World Series Bound, But Don't Forget Charlie Donovan
I hope this isn't in bad taste, but in commemoration of going to the College World Series, I would encourage everyone to remember former Michigan recruit and older brother of starting catcher Joe Donovan, Charlie Donovan. For those that don't remember, Charlie was the top recruit/signee in the class of 2015, and would have been a senior on the team this year. Charlie passed away tragically before playing a single game for the Wolverines, and was a beloved baseball player in the state of Illinois.
I just ask that while we enjoy the team and all the success they've had, we remember Charlie Donovan who tragically passed away before we had the opportunity to see him play, and the impact he made on everyone. He was honored during senior day this year, and was one of the biggest recruits Coach Bakich had signed.
Check on your friends and family, and don't be afraid to tell people you love them. Because life is fleeting, and while the team is incredibly successful, I just ask that we don't forget all that they've gone through, because Charlie Donovan was one of the best people you would ever meet, and his impact is still reverberating through the program.
Once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine, rest in peace Charlie.
This is a good note and fully in the spirit of celebration of a moment like this.
Thank you. I personally never had the pleasure of meeting Charlie Donovan, but a few of my best friends had the opportunity of competing with and against him, and he's someone that impacted everyone on a deeper level, and with Joe being on the team and wearing his number, I felt he was someone that people would appreciate and enjoy calling a Michigan Wolverine, even if his time was tragically cut short. The fact that he would've been a senior on this team is bittersweet, but he was a fantastic human, and someone that should be remembered.
I agree completely and there is no need for concern over, "bad taste." It is when things are best that we need to remember the people that aren't able to celebrate with us. I was not aware of this story prior to this post, but I hope there are a few special moments for the Donovan family during this WS ride. RIP Charlie Donovan
R.I.P. Charlie.
Very thoughtful comments...you can never tell those you love those words too many times while striving to live in a way that honors those who came before us.
Nice article on the family from back in May from senior day . https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/5/12/baseball-kornacki-charlie-donovan-remembered-on-a-very-touching-senior-day.aspx
Charlie Donovan is a Michigan Man..
Great story. Has it been publicly released how he died?
Don't know that it's been publicly released, but it's known that he took his own life. The stories shared in this reddit thread appear legit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/3rv669/charlie_donovan_and_depression_the_darker_side_of/
Wonderful tribute.
I just wanted to say that depression and other mental illnesses are nothing to be overlooked. If you or anyone you know suffers from mental illness, please get help.
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support
Thank you! The key is trying to remember that all of this support exists when you need it. The dark places are really dark.
I can't imagine being as good at something as a DI college baseball player. Or as good as Chris Cornell was at singing. Or as good as Anthony Bourdain was at cheffing etc. And it still wasn't enough for them. Depression is a killer. Reach out to people for no reason. People you haven't heard from. People you don't normally talk to. Even Buckeyes. Let's stop being dicks to each other and see what happens.
Let's stop being dicks to each other and see what happens.
Wouldn't that be great? Maybe we can make our own small contribution and stop saying "fuck (insert name here)." Even if it is in reference to someone truly awful.
Great post. I was at all three games this weekend and I thought about his brother every time "Joe Dirt" * came to bat. It also made me think of my uncle that played baseball for Michigan in the late 70s before passing away from cancer only a few years later at the age of 24. I have a framed picture of my grandfather and uncle in his Michigan baseball uniform always on display in my living room.
* Every time he came to the plate someone in the Michigan crowd yelled, "c'mon Joe Dirt!". I thought that was a great nickname for a catcher with the name Joe D.
I didn't know about this story at all. I came to this thread to celebrate the man who hired Lou Brown and helped make the Indians pennant winners back in the 80s. This is better, though.
I sent my buddy a text last night right after M won that read, "it's all coming together, Pep!" It's been our go-to message for years whenever the Tigers were clinching something or M has a big win.
Nice to remember someone who passed way too young. The announcers of Saturday's game (I think it was Saturday) mentioned Charlie Donovan.
This is very nice of you to write. We'd be remiss not to have this somewhere:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
I also know that it's hard to get people to make that call, etc. I've printed this article, Stay, and keep it in my wallet in the event I come across someone who really needs it.
http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/07/stay/
Thanks for sharing.
Don't forget Joe Donovan either!
Could have had two out of that mystic pizza marine air Hollywood Nights clash on Saturday Night Live when it took not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE errors to produce the Sunday Night Special!
Go Joe Donovan, Go Blue!