Baseball Pastimes and Local Tragedy

I finally made it down to the Cardinals Game this past weekend to watch Kyle
Lohse pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers. Yeah, it was Saturday, and I was at Kilroy’s right before the storm him and .  I really didn’t
even know it happened until I got home. I was wondering why I had received so many text messages and phone calls wondering if I was OK. My friends and I
didn’t encounter any rain on our way back home. Scary. It really is. My heart and prayers go out to those involved in the tragedy. I can empathize with the loss of life. I’m truly sorry.

Baseball has been bringing people together for decades. It’s what so many people love, especially in our town. When we go to the game, we’re doing what we love.  We have a responsibility while at games, and we take that responsibility with full
dedication. Alfred Goodman was the only person who lost his or her life on Saturday at the bar south of Busch Stadium. He was doing what he loved with his family.

When I lost my mom almost a year ago to a different freak accident, at the time she was doing what she loved as well. To help counsel me in a time of need, a close college friend told me that the Cardinals always win in heaven. They will as well for Mr. Goodman!

After a strong win pushing Lohse to a 4-0 record on the young season, I was enchanted by the eleventh World Series flag, popular highlights of the 2011 post season—and reminiscing with my buddies what we were doing and how we celebrated each one of those plays. When David Freese circled third base in Game 6 after his game winning blast to center field, my one friend tackled me into
the wall of his basement!

A sign at Wrigley Field said that 2011 was in the past during the Cardinals trip to the Windy City. Memories are never forgotten, and they should never be forgotten. One family has learned that this past weekend. Yes we look to the future to heal and move on—and we never forget. What we do in the present is to build upon the past. Forgetting how you got to a position or status means you’re not appreciative of what you’ve been able to accomplish.

Continue to do what you love. There are 25 guys in our town modeling that
every day, and this past week was a great example of that passion and tradition
to be continued.