NEWS STORIES/ESSAYS

Mentor, Coach, and Friend
by Alex Grover, 4/23/02

Steve O'Grady was born in 1969 and died in 1999. In his short life, he made a big difference in the lives of many children. Steve was the coach of the Salem Little League Reds for as longs as I can remember. I played for the Reds for 3 years (97-99). Those were the best three years of my
childhood. When I first met Steve, he was in his late 20's. He started coaching Little league when he was 19 years old with a lower level team. He then worked his way up the system reaching the Majors and coaching the Reds.

When I was ten years old I knew that I would be drafted into the Majors. I wanted to be on the Reds because I liked their uniforms, not knowing the coach and how good he was. I was in fact drafted by the Reds and had Steve as a coach. Before the season started that year the team went to the batting
cages to practice. My friend Will and I rode with the coach there. We weren't scheduled to go to the batting cages until later, so Steve said "Hey guys, want to go get some ice cream?" Will and I looked at each other surprised, not knowing what to say. We knew then the next three years would
be a fun experience, and they were.

Steve achieved a lot as Little League coach. From 1994-1999, the Reds 5 city championships, 4 in a row from 96-99. His teams weren't always the best or most talented, but he elicited a tenacity needed to win. When we lost a game he would make us think about what we did wrong and make us want to
fix our mistakes. When the playoffs came he made us determined to play perfectly, and we did.

Steve was not only important to Little League baseball, but he also ran the Salem Boys and Girls Club. He helped kids there acting a guide and mentor to kids that needed help. Everybody liked him and he had a great personality. Funny and smart, and always had a good attitude. One thing I will always remember about him was his smile. He had a great smile and always had it on his face.

Steve not only was the coach of the Reds, he was a friend and a mentor to his players. He wasn't like many other coaches. At the end of each season he took the team up to his place in North Conway. It was referred to as the "Reds Trip". It was a lot of fun for me and all of my teammates. We went
to to water parks, amusement parks, lakes and beaches, watched scary movies, and told funny stories. Steve made up great stories, sometimes as a young kid I believed them. It was a way Steve could interact with the players, and just have fun. I liked that a lot about him. All of his players became
closer to him, and in some cases saved them from trouble and changed their lives.

Over the 3 years I knew Steve O'Grady he changed my life. Not only did he teach me about baseball, but he became a good friend. He showed me how to be determined and never give up. He hated when we were down on ourselves for any reason, especially losing. Most of all Steve taught me to have fun. All the things he taught me on the field carried over into my life. He was a big part of my life for three years. He inspired me to succeed. I will always venerate Steve O'Grady. I keep him in my heart and in my mind as a coach, a mentor, but most importantly as one of the best friends I will ever have.