This year, we have so much more offense. Last year, we made the playoffs, but got Branson in the first round. This year, except for Branson, there are 10 teams going to the playoffs with about the same skill level.

He was so much better of an athlete than people thought. Back then, he wasn't heavy at all. He was solid as a rock. He was faster than anything. He would hit the ball back to the pitcher on two hops and beat it out at first base. He was incredibly fast. We used to play basketball in the mornings at the YMCA. Kirby was a great basketball player. People think Kirby was overweight when he played, but he was rock-solid.

That's something he would always say.

He came to play every day. He was like Larry Bird in basketball. He was one of the first guys at practice and always put his work in. His whole attitude was contagious. You wanted to come to the ballpark and be around him. You knew you had a chance to win because he was on your team.

I found out (Sunday) and I was shocked. Then, I heard today that he was in critical condition after the surgery. That didn't sound good. It's terrible. He's 45 years old. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met in or out of baseball.

People say it's Calistoga's best team since 1992.