Coach Brian Forrister shares a Special E-mail
Coach Larry,
I was extremely saddened to learn that Mr. Hernandez had gone to be with our Lord and Savior. I check the Bandit website almost daily and I just learned of his passing late last night and I immediately called my parents and Aaron to inform them. Our prayers are with you, Champ and the rest of the family. I know that we live hundreds of miles away, but you all are always in our thoughts. My son is at the age where he has a ton of questions about my playing days, coaching days, Uncle Aaron’s playing days, etc. I can’t tell you how many times I have shared stories with him about you, Champ, Beaner and your dad. After one of his games last week, we were joking about a mom that was in the dugout and how we thought that there was no place for a female in or near a dugout. I told Andrew that I only knew one female that I would allow to touch a scorebook and sit in my dugout and that person was Beaner. I remember when I heard you speak on the day you were inducted into the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame, you talked about the greatest game of catch that you ever had was with your father and with Champ. Those words penetrated my heart and though at the time I did not have a son it had an impact on me. Now that I do have a son, I know EXACTLY what you meant. I never pass up an opportunity to play catch with my son Andrew. Oh what a celebration it must have been on Saturday as our Heavenly Father welcomed Mr. Hernandez home and he was able to hug his daughter, in perfect health, for the first time in a long time. I am sad, but grateful, that he is gone. It was truly an honor to know your dad.
Coach Brian
