Well, we got a shock at the ball game today, and please, no jokes about the Pirates or their record...

The gentleman who was the usher for our section for most of the last 10 years was killed late Friday night.

Mike was only a few years older than I am. He's been an usher at PNC Park or at 3 Rivers Stadium for 20 years.

Like many of the ushers and stadium worker grunts, he parked about a mile or so away & hoofed it. (Which had to be tough on him, as he had knee replacement surgery last year). From the news reports, it sounds like some low life saw an opportunity, jumped Mike, and not only killed him but stole his wallet and his car as well.

We found out right before the start of the game, when there was a brief tribute on the scoreboard and a moment of silence in his memory.

About 8:00 or so, a news crew from WTAE TV came around, looking for people who knew Mike. I chatted with the reporter and told her a few things I knew, but I declined to go on camera. Jessie did go on camera, and although we got home too late for the late news, sounds like they used her comments on the updated report. She told me that she always wanted to be on the news -- but not like this. If & when they post the story from the late newscast, I'll update the link.

Needless to say, he was a good friend and we're going to miss him a lot.

Why is it always the good guys who things like this happen to?