Johnny Sain, Hall of Fame uncle

Not long after I posted my tribute to the late, great Johnny Sain, I received a wonderful note from Christy Turley, Johnny's niece. I've read so little about the "private" Johnny Sain, and was greatly touched by Christy's note. She's allowed me to share it with you. And I share with her the belief that Sain should be in the Hall of Fame.

Uncle Johnny was very special to my family.  I can remember, when I was a kid, he would come home to Belleville and people would line up with baseballs for autographs and he would sign them for hours and never once complain about it.  He would talk to the kids that were playing baseball (and softball) about the game and how to improve same.

He was not only an outstanding player and pitching coach, he was also a loving and caring man in general.  Growing up I only realized that he was famous when I was in my teens.  I knew that he was pretty special, and thought it was cool when he would bring home spinner balls, trading cards, posters, Braves and Yankees jackets and hats, and the first time I heard Sphan and Sain Pray for Rain, it stuck out in my mind that he was pretty special and famous.  But never once when he came home did he ever boast or brag about how famous he really was.

My only hope is that maybe one day (before I'm gone or my 12-year-old son is gone) that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with his teammate Warren Sphan.

Thanks, Christy.