with the passing of my father, Bill Merritt, of St. Louis at his home Sunday evening. He left this world surrounded by both his children, his wonderful second wife (who succeeded my late mother) and her two children.

My father had a brief baseball career as a catcher in Class "D" with the (then) Washington Senators. He passed along his love of baseball and the Cardinals to me, and some of my fondest memories of my father came at Sportsman's Park and Busch II, watching our Redbirds.

He also attempted to teach me how to play the game, but as I could neither hit, run, throw, hit for power, nor field, he settled for teaching me the game... which has brought me much joy through the years. (He was pleasantly amazed when I turned out to be a pretty good street-hockey goalie in my teens... it seems I had inherited my Dad's quick hands!)

His burial is scheduled for this Thursday in St. Louis, with any remembrances requested to be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Association.

So, while there's one less Cardinal fan on this Earth, there's one more Birdfan in Heaven!