The last out...

Hart Brachen:
My dad passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer.

It had been botton of the 9th for my dad for quite some time but he kept finding a way to rally and keep the inning going.

But as we Red Sox fans know all so well, in the end, you just can't win 'em all.

Like the majority of you, my memories and feelings of the Red Sox and baseball and sport in general are inseparable from memories of my father.

And it is in my nature to want to fill this space with an emotional tribute recounting the best of those memories.

But my dad was a very taciturn, keep your emotions in check, old school kind of guy.

So in his honor and memory, I'll simply tip my cap and let a solemn stillness fill the void.

I'll catch up with all you a bit later, probably next week.

 

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Comments

[da kine]

Jesus, hb. Sorry for your loss.

[buckner was framed]

my condolences, hb. and a tip o' the cap from here as well

[Steve in MD]

Sorry for your loss, hb.

[yazbread]

Our thoughts are with you today.

[yazbread]

Our thoughts are with you today.

[louclinton]

sounds like a tough out.

best to your family.

lc

[SAC]

Raising a 'Gansett to your dad, HB.

[MWL in MD]

So sorry to hear of your loss. If it's anything like my relationship with my late mother, you'll think of him whenever there's a Sox triumph or disaster.

[joe lahoud]

Very sorry for your loss hb. Like a lot of Red Sox fans I too am a Sox fanatic because of my Dad. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

[Natalie]

I can truly empathasize, hb. My deepest condolences to you and your entire family- and a tip o the cap to the great man.

[le_valet_de_pique]

My condolences

[le_valet_de_pique]

My condolences.

[jar in chicago]

Sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.

[Redsauce]

Condolences.

[Redsauce]

Condolences.

[Kev]

So sorry, h.b.

[Beth]

Sorry to hear about your dad, hb. Thinking happier thoughts for you and yours today.

[Garnfellow]

So sorry for your loss, h.b.

[COD]

My condolences H.B.

[Harwich Rich]

:*(

[Billy Mahty]

My condolences as well, h.b. Take care.

[Kaz]

"Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out."

I'm sorry for your loss, h.b. I will keep trying to find new cures for cancer.

[ponch]

So sorry. May the happy memories you shared together carry you through the difficult times.

[vermonter]

So sorry hb. My best.

[Chops]

It's only after an invincible autumn that we do not have to look to next year. The season may end, but it is never erased.

[lobstaman]

h.b. my deepest condolences

[Jaxtraw]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. My wife (Sox fan) and I (Yankee fan)send our deepest condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

[LarryE]

My condolences, h.b. So very sorry to hear about your loss.

[Seamus]

My condolences, hb. What can one say?

[Jazz Lunatique]

Very sorry about that, HB. Be strong.

[John]

Bless you and your Dad. Thoughts and prayers go with you...

[soxoshanka]

My deepest condolences hb.

[Larry Here]

Aw jeez, hb. One foot in front of the other. With love from Montana...

[sonomasox]

All the best to you and your family, HB. My thoughts are with you.

[dhr]

Condolences, hb

[Jim]

Sorry for your loss hb, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

[steff66]

Deepest condolences to you and your family, hb.

[NYSoxfan]

Deepest condolences, H.B. Your pops will be joining my late Uncle Albert and all the beloved departed Sox fans on the other side...

[soxdownunder]

Sorry to hear this awful news, hb, but I hope you can cling to the memories of one of the most important relationships of you life.

Condolences from me, mrs sdu and the seven year old 'sox fan.

[SSA]

The one thing my stepfather (my Dad de facto) really got along on was baseball. Red Sox baseball.

My condolences.

[Jeff in NC]

"All I want is a little peace to die, and a friend or two I love at hand"

Deepest condolences.

[soxinsix]

Sorry for your loss, hb. I lost my dad to brain cancer back in 1998. When the Sox won it all in 2004 my first thoughts were of him, and how he waited his whole life for that moment but it never came. Remember the good times with your dad - they will help you get through these difficult days...

[Yossarian]

Been down that road as well. Condolences to you and yours.

[sanfransoxfan]

Toughest out.

He raised you, so his is a life worth celebrating. Hold on to that this week, and onwards.

[granular_serene]

condolences h.b. i'm glad you could share 2 w.s. titles, and of course all the other things that make dads great.

[Professional Hitter]

Condolences, h.b. Please know that you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.

[Ryan with a capital "R"]

My condolences.

[HunterStars]

Sorry for the loss, H.B. My condolences.

[Primitive Screwhead]

hb, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

[went9]

I write with tears rolling down my check as I think of your Dad and mine. My first line drive on my next trip to the batting cage will be in his honor. All the best to you and your family hb.