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ROBBIE GRENIER VETERANS FIELD CARETAKER

IS SMILE BEAMS across his face as The 52-year-old groundskeeper is
he pounds the passenger’s seat unmistakably humble, though he’s finally
Hof his golf cart, an invitation to earning proper recognition. Robbie
hop on. When there’s a new friend to received the Fred Ebbett Lifetime
meet, no one is more excited than he Achievement Award from the Cape Cod
is. Baseball League Hall of Fame this past
He takes a sip of his Dunkin’ iced November for his dedication to the Anglers
coffee — he has one every day — and organization. His name is now forever
asks how your day is going. It doesn’t included among some of the most well-
matter how you answer, he’ll still find renowned Cape League figures, a fitting
a way to make you laugh. tribute to this Chatham legend.
He drives onto the field and takes “He does so much for the organization,”
you on a joyride. He bursts out stories West said. “He knows where everything is,
of the old days, and may proceed to he helps the coaches out, he helps me out,
talk your ear off about NASCAR, his and he’s a great liaison with the town. He
pet Parakeet Poncho2, or how he’s a also reminds me of things I don’t remember
former Eagle Scout. Most special of all, … And he’s done all this for 30+ years.”
he tells you about Veterans Field and
his many contributions to get it ready West announced Robbie’s Cape League Hall
for a season. Each year he’s involved of Fame honor to the Anglers’ organization
in putting up the protective netting, at last year’s ‘meet the players’ lunch at
adhering the windscreen and bunting Chatham Bars Inn. A’s players, coaches
to the outfield fence, installing the and all in attendance lauded Robbie with
netting on our two batting cages, a raucous standing ovation, which Robbie
ensuring the sound system and the received with a wide grin on his face.
sprinkler systems are operational, and
any number of other crucial fixes that Robbie has seen it all in his 30+ years, 25
need to be made after Veterans Field of them spent working alongside former
hasn’t been used over the winter. He manager John Schiffner. “He was my right-
tells you all these things, not because hand man for all of those years,” Schiffner,
he’s selfish, but because he wants the Anglers’ manager from 1993-2017,
you to share in his unwavering passion for Veterans Field — a said. “For what he’s done during his time in Chatham, he’s
passion he hopes you’ll love just as much as he does. absolutely fantastic. He’ll do anything you ask him to do,
and he’ll love it,’” Schiffner recalls.
He’s Robbie Grenier.
And he’s welcoming you Matt Fincher, a Chatham assistant coach from 1997-2006,
to Veterans Field. Who said Robbie bounced around the park so much he and
better to do the job than Schiffner never knew where he was, but they didn’t worry.
its loyal steward of the Fincher said “If the sun comes up, you’re going to see
past three decades? “It’s Robbie at some point, he’s part of the make-up of Chatham.
just nice being involved,” I always knew that at some point, I’d talk to Robbie for a
Robbie said with an little bit.”
ear-to-ear smile, sweat
pouring down his face as His dedication to serving Veterans Field is palpable. Robbie
he admired his baseball works on the field year-round, and in the off-season he’s
diamond on a cloudless always finding things to fix, mail to retrieve, and new
late June morning. “It’s a ideas to implement. One new idea Robbie successfully
blast. I’m always getting implemented was the acquisition of his cherished John
to do what I love doing.” Deere Gator. He had wanted a Gator for quite some time
because he knew the Anglers needed something stronger
Robbie, the Chatham and with more torque to haul equipment and materials
Anglers’ groundskeeper, around the field all day than the golf cart the team had
is forever embedded been using for years.
in the history of the
organization. Robbie does it all, from preparing the entire The problem was that a new Gator cost $9,000. To
playing field for each season to helping fix most every problem show his seriousness about acquiring the Gator Robbie
that arises at the ballpark. Anglers President Steve West said implemented his own funding solution, beginning to raise
every employee is replaceable, including himself. Except for money by trading in aluminum cans and plastic & glass
Robbie. He’s irreplaceable, and a beloved member of the bottles to redemption centers. He scooped up whatever
Chatham community. recycling he could gather, wherever he could find it,

10 2025 CHATHAM ANGLERS YEARBOOK