Posted by Joe Hamrahi on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Devastated. That’s how I felt about 12:15 PM ET today as I walked into Goodyear Park. My heart sunk. I didn’t know what to do or say. I stopped, went into the shade and read my Blackberry again. This couldn’t be right, could it? Unfortunately, my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me this time. Our good friend and colleague John Brattain had passed away.

John’s older brother sent me this message:

Hi Joe:

My name is Rob Brattain, I am John’s older brother. As you may be aware John went in for a procedure on his heart. I regret to inform you that he did not survive the procedure. He asked me to get in touch with you if there were any complications.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Rob Brattain

If that statement doesn’t tell you about John Brattain, then I don’t know what will. John was more concerned about letting ME know if something happened to him than he was about his own body.

John Brattain joined BDD about a year and a half ago. He was recommended by Dave Rouleau, and he quickly became a fixture on our blog. We carved out a little niche for John so that our audience wouldn’t miss him. Whether it was Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, or his own Toronto Blue Jays, John breathed life into every piece of work he published. He was funny, sometimes controversial, but always insightful. You made sure you read John Brattain’s work.

Over the years, several writers have come and gone here at BDD. But John, in fact, was one of our longest tenured authors. When things were slow, you could count on John to carry the load. He never seemed to be at a loss for words.

If you’ve been following John’s latest entries, you know he’s been battling an illness for some time. When I spoke with him a few weeks ago, I told him to take some time off and just come back when HE felt well. He practically laughed me off. I remember John telling me that his upcoming surgery would be no big deal. In fact, he was thankful it wouldn’t be more complicated than expected. And yet today, we mourn the loss of a 43 year-old man taken from us way too soon.

John Brattain was the eternal optimist. I know I am a much better person for knowing him. I know more about the game of baseball than I did before I met him, but more importantly, I know more about the game of life. We didn’t just lose a colleague or writer today. We lost a member of our family.

I could probably write more, but I encourage you to read what Maury Brown, Jonah Kerri, Dave Studeman and the community at Baseball Think Factory have to say. You’ll get a true appreciation of the man.

I spoke with John’s wife Kelly this afternoon and expressed our deepest sympathy. I ask that you please keep his family in your prayers.

Life is strange and many times unfair, and as we’re reminded today, way too short.. Do yourselves a favor and live your life to the fullest.Work hard and play hard so you have no regrets. But most of all, express yourself to those you love and care about. You never know when you’ll get another chance.

All the best,
Joe

P.S. John’s work and biography will remain on BDD as a tribute to our friend.