I first met Charlie Eshbach in 1992. He’d just been appointed president and general manager of a team, yet to be named, by owner Dan Burke. I met Charlie for breakfast to discuss a conceptual drawing I’d developed for Hadlock Field’s facade and general layout.

Charlie had a commanding presence, and I was a little nervous to meet him. Those concerns were unnecessary, for he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. There was not an ounce of pretentiousness about him. We hit it off immediately, and a lifelong bond was created.

Over the next 23 months, Charlie and I logged long and arduous hours together putting the finishing touches on a facility that thousands of fans have come to enjoy.

On April 18, 1994, knowing that I was, and am, a longtime New York Giants fan, Charlie asked me to be the personal escort to Frank Gifford, whom Mr. Burke had brought in to throw the inaugural opening day pitch. Thanks to Charlie, my wife, Donna, and I got to spend the entire day with Frank and his wife, Kathy Lee. Charlie honored me yet again by asking me to throw out the opening day pitch celebrating Hadlock Field’s 15th anniversary – an act I thoroughly appreciated.

Much has been written about Eshbach’s baseball prowess, and rightfully so, but for those of us who knew him personally, we know that a finer, warmer, more caring man never existed. Sleep well Charlie … I know where you are. I hope someday to be there as well so that we can meet up again forever.

John Rague
Portland

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