Al Lopez: 1908-2005

AP puts it this way: "Al Lopez, a Hall of Fame catcher and manager who led the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox to American League pennants in the 1950s, died Sunday at 97."

There is more – much, much more – to the story, but . . .

TBM submits that Bay area media will do a first-rate job re: the passing of this sports icon, whose roots run Earth-Mother deep into Tampa's sandy soil. Tune in, flip on and open up (pages) mañana to read the various obits and tributes. If a guava-stained tear could be drawn here, it would . . . Big Al will be missed. TBM is happy that he saw his White Sox win the Series before his departure.

Consider this quote, from The Man, himself:

"Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it."

And this:

"Go with the best you've got."

He did, and we are the better for it . . .