It endures for A.J. Hinch because acts of kindness at the worst moments do.
The Astros manager’s father died on Feb. 8, 1993, just at the beginning of the spring season at Stanford of his freshman year. He returned home to Oklahoma, missing a series against Fresno State.
He had become fast friends with a fellow freshman infielder turned outfielder named Brodie Van Wagenen on what was a particularly tight-knit team. Hinch was grieving and dealing with family and a funeral and had no idea that on Feb.