This post was written by Michael Sprunger, chaplain, Parkview Hospice.
As a hospice chaplain, providing spiritual care requires me to wear various caps depending on my patients' needs. For some, this can involve reconnecting with their faith and religion. For others, like Tony Yagodinski, it could mean helping them find comfort in the activities they love.
Introducing Tony
I often get to know a lot about my patients through their life review conversations. Tony is one of ten children and resides in his childhood family home. He describes his three passions in life as faith in God, family and the San Diego Padres®.
When I met Tony for the first time, it was easy to see he was a baseball fan, and there was no doubt that his loyalty belonged to the Padres. He is such a devoted fan that most days, he wears something with the team's logo and always has a schedule of their game times and TV channel listing on a calendar near his chair. Although Tony has always lived in New Haven, Indiana, this West Coast team somehow captured his heart in his younger years, and he has been a lifelong fan ever since.
Overcoming odds
In an early visit with the family, Tony and his siblings shared a significant moment from their past with me. At age 14, Tony was involved in a serious car accident along with a couple of his siblings. Tony was severely injured, and physicians told his family that he would likely have mental and physical weaknesses for the rest of his life. Despite the poor prognosis, Tony recovered well from this challenge and his mind remains sharp as a tack. However, he still has some physical limitations from the event. Tony’s love for baseball, on the other hand, never waned even though his own dreams of playing the sport were taken away.
A team effort
I had the opportunity to attend a couple of Fort Wayne TinCaps® games this year with my six-year-old son. Upon seeing his joy in interacting with some of the players before the game, my thoughts went straight to Tony. I wondered how I might be able to bring that same joy to him.
Coincidentally, the TinCaps happen to be the High-A minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres, Tony’s favorite team. After a preliminary conversation with Tony’s sister, I was determined to make the connection between the TinCaps and Tony a reality. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure that I could make this happen.
It was August, and the 2024 season was winding down. The team was away on a two-week road trip, and when they returned, there was only one week left in the season. I sent a message to the TinCaps front office, thinking the chances of a reply would be slim this late in the season. Morgan Olson, the TinCaps’ Assistant Director of Marketing, responded to my initial email to let me know she would check to see if it would be a possibility.
Two weeks passed quickly, and the team completed their road trip and returned home for their final week of the season. After Labor Day weekend, I came into work hoping to see an email from the TinCaps, but there was none. So, with simple hope, I waited patiently. Then, like an answer to a prayer, Morgan faithfully responded two days later, informing me that some of the TinCaps players were interested in visiting Tony!
Bringing home the win
On Friday, September 6, I met TinCaps players Colton Bender, Tyler Robertson and Addison Kopack, along with Morgan, at Tony’s house. Tony’s sister escorted us into the house and right to his side. Of course, he was wearing a Padres shirt, fandom on full display.
Tony was pleasantly surprised by his TinCaps visitors. His sister had also arranged for some family members to be with him during the gathering. These young baseball players were gracious and kind, creating a memorable moment with Tony and his family. As a special treat, they brought Padres goodies for the New Haven super fan.
The closer
Reflecting on my day with Tony and the players, I can only describe the significance of the experience in baseball colloquialisms. Most good days are like batting .300 – a mixture of successes and challenges, while imperfect, still noteworthy. That day was more like hitting a walk-off home run – a rare and unforgettable moment that brings joy to all involved.
While my own baseball devotion has largely gone to another MLB® team, this experience and getting to know Tony has created a special place in my heart for the San Diego Padres. I don’t think it was just an accident that a few weeks later, while traveling for vacation, I was seated right behind Rollie Fingers, one of the most famous MLB pitchers to ever play for the Padres. I made sure to get an autograph for Tony.
If you have questions or want more information about hospice and palliative care services or a patient referral to Parkview Hospice, please call 260-373-9800 or 800-363-9977. You can also complete our online form here. We are happy to answer your questions and walk those paths with you.
