I read the news today, oh boy…

Last week my good pal Alex Belth called me to gab about baseball and the various projects we’ve been working on this winter. Facing multiple deadlines, I had to defer our catch-up call, and I didn’t get back to it until this morning. I called his work number, left a message, then thought to check his blog to see what Mr. B was up to.

Alas, what I found there was heartbreaking. Alex’s father, a man whom I briefly met last year, passed away over the weekend due to a heart attack. He was surrounded by family, Alex included, and went peacefully. Somehow, Alex managed to pen a beautiful tribute for his blog in the short time since then. Please, go read it, and spare a thought for Alex and his family.

I spoke to Alex briefly upon reading his piece, conveying my condolences. Typical Belth, he sounds remarkably upbeat and coherent under the circumstances; I was the one getting choked up during our conversation. Over the years that we’ve known each other, my chats with Alex about baseball have often centered around family and the way we became fans. One thing we hold in common is that both of us had special links to our fathers via Reggie Jackson and the game itself.

My relationship with my dad has always been a smooth one, and for that I’m incredibly, eternally grateful. Alex’s relationship with his father was a bit rockier, but they’d long since found their peace, discovering the rewards in their hard-won understanding. At a time like this, that’s as comforting a thought as there is. My deepest condolences to Alex, Emily and their family and friends.