Two truly great men were lost in recent days and I would like to write just a bit about each one.  One was from politics, the other from baseball.  One I had the honor of meeting, the other I admired from afar.

First, let’s talk about John Dingell.  He was a congressman from an area of Michigan not far from Detroit and served in the House longer than anyone else.  He was elected to the seat after his father retired, and now Mr. Dingell’s wife holds that seat.

Everyone who knew John Dingell loved him, even his political foes.  That is rare in a place like Capitol Hill.

I had the honor of meeting Congressman Dingell during a news conference with a local member of the House, Phil Sharp.  Both men took a special interest in all things energy.  I was working for a regional radio network at that time (the early 1980s) and waited for my chance to interview John Dingell.

As I was waiting, another member of the press corps told an awful, off-color joke and John Dingell smiled, did a half-hearted laugh and quickly turned to me.  I spent only a few minutes with John Dingell, but I couldn’t help but like him.

The second man we recently lost was Frank Robinson.  I listened to Cincinnati Reds radio broadcasts regularly during the early and mid 1960s.  In those days, only a few baseball games were available on television.

One of my favorite Reds players was Frank Robinson.  I still have memories of my best friend Jack Mitchell and I listening to every Reds game we could get on our transistor radios (cutting edge technology at that time).

My Dad announced we were taking a family vacation in the summer of 1965, and we were all going to a Reds game as part of the trip.  I was beyond excited.  I got a special treat when I discovered the the Reds were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers and the starting pitcher would be one of the greatest left-handers in the history of the game – Sandy Koufax.

What I remember most was what happened in the bottom of the first inning.  Frank Robinson hit a towering home run over the scoreboard in left center field at the old Crosley Field, off the great Sandy Koufax.  The Dodger starter only lasted to the fifth inning and the Reds won the game on a 2-out ninth inning home run by Leo Cardenas.

But the memory embedded in my mind is that Frank Robinson home run –  it was something to see.

During the following off-season, in one of the worst trades in baseball history, the Reds traded Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles.  Robinson tore-up the American League with his play and the Reds were relegated to second-tier status until the Big Red Machine came along in the 1970s.

Once his playing days were over, Frank Robinson became the first African American manager in Major League Baseball.

I have fond memories of John Dingell and Frank Robinson.  Both left a strong legacy in their chosen professions.  May their souls rest in peace