Sad Anniversary

Every August 2nd I think of Thurman Munson.
On this date in 1979, the Yankees captain died in a plane crash in Ohio on an off day.
Thurm was everything a ballplayer should be. I loved the way he played and hustled. He got his uniform dirty and got the job done. He was clutch and he was one of my favorites.
Had he not died prematurely, I think he would have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
When I think of the best American League catcher of the 70's, I think of Munson. Don't give me Carlton Fisk. Please.
Of course the best catcher of the 70's was Johnny Bench. No shame being second to Bench.
In 1976, in a hotel lobby in Baltimore, I got Thurman to sign a program I got at that night's game at Memorial Stadium. Still have the program. By the way, I saw a three game series that year in Baltimore and the O's swept the Yankees. Oh well.
I remember years later, probably 1987 or so, when as a member of the media I was in the Yankees clubhouse and saw Munson's preserved locker, enclosed by glass. I got choked up and had to get out of there for a few minutes.
Anyway, I still get sad when this day rolls around. What an awful day August 2nd, 1979 was.