Kaat establishes fund in memory of wife
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 06, 2008 
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This press release from YES:
ZEELAND, Mich. — MaryAnn Kaat might not be a familiar name to the lineup of little league baseball players who step to the plate in this Midwest town. But when they look back upon those warm summer nights under the lights, they just might appreciate her contribution to the game.
MaryAnn, wife of pitcher Jim Kaat, lost her spirited battle with cancer on July 21, 2008. In her final days, Jim made her a promise that he would establish a fund in her name for continued enhancement of the Jim Kaat Ballpark in his hometown of Zeeland, Mich.
“MaryAnn lit up my life,†said Jim, who spent 25 years as a Major League Baseball pitcher, including 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and many more years in broadcasting. “I can only hope that this effort will help shine a light on little league players for years to come.â€
MaryAnn served as her husband’s agent and manager since 1995, and also helped dedicate the Jim Kaat Ballpark in 2006. The ballpark commemorates Kaat’s legacy in America’s pastime and is now the center for vibrant little league and community programs.
Following MaryAnn’s death, Jim contacted local civic leaders with his idea for the MaryAnn Kaat Memorial Fund as a way to further the couple’s involvement with his hometown and to enhance the ballpark for generations to come. Funds will be used for improvements, such as lighting, under the direction of the Zeeland Recreation Little League Advisory Board.
“I hope this fund will help promote youth baseball,†said Jim. “There’s no better way to remember MaryAnn than through the game that has given us so much.â€
The MaryAnn Kaat Memorial Fund is managed by the non-profit Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area. Donations can be made by visiting www.cfhz.org. You may also mail your check to Community Foundation H/Z, 70 W. Eighth Street, Suite 100, Holland, MI 49423. Please specify MaryAnn Kaat Memorial Fund.
Right on Jim Kaat, met him once, as nice a man as you can ever meet
My thoughts with you
I’ve only been following baseball since a few years, so I only know Jim Kaat as a YES broadcaster. And what a good one he was – my favorite. I was sad to see him go and even sadder to hear of his wife’s passing.
My thoughts are with him and his family, good luck Jim!
My dad once saw Jim Kaat at a sub shop, decades ago. Said his hands wrapped around the whole thing.
Rest In Peace MaryAnn Kaat – God Rest Your Soul.
Come back to the booth my friend.
I’d like Kaat to come back to the booth as well. What he’s doing is great and it was a very unfortunate loss for him and his family.
Oh yeah, anyone notice Karstens is brilliant again today? No-hitter through four.
“Karstens is brilliant again today? No-hitter through four.”
Yanks got ripped of in the Pittsburgh deal.
From a previous thread….. S.O.S. both those posts were me, not sure why one is bold.
I can’t see how putting Joba on the 15 day DL is a good thing. They aren’t going to just throw him on the 60 day DL right away.
What a terrible loss for the Kaat family, but what a remarkable thing he is doing.
The lineup
Damon cf
Jeter ss
Abreu rf
A.Rodriguez dh
Giambi 1b
Nady rf
Cano 2b
I.Rodriguez c
Betemit 3b
Ponson p
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf
Hmmm… Damon in CF… no Melky for a 3rd straight night?
I miss Jim and his many stories during the games about all the great players he knew over the years.
Sorry to hear about his wife, I wish him the very best, a very classy gentleman.
I guess this season just was not meant to be. The injuries to key players seem to have piled up so much that we just can’t overcome it. Any team that loses Wang and Joba is gonna have major problems making the playoffs. Hopefully we can have IPK come up soon in Joba’s spot and give us some solid games and hold things together until Hughes is ready. Up until the Joba injury, it looked like we could hang in there and sneak into the playoffs. Unless Hughes and IPK can save our season, we just have to hope Joba doesn’t need surgery and can be vintage 98 MPH fastball Joba come spring training and start from the beginning with a healthy Wang, Joba, Hughes and Kennedy.
“Damon in CF”
Let’s hope Ponson gets a lot of grounders.
Karstens got a single in his first at bat too!
He’s is the Natural and we traded him away! AHh!
I guess Kaat’s wife’s sickness was a big reason why he retired from the booth to travel the country in his motor home. It was great seeing him make a surprise visit to the booth not too long ago. I learned a lot about baseball from his stories and from him grabbing the ball on camera and showing us a little thing or two about pitching. I see Al and David are starting to do this as well. I’ll pray for Mr. Kaat and his family with the passing of his wife. And forgive me for being selfish during this time, but I DO wish he’d reconsider coming out of retirement and stepping back in the booth to call some more Yankees games. He lost a dear friend in Murcer and now his best friend, his wife.
QUick kudos to Joe Maddon down in Tampa. He doesn’t screw around. Benches Upton for dogging it on a play in the heat of a pennant race. Scoscia is the league’s best manager, but his former right hand is the AL Manager of the Year.
Kartens has a no hitter goin through 7
Kartens has a no hitter goin through 7 against the D_backs
i met jim at a hotel in chicago about 7 years ago and i awkwardly introduced myself and he was the nicest most generous guy in the world. my then 5-year old was there and jim was asking him questions about who his favorite player was, etc. nicest guy ever and very sorry for his lost.
I see I am among many who absolutely love Jim Kaat. One of the greatest announcers of all time, I just love the guy and would love to meet him and tell him thanks.
i hadn’t heard about kaats wife until now. i feel very bad for him, as he was just beginning his retired life with her. kaat was a baseball gentleman, and my favorite yankee comentator. i was crushed when his final game got rained out last year.
got the impression it’s cool