VINCENT SNOWBARGER: “the Kansas City area, our national past time of baseball, and everyone who admires courage and grit suffered a tragic…”

“the Kansas City area, our national past time of baseball, and everyone who admires courage and grit suffered a tragic loss yesterday. Dan Quisenberry, former relief ace for the Kansas City Royals, lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 45. Quiz faced death with the same unblinking fearlessness with which he faced a Wade Boggs or a Don Mattingly or a Reggie Jackson. His courage in the face of adversity was inspiration for all of us. Dan Quisenberry became the second Kansas City Royal to fall victim to this disease, joining manager Dick Howser, who died in 1987, just 2 years after leading the Royals to the world's championship. Dan Quisenberry developed a reputation as a 'flake', based on his friendly banter with reporters who always sought him out for a good quote. This is a man who, finding success after a rare downturn in his pitching fortunes, told a reporter that he had found a delivery in his flaw. But, Quisenberry also was an intelligent and articulate man, a witty man who turned to poetry after his retirement from baseball. He also was the best relief pitcher the Kansas City Royals had ever known. He was the first pitcher to save 40 games in a season, and he still holds the American League record for most saves in two consecutive seasons with 89. At the peak of his career, he was a factor in every game; unique for a pitcher.”