fans, “The Pink Hat Guy” wasn’t just a nickname; it was Jim. He will forever be remembered as a cherished part of Chicago Cubs history.”
A funeral for Anixter is planned for Friday in Glencoe, Illinois.
