REX KENNEDY ROSSER, Baseball Card Collector

The Collector sent a round of cards a few months ago. One in particular left me with many mixed emotions.  These were cards right off my want list. We all appreciate others who take time to go over our lists then thumb through their collections to helps us out. It takes time. Time is precious and all too often, fleeting.

94 Stadium Club - WAGING WAR on Steve Buechele

Chris included catchers, Tigers and Cobb for my PC:

All were welcomed additions. My favorites by far however, were the Oklahoma City 89ers he included. I'd just added  89ers to the list of wants. I'll always be an Okie; one quite proud of her home state and Native American heritage. This connection to my baseball collection is perfect.

These are the cards Chris sent. All are from the initial year of 89er cardboard.

1975 Oklahoma 89ers Team Issue

It's fun to look up old minor-leaguers to see what became of their lives but the card that most intrigued me was that of the young Rex Rosser, Baseball Card Collector. Eight months older than me, Rex had something I didn't - a baseball card collection.  Here's the backside:

Totally cool! This pre-teen had some apparent influence.  While he likely never made the majors, Rex must've done something baseball related, at least that's what I'd hoped to find. What I found though, was unexpected.  Just a short few years later, Rex was gone.

An empty seat at the dinner table, an empty bedroom. A grieving family who lost their young son in a car accident. A father who may have struggled with guilt for some time, for something likely out of his control.  Teammates losing one of their own. My heart ached instantly for the friends and family of a young man gone almost 40 years now. 

courtesy:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45062363/rex-kennedy-rosser

Find-A-Grave

Time does heal if we allow. Rex is surely remembered with love and a special fondness by all who knew him. His enthusiasm for life shines through on his only known baseball card. The next time I'm in OKC, a visit to Rose Hill will be in my plans. It's a big cemetery but I'm certain the search will be worthwhile. I'll have a seat there and tell him what his card means to me; how his 89ers are now Dodgers and thank him. At this moment, I have a greater appreciation for my own youth, and life in general. I have something he didn't...the past 40 years.