This post evidently never went live back in January, so it is being reposted today.
Jonathan “J.B.” Redler died on December 28, 2008.  He was an infielder with the McKinney Blue Thunder of the Contiental Baseball League, and he was 25 years old.

I had the opportunity to work with J.B. in capacities other than his on-field duties.  He was terrific with the kids in the McKinney, Prosper (TX), and Frisco (TX), especially when he went to elementary schools and spoke to audiences of over 400 kids and teachers.  The kids were captivated by his authentic nature, and he graciously answered the kids’ questions which ranged from what is was like to play baseball, what his favorite movies were, and even if he had a girlfriend!

IndependentMinorLeagueBaseball.com expresses our deepest condolences to the Redler and Hannon families, and I personally want to tell his family that I enjoyed having him as a teammate.

Matt Mc Dermott