In Memoriam: Decanie "Duke" Sanders

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we inform our fans that longtime Carolina Mudcats employee Decanie "Duke" Sanders passed away Thursday, March 15. The exceedingly exuberant Sanders was a fixture of Mudcats baseball. He had an immeasurable impact on the club and will be missed by all for years to come. He is survived by his loving wife Linda.

Sanders, 62, became the first ever public address voice of the Mudcats in 1991 after joining the club during its inaugural season. He went on to work for the Mudcats for 20 of the club's first 27 seasons, before retiring due to illness in 2017. The Columbia, S.C. native held several different roles within the Mudcats' front office over the years. He began as the club's public address announcer and later became Director of Sales, Director of Promotions and on-field emcee. 
Tweet from @CarolinaMudcats: Duke left an impact on the Carolina Mudcats organization like none other, and helped provide family fun entertainment to hundreds of thousands of fans over the years. pic.twitter.com/4MWoniXDL6
The "Dukester" excelled like no other as the on-field voice of Mudcats baseball. The role allowed him to display his infectious enthusiasm for the game, for the team and for the show at Five County Stadium. A gifted singer and musician, Sanders studied Music Education at The University of South Carolina as a member of the "Mighty Sound of the Southeast" marching band, and continued to share his talents with church communities throughout the region. Mudcats' fans will certainly long remember his style in leading the "Seventh Inning Stretch."