A tribute to Carolyn

Cheryl and I love to eat out and we definitely have our favorites like Jongewaard's Bake 'N Broil in Long Beach (which I have mentioned here several times).

Another place that we have frequented from time to time over the years is Gourmet Pie and Cafe. It's located in Los Alamitos on Katella Avenue. When I first found this little restaurant it was located in Cypress near the place where I used to live (before Cheryl). Cheryl and I have been going to this restaurant for more than fourteen years; in fact, we went there on our first date. I've been going there for about 18 years myself.

Sunday we learned that Carolyn Richards passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 42. The news was shocking. Carolyn and her husband Michael own Gourmet Pie and like all the posts on this blog, there is a baseball connection here.

Gourmet Pie is one of those places we go to now and then when the Angels are on the road. It's a nice place to get a meal and still catch a game on TV. Angel fans frequent the place all the time.

The news is incredibly sad. Carolyn leaves behind two sons and a family and community that will miss her greatly. We have a nice memory of Carolyn; she once gave Cheryl and me a menu to keep (from the original location) after she learned that we had our first date at her restaurant.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Richards family. It certainly puts all this baseball stuff in perspective, doesn't it?

Tribute to Charles

The freeway series between the Angels and the Dodgers is always much anticipated and comes with huge expectations; however the meaning of those games is entirely different for Cheryl and me.

You see in 2007 while the Angels were sweeping the Dodgers at Angels Stadium I lost my father to lung cancer. This past weekend as the Angels were sweeping the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, my wife Cheryl lost her dad (Charles) to cancer.

What a strange coincidence. Not only did we lose both men the during freeway series; we lost them while our Angels swept. We don’t know what to make of that, if anything – but the oddness of it all sticks with us some how.

At a time when we should be feeling joy and elation, we feel numb and immense sorrow. Every time these two teams meet – we will always associate the games with tremendous sadness and loss. We suppose that both men must be smiling at the results of those games and on some level those games are somewhat of a welcomed diversion from life, but it’s still just strange.

Baseball isn’t life and death and yet we can’t help but associate one with the other.

What can I say? Charles has only been gone a few days, but we miss him more than words can say. What can you say about a man who meant everything to his family? He was a great provider, a handy-man, extremely smart, organized, and had a quiet strength about him. He loved puzzles, boysenberry pie and most of all his family.

Charles’ story is one for the ages. He and his wife Mil have been married for 64 years (one month shy of 65 years). That, in and of itself is amazing. Charles was no ordinary man, he was truly exceptional. These days people throw superlatives around all too easily – especially in baseball and sports in general. One game and some players become over night legends, but all of them pale in comparison to a man like Charles.

If Charles was a baseball player, he’d possess the qualities of all the greats in the game. He was as dependable as someone like Cal Ripken because he was there every day to do whatever needed to be done for his family. He never took a day off from being a dad and a husband.

In many ways Charles was like Willie Mays in that he could do it all. You name it, Charles could do it.

I will miss many things about Charles. I will miss the way he could say something just with a look. He was a man of few words, but his eyes and his smile spoke volumes all the time. He didn’t want for anything and never wanted to be the center of attention. Charles was all about giving. He gave his time, his knowledge and his love. He devoted himself to his family every single day. If there was a Hall of Fame for fathers and dads – Charles would be a first ballot Hall of Famer for sure. He is probably the greatest man you’ve never head of; not because he did extraordinary things, but because he did the things he was supposed to do; the things everyone is supposed to do.

He was honest, selfless, humble, and devoted. He was the ultimate role model and it’s a shame more people didn’t know him. Perhaps more people will know about him now by simply reading this blog. I know one thing for sure, I'm thankful to have known Charles and to be a part of his family.

God bless you Charles. All who knew you will miss you.

Remembering Bruce

When I started this blog I knew at some point in time, I would be writing about the passing of a fellow Angels fan. I wasn’t quite sure when to do it, but as the regular season comes to a close, this feels like the appropriate time.

In a season full of both joy and sorrow, the 514 Fanatics lost one of their own. On August 19, 2009 our friend Bruce Manning passed away from a sudden and unexpected heart attack at the age of 55.

I only had the pleasure (and it was truly a pleasure) of knowing Bruce for a couple years. I am sorry I didn’t know him longer. Bruce always greeted Cheryl and me with a smile. He always had a great story or funny joke to share and made everyone around him feel comfortable. You couldn’t help but be in a good mood when Bruce was around.

I enjoyed every moment I ever spent with him. It was obvious Bruce was a devoted father to his four daughters and a loving husband to his wife, Roberta. He was a dedicated volunteer to the Hillel Foundation of Irvine, an avid poker player and he loved baseball. He looked good in red too. A converted Yankee fan, Bruce clearly enjoyed his time at the ball park. He often brought friends and/or family to the game.

Sometimes it’s the little things you remember about people. Bruce grew his own grapes and he often brought them to the game to share. They were delicious too. I remember Cheryl and I looking at each other with that “oh my goodness these are awesome” look on our faces the first time we had some.

I can’t help but think about the care he must have given those grapes to make them grow into delicious little pieces of heaven. I also can’t help but think about the relationships Bruce must have also grown over the years. I’m sure all who knew him were better for the experience.

We’ll miss you Bruce and as the Angels march forward with their #34 patches on their uniforms, the good fans in 514 will also march forward with your memory in our hearts.