Never let them see you cry

This years Alabama State High School basketball Final Four is a difficult and special time for folks in our area. 2A White Plains High School lost it's heart and soul last week when senior baseball / basketball / football player and team captain Bradey Munroe passed away from soft tissue sarcoma, a form of cancer.

It also brought back a lot of memories for me. Bradey played on a AA Little League baseball team I coached about ten or eleven years ago. I know it sounds cliche, but Bradey always gave 110% on each and every play. He also had a smile on his face while he gave 110% on each play.

I can recall at an early practice, just after he started playing for me, that I had asked the boys if anyone wanted to play catcher. Bradey raised his hand and volunteered. His dad told me last night the main reason that Bradey wanted to play catcher was so he could touch the ball on every play. Bradey played that position all of his career and was one of the best catchers in this area.

I also remember during one game early in his career, Bradey got hit or knocked down by another player and was squatting against the backstop. I knew he had been hurt, so I ran out to where he was to check on him. When I got there, he had these big ol' alligator tears running down his cheeks, but he seemed to be fine otherwise. I told him to be tough and wipe his face dry, stand up, and never let the other team see you cry. It's OK to cry in the dugout or in a private place, but not on the playing field.

Bradey carried this lesson with him until the end. He was the heart and soul of this team and even wrote each player a personalized letter of encouragement before the state district tournament began. Bradey left for M D Anderson Hospital in Houston Texas last weekend and told his parents if his team made it to the Final four in Birmingham, that he wanted to stop treatments and fly back to Birmingham so he could be with his team.

He lost his fight with cancer Wednesday, but if you ask any of his teammates, Bradey was here with them.

Never let them see you cry.




Parents and students wore Team Bradey t-shirts to the game.


Bradey's parents, Jeff and Dawn attended the game. Bradey's mother is holding a cousin of Bradey's.


Bradey's parents, Jeff and Dawn receive a runner-up medal from White Plains head coach Chris Randall.