Part of My History Left Yesterday

Recently retired but longtime Major League Baseball scout, Ken Bracey died yesterday at age 80. Bracey spent 42-years scouting for the San Diego 'Padres' and Los Angeles 'Dodgers.' I received the news from retired Springfield State Journal-Register sports' writer and good friend, Larry Harnly.

I first met Ken Bracey in 1964, my first year as basketball coach at Mason City high school, which was Bracey's hometown. It was early fall when our own dear hometown friends,  Dick and Fran Pawlow dropped Dick's Giants Minor League Class AA Springfield, Massachusetts teammate, Ken Bracey off in his beloved Mason City after their season completed. Why not stop by Mel and Gerry's to introduce Bracey to his old high school's new round ball coach? They did and that first encounter signaled one message> This is going to be a fun relationship! And oh, how it was!

That evening the two pro baseball players brought some beer and as we sat on the front porch visiting suddenly, Bracey began tossing empty beer cans in the new Coach's front yard laughing and suggesting the locals need to know their coach enjoys a beer. Of course, I quickly retrieved the cans for more discreet disposal.

Eventually, Pawlow and Bracey gave up the pro baseball pursuits and settled onto civilian life. Pawlow became baseball coach at St Joesph's College in Rensselaer, IN. and later spent thirty years as Western Illinois University's baseball mentor. Bracey struggled with finding a niche in factory work but soon caught a wonderful break when the San Diego Padres gave him that initial scouting job...a job that he was made to embrace; and embrace he did for 42-years. He loved his passion: Baseball.

Kenny married his hometown sweetheart and settled into life with his loving wife, Judy, two daughters and his scouting. Tragedy would strike the Bracey household when Judy was diagnosed and quickly succumb to cancer. Years passed but finally, Kenny was fortunate to meet a perfect match. Second wife, Nancy could go toe-to-to with Kenny's bantering humor. They were great fun with whom to spend an evening.

In baseball's off-season, Bracey refereed high school basketball games. At that time, I was coaching at Jacksonville high school and always hired Bracey and his partner, Bob Ware to work the Crimsons' Classic at Thanksgiving. Those times rendered great memories and some funny Bracey stories, many which I included in my book, 'Game Laughter.'

I shall miss Ken Bracey, terribly. I will miss his incredible story telling and just how tickled he became when delivering any story's punchline. Rest In Peace my good friend and thanks...oh my,

Thanks for the Memories.

(Touch)Baseball