During batting practice Thursday at Tropicana Field, Matt Stairs called me over with a question.
"Who’s the guy that played goal all those years in Washington?"
I scrunched my eyebrows. "Olaf Kolzig?"
"That’s it," said Stairs. "He’s coming to the game tonight. I left Mark Recchi tickets."
Now it’s my turn to ask the questions.
"Who does he play for now?"
"Tampa Bay… I think" said Stairs.
Neither of us was sure.
Hours later, Stairs learned he was changing uniforms too. The destination appears to be Philadelphia.
Stairs was a lovable sort, always quick with a smile. He’ll be missed around the Jays’ clubhouse. But his place will be taken by a special player.
Some of Travis Snider’s tape-measure home runs in high school were so memorable they were given titles, like the "Broadway Shot" that traveled 500 feet (on to Broadway Avenue) outside Everett Stadium.
According to local legend, he once hit a home run that hit a house 600 feet away. Snider was humble about the allegation.
"Aluminum bat" he said.
Snider may one day be an All-Star player, but he’s already achieved that status as a human being. About four years ago, his mother fell ill, lapsed into a coma, and struggled through months of rehabilitation. Travis was quick to agree to a signing bonus after he was drafted by the Jays so he could make things easier for mom. But Patty Snider never lived to see her son in the major leagues. She died in an auto accident a year ago this September 9.
In Dunedin this March, he confided in me that his mother’s illness jolted him into understanding the fragility of life, so in the years before her passing, Travis constantly reminded Patty that he loved her.
A good man has left the Blue Jays, but a great kid replaces him. And here’s a tip of the cap to J.P. Ricciardi for promoting him in time to play in old Yankee Stadium.
Welcome to the big leagues Travis Snider.
Your mom would be proud.