I have said most of this to him personally in the past, but I will say it on here. He gave my son a chance to live out his dream when very few would. He followed him all over the Midwest building a lifetime relationship. Hopefully Coach would say it was worth it. They both have a national championship ring.
Then he gave him the chance to begin his second dream. As a parent, how people treat my kids is one of the most important things to me about them. You cannot imagine the conversations they have had about life and the freedom he has given Kirby to be himself.
I reminded Kirby last night after he spoke at FCA at Providence Academy in Johnson City of one of the greatest statements Coach V ever said to him
When Kirby was talking to him about coming back for his fifth year, Coach told him “you are here for a lot more than baseball. God has placed you here to change peoples lives. And that is always more important than baseball.”
He always have a special place in our family. He had a special relationship with each one of us. Almost every weekend, he went out of his way to talk to my wife and I. Kirby was obvious. My middle son Kevin was his protector of his family. On a couple of different occasions. Especially Southern Mississippi but there were two other times that he gave him tickets right next to his family including CWS. We sat with his family and friends. And he always acknowledged him when he hollered 22 that’s our man or especially when he hollered Coach V I’m getting married.
And he almost always found my oldest son‘s two daughters and gave them something.
For us, it will be more than just Coach V, I spent hours talking to his dad about all kinds of things in life And his mom always gave us a hug and kissed Kirby on the cheek
And you can guarantee we will hit him up for some Giants tickets.
Thank you Vitellos
Sorry so long
