It is never easy to say goodbye. We aren’t programmed on how to do it and normally fail miserably in trying to get the words out. That’s why I always turn to writing, the only way to properly say what is going on in my brain.
This last year was tough for all fans of the Cardinals, and I couldn’t even act like I was caring. I didn’t see any live games at any level for the first time since the military, and it hit me recently that St. Louis being bad had nothing to do with it. My Dad taught me about baseball, and this season was the first without him around to show ultimate faith in the Birds on the Bat.
Well, it wasn’t only my family by birth that helped grow the love of the Cards. I graduated high school in 1997 and went to college at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Never one to shy away from my team, an STL cap was never far from my reach. One of the first people I met at Ambrose was a fellow Cards fan named Russell Buckingham.
He was a year older and already knew the lay of the land so to speak. We ended up having more in common than just the love for a struggling baseball team and spent many nights talking about journalism. While on the print side, he was squarely into the broadcast business and already knew exactly what he wanted to do after graduating. I envied that about him, even though he always wanted to hear about whatever high school or college game I just got done covering.
Even after leaving home, I always checked where he landed in the business. Russ was determined to make it work in a super competitive business which shocked no one that knew him. His personality and drive were a perfect fit for the world of radio and wouldn’t you know it, San Antonio turned out to be the perfect fit. It was great being able to turn on the radio and hear him, just like back in the SAU days.
We traded messages while the Cards were winning multiple titles and even shared a home city for a little bit when work took me to Texas. Life always did keep us from catching up in person, but we always had St. Louis. Whether it was cursing someone for leaving (I bet he loved Albert’s homecoming though) or wondering how the team could blow another October run, I always looked forward to hearing from him.
It has been over two years now that Russ has been gone, another reminder of all that cancer takes from those we love. You never realize what you have at the time, but college would not have been the same without Buckinm and everyone I grew close to. Now we get together to honor the legacy of a great man and if you feel inclined, here is where you can help as well.
