I made a phone call on Thursday afternoon — one that I dreaded as its main focus was to inform a friend of the tragic news regarding Ron Bramlage, his wife, Becky, and their four children all perishing in Florida after their single-turboprop, fixed-wing plane crashed.
It took less than five seconds after I told her for the voice on the other end of the line began to crack. That’s the impact the Bramlages had on people — inside the Kansas State community and beyond. You can read more about their lives here. You can honor them by treating others with the same kind, outgoing, service-oriented spirit that Fred Bramlage’s grandson and his family did.
- It has been an extremely trying stretch for the K-State community as the Bramlage tragedy comes on the immediate heels of KSU rowing signee Brenna Morgart‘s death last Friday as a result of a terrible hit-and-run car accident in Topeka. She, too, had a far-reaching and deep impact on her community.
- Things will get better, K-State. Hang in there.
- Elsewhere on Thursday, the Kansas City Royals announced they have already signed first-round draft pick Kyle Zimmer.
- It’s an extremely nice change of pace after fans and the team had to sweat out last-second signings with Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Bubba Starling.
- Not to mention getting Zimmer in the organization in June as opposed to two months from now pushes up his Big Leagues timetable considerably if things go well.
- When and if the time comes he makes it to Kansas City, one wonders if Luke Hochevar will 1) still be considered a young guy and 2) still be looking for a way to turn the corner.
- Lee Judge says the Royals “need Luke to get better.”
- Um, yep, but I’m not holding my breath. I mean, I didn’t start making Kyle Davies/Luke Hochevar comparisons for no good reason. Ah, which reminds me…
- Davies’ career line: 43-65 in 144 starts; 5.59 ERA; 768 IP; 876 H; 477 ER; 367 BB; 545 SO; ERA+ 77; WHIP 1.618.
- “Little Hiram” Hochevar: 33-49 in 107 starts; 5.41 ERA; 642.2 IP; 690 H; 386 ER; 217 BB; 433 SO; ERA+ 79; WHIP 1.411.
- Yes, getting better would be awesome.
- Interested to see what Eric Hosmer looks like in right field starting tonight in Pittsburgh.
- Even more curious about what Jeff Francoeur roaming center will bring.
- Thinking about all of these moves, and you wonder if moving so many pieces around is really worth all the hassle just to get Billy Butler’s bat in the lineup.
- Uh, have you seen this team’s overall lack of offense the past week? Of course it is.
- Meanwhile, in the Omaha Stormchasers Hall of Justice… Wil Myers blasted a grand slam off of Roy Oswalt on Thursday, giving him 21 dingers so far this season between AA Northwest Arkansas (13) and AAA Omaha (8).
- It’s June 8.
- June 8 means we’re only 10 days from knowing whether Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki will all be cleared for full Kansas City Chiefs training camp next month in St. Joseph.
- Do we get to count those three as “key additions” for the Chiefs?
- Re-adding those three, along with Eric Winston and some of the other free agent signings, it’s hard to believe many other NFL teams have had more productive offseasons.
- And, there I go being all optimistic and stuff…
- I’ll never learn.
Even as a Nebraska Big Red grad and fan… my heart aches for the Bramlage family and all at K-State who were touched by their heart for service to others.
Their mark and legacy at Kansas State will echo into eternity. The world needs more like them.
God has them in His hands now. All is well.
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