We Reds Fans were shocked and saddened with the sudden passing of a beloved member of our Fantasy Camp Family "Mr. Perfect" Tom Browning yesterday afternoon. Tom was one of the big reasons Reds Fantasy Camp is what it is, a truly great experience. Tom was never one of my coaches at camp, but it didn't matter. He interacted with just about everyone during the week of camp so you did get to know why he was so special out in Goodyear. My first interactions with Tom was not even at camp, it was at RedsFest years ago. He signed my 1990 world series program. Even in the minutes getting to chat with him then, he was very gracious and you can tell he enjoyed interacting with the fans. At camp is when he really shinned. Everyone has a Tom Browning story, even my wife Karen does. One of mine here, during my first camp's meet and greet, a few of us campers were talking to Todd Benzinger about what to expect the first day at camp and etc., Tom walks up and says "You guys are going to be so sore by the end of week, you won't be able to bend over to wipe your own ass!" That was Tom. Later that same week I was able to get a hit off him during a game. Afterwards he graciously singed a game ball. (See photos below). Later that same summer, at a Reds Hall of Fame signing, He signed a couple of those photos for me. He told me "Fantasy Camp is my favorite week of the year" He really loved it. He was everybody's friend out there. With his passing Camp, can't be the same. He touched so many of us with his humor, his passion for the Reds, for baseball, and for the Camp itself. You rookies I feel bad for. You won't have the pleasure of interacting with Tom at Camp. A special part of Camp passed away. Rest In Peace Mr. Perfect, praying for your family at this time.
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| "Nice Hit" he signed it |
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| At the Pro game he struck me out. He signed this photo "Pay back is a Bitch!! |
