Almost Time to Say Goodbye.
In Memoriam …
The world lost some great people in 2013 and we only know the most famous ones and, of course, the ones close and dear to our personal lives. Nelson Mandela is undoubtedly our most famous loss in 2013, but he is joined at Heaven’s Gate, or wherever else it is that good souls go from here after living their lives as unspoken gifts to the world of their cherished others. To all the millions of little anonymous people who passed with Mr. Mandela from Earth in 2013 from quieter, smaller. less famous service to others everywhere, we say thank you. About all of them, we say, may their deeds be always remembered and acknowledged, wherever possible. Placing something larger than our personal acquisitive goals in play as our service to a greater peaceful cause that does no harm to the innocent is the highest calling that awaits all of us – if we listen for it – and if we are willing to hear it.
In behalf of those of us who love the game of baseball, 2013 also was a year in which we said goodbye to 48 former MLB position players, 40 former pitchers, and 2 former managers. They were not all saints, but one came close. His name was Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. A less famous guy like Harry Elliott is recalled by some of us as a former member of the Houston Buffs prior to the city’s 1962 jump to the big leagues. Both of the two deceased managers listed here also had a connection to Houston. Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver played for the Houston Buffs early in his all minor league playing career – and Grady Hatton managed the Houston Astros late in the first decade of their big league existence. Cot Deal, a former Astros pitching coach, also left this world in 2013 – as did three former pitchers of the St. Louis Browns, Lou Sleater, Virgil Trucks, and Bob Turley, plus former Browns catcher, Babe Martin.
Andy Pafko at the Polo Grounds. 10/03/51, waiting on the ball that is not coming down in the field of play.
And how can I not mention outfielder Andy Pafko. As a kid, I just loved the all-out way Andy Pafko played the game. He was in left field at the Polo Grounds in 1951 when Bobby Thomson hit his famous “Shot Heard Round the World.” You could tell from Pafko’s body language in the old newsreel films that he was both stunned and hurt by his closest view of the Dodger-fatal home run leaving the field of play. Poor Andy. Now we have to go through missing you all over again. God bless you.
The list still does not include the name of Paul Blair, who passed away on 12/26/13. He was also a favorite of mine.
Please check the list from Baseball Reference.Com for the names of those who left us this year.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2013-deaths.shtml
Rest in Peace, 2013 baseball souls, and thanks for each of your contributions to our national pastime.
Tags: 2013 baseball deaths
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