Beasley's Commentary: Dallas Green Addresses Media After Loss Of 'Princess'

By: Beasley Reece

CLEARWATER, Florida (CBS) - The nation met Dallas Green's granddaughter too late. Christina Taylor Green was murdered in the Arizona massacre. Six people died at the hands of a madman who will be forever nameless under this reporter's pen.

Dallas addressed the media at spring training Wednesday for the first time since losing the girl he called Tina, Princess, and second baseman. Christina was the only girl on her Little League team.

The press conference was difficult for me to watch. I too am a grandfather.

Dallas is as big as his name. A towering giant of a man. Tough guy former manager of the team he now serves as Sr. Advisor. But that was not the man we crowded around Wednesday. This man was shaken and stooped. His lips quivered as he remembered Christina. He wanted to weep but couldn't, so I cried for him behind dark glasses.

Dallas thanked those of us who reached out to him during his nightmare. He says he is "long in the tooth" and doesn't have enough time to recover from this. He promises to "love on" his other grandkids and pour his energy into baseball as escape routes.

There is a finite number of good days promised to all of us. We have a precious number of days of good health for ourselves and our loved ones. We will all face dark Angels and Demons at some point. Whether this day is listed among the good or the bad, tell the people in your life how much you care. Grab a hug when it's available. Don't miss a single opportunity to let your friends know that you will never take them for granted.

That thing you plan to do one day, do it.

In many, many ways Dallas lived the dream. Ball Player, Manager, Sports Executive, a lot of guys would trade in their hand for that one.

Now this larger than life figure needs our prayers for healing.

BR

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