A rattle he clutched as an infant and the ball from the Regional Championship game won by the EP Mustangs (awarded posthumously) make great bookends to Matt’s baseball story.
Yes, Matt’s connection to baseball started early. When only weeks old, he was taken to a White Sox game. At two months old he was wearing his first baseball uniform .
I remember when he was about 1 year old a friend of ours commenting that this toddler has a throwing arm like a pitcher. And guess what this little pitcher’s first word was? “Ball!”
Once playing outside, of course, he loved throwing rocks. Unfortunately a dead bunny in our garden was proof of how good an arm he had. Actually, he felt bad. I don’t think he knew his potential.
At age 5 he started T-ball on the Sharks.
He finished out his “career” when he was 18 on the Evergreen Park Community High School Mustangs.
And every year between Matt was on a team playing baseball and loving it.
Catcher, pitcher, first, third, wherever they put Matt, he excelled. Batting, he was always going for over the fence, which frustrated his coaches, but paid off with a reputation as a home run hitter.
Not only was he a naturally great player, he had the privilege of being under some super coaches that brought him and their teams to some big wins.
In 2013, in games played in Spring Valley, near Starved Rock State Park, his EPAA team came in second in the Little League State Championship.
Then in 2015, with a home advantage, his EPAA team took first place in the State Championship for the senior league.
In 2016, Matt’s senior year, the EP Mustang’s became the regional champions.
We’re so proud of Matthew’s baseball legacy of trophies and awards. And though drugs stole so much from him and us in his last couple years and ultimately taking his life, these great memories can never be taken away from us.
