Good morning again! Sticking to the baseball theme and with reference to my first post today, CONGRATS to Jim Leyland on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame! But there are also many very accomplished, knowledgeable, and talented baseball people that do not get the recognition they deserve! One such person is my friend Frank Cacciatore- Frank grew up in Tampa, Florida and was a star baseball player in high school and college (Honorable Mention All-American at Seminole JC; All-American at Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL) in 1975, where he hit .351, was team MVP, led the Moccasins to a national championship, and was named MVP of the national tournament)! I met Frank when he joined the Lakeland Tigers in 1975 after his college career was over- we immediately hit it off and became buds! After the 1975 season was over, I stayed in Lakeland that entire offseason and worked out with Frank and my other buddy, Gary Christenson (World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals in 1980). It was during that time that I first learned of Frank’s knowledge of hitting a baseball. After batting practice with Frank for 5 months, I was excited for spring training to begin in 1976! Unfortunately, Frank’s expertise did not rub off on me- it was my first bad spring training performance and I was released! However, I was witness to the best spring training by a hitter in my five years in the Tiger organization- yep, you guessed it, Frank Cacciatore! It seemed like Frank hit a line drive every time up, and he left camp as a member of the 1976 Montgomery Rebels of the AA Southern League! Now, that ’76 Montgomery team was loaded with 16 future big leaguers, including Lance Parrish, Alan Trammell, Steve Kemp, and Jack Morris. Btw, FLINT CENTRAL and UM STAR MARK CRANE was also a member of that squad! So, Frank got lost in the shuffle and was released after only a few games, never really getting the chance to show what he could do in a full season of being in the lineup every night! Frank went on to a long career as a college coach (9 years) and 31 years in professional baseball, both as a manager and as a hitting instructor! Along the way, Frank coached up many future major leaguers, including Luis Gonzalez, Kenny Lofton, and Dante Bichette! But again, for whatever reason, Frank never got the chance to be a coach or manager in the big leagues! Maybe it’s because he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, who knows! It doesn’t take anything away from his many great accomplishments in baseball. And he is a great husband, father, and grandfather, which is even more important! Thanks Frank- I’m just glad we crossed paths along the way- my life certainly is better because of it! I just wish you coulda taught me how to hit a little better- it would have been your crowning achievement!!