4/05/2017

The Passing of a Childhood Hero

Baseball great Roy Sievers


I'm deeply saddened to learn that my friend, former Major League Baseball great Roy Sievers, died late Monday night at his home in St. Louis. He was 91 years old.

Roy gave me an unforgettable moment in 1959 when he invited me into the dugout of the Washington Senators during a preseason exhibition game in Charlotte, North Carolina. A few years ago, I wrote about that moment in Drye Goods.

Roy's niece, Terry Cole, saw that essay and showed it to Roy, and thus began a series of phone conversations during which I talked to Roy about his stellar career. I wrote about those conversations in 2015 in an essay for the National Pastime Museum.

Roy was an old-school baseball hero and a generous and thoughtful guy. Thanks for the memory, Roy. You'll always be one of my heroes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yes he was " old school". Always would sign autographs for free. A great ambassador for the game. A quiet and humble man who enjoyed life. He will be missed.