Man of unshakable faith

Mom and I were blessed and honored to be able to attend the funeral Mass for Mr. Herb Score.

The rain showers came down in droves as church-goers side-stepped puddles forming on the outside of St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Rocky River while emotions were overflowing inside before the service even began.

Not only have we been admiring fans of his on-field notoriety our entire lives, but his broadcasting prowess shines like no other star. No one will ever emulate Herb's broadcasting finesse. If that was not enough, Herb's off-the-field and out-of-the-broadcast booth accolades shone even brighter. Fortunate to have made his (and Nancy's) acquaintance a number of times, Herb Score's faith and devotion to his God and his family was priority number one. This unshakable faith dictated who Herb Score was and how he lived.

All who knew him or knew of him came to the same conclusion: Herb WAS a man of unshakable faith....who always put God, family, and everyone else first....never spoke a terse word....and never felt sorry for himself.

Not only am I proud of my Catholic upbringing but truly enjoy being an Italian Catholic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Growing up, family, religion, wakes and funerals were all part of my moral fabric. To this day, I check the obituaries each day to see if a friend or distant relative has passed. When in college, there were classmates of mine who had never set foot inside of a funeral home. I was raised that death is not and should not be a sad occurrence. When someone dies, we may mourn their exit from this earth but in the next heartbeat, we celebrate because we believe that they are in their final resting place possessing eternal life with the Creator.

I am one-hundred percent certain that Mr. Score entered Heaven being greeted by his God, St. Jude, his Mother and Father, his daughter, other family members, and the best dog-gone baseball team EVER!

Score's funeral brought its share of tears. But there was so much more laughter in this celebration of a great life, a stellar man.

St. Christopher's was overflowing with family, friends, fans decked out in Cleveland Indians' garb, former colleagues and teammates. The altar was full of priests including St. Christopher's Father John Clebo, Bishop Roger Gries, and homilist Father Gary Chmura of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church (Father Gary's complete Homily is at the bottom of this entry).

The funeral was perfect. Being a devout Catholic, he had the traditional Catholic Mass at the Church he loved. His closest friends and family members ushered Mr. Score's casket into the celebration and out to his final resting place. A dear friend of the Score family, Father Gary Chmura, was asked to give the homily. At the end of the celebration, how fitting to have 3 men who knew Herb best eulogize this disciple. During the three eulogies, some tears were shed, but so much more laughter rang out as each reflected on personal memories and some wonderfully, funny stories about this legend. Each man recollected Herb's faith, passion for his Catholic religion, love of his family and profession --all of the attributes that shaped Herb Score.

Bishop Roger Gries spoke a few words on Herb's love of the Catholic Church. His most memorable award was not an honor bestowed on him as a ballplayer or broadcaster, but when he was chosen Catholic Man of the Year.

Cleveland Indians' broadcaster Tom Hamilton eloquently gave insight into his friendship as well as broadcasting relationship with Herb for so many years. Hamilton shared the story of his first game as Herb's partner....as they drove to and from the ballpark listening to Frank Sinatra ....and after his first game when Herb offered to buy him a beer, he knew they'd be surefire friends! Hamilton said he was new, it was his first game, he did not know Herb or know if he even liked beer, but after his very first game, he sure could use a beer (being from Wisconsin and all!). Miraculously, Herb offered to take him out for a beer. Hamilton said he already felt at ease! Herb went to get a few beers and came back empty handed. Hamilton asked if they were out of beer....and Herb said 'yea, they only have Miller light!' From that moment on, Tom Hamilton knew they would have a long-lasting friendship.

Hamilton also commented on Herb's wardrobe. He said day in and day out Herb wore the best of the best wardrobe. When asked what he was wearing or where he got it, Herb shrugged and commented he did not know....Nancy picked them out ....Nancy layed them out....and it was his job to put them on! Hamilton teared up a bit as he spoke of Score being the only man, besides his father, who gave him the best advice...

Rocky Colavito 'stole the show' so to speak. Rocky gave the first eulogy (which is why Bishop Gries' remarks were short and sweet!). Mr. Colavito was Herb Score's very best friend, they were like brothers. They were roomies in the minors, the majors, traded a day apart (Rocky to Detroit while Herb went to Chicago), kept absolutely no secrets from each other. After they each went their separate ways geographically, they still stayed life-long friends.

Rocky looked back on Herb's career with rave reviews. Both he and Herb did not believe Herb's career was over after he was struck in the eye. And they were right. Herb continued to play into the 60's.

Rocky shared so many delightful stories. I must share one about Rocky. During the course of his eulogy inside St. Christopher's Church, he inadvertently used the word 'hell.' The first time it came out of his mouth, he turned to the priests and the congregation and apologized. No worries! Toward the end of his story-telling, sharing yet another fantastic memory, the word 'hell' came out yet again. He whipped around to the row of priests apologizing profusely. Father John turned to Rocky and said 'Rocky, that's two strikes, one more and you are out!' Everyone laughed and knew that Herb was listening and laughing right along...

One other story I'd like to share from Rocky is the night of Herb's eye injury, May 7, 1957, against the New York Yankees. Rocky said he saw Gil McDougald hit the ball and was looking into the outfield to see where it would land. Nothing. No ball. He got this awful feeling in the pit of his stomach. He looked into the infield and saw his best friend laying on the pitcher's mound. He sprinted as fast as he could from the outfield, put his glove under Herb's head and was by his friend's side. They took Herb off the mound. The inning was not over. They were still in the middle of play. Rocky could not wait for the 3rd out. At the end of the inning, Rocky again sprinted from the outfield down the long tunnel into the clubhouse to see how his friend was doing. When he arrived inside, trainers and doctors were tending to Score. He asked his buddy how he was doing. Herb did not complain, did not dwell on the pain, did not even feel sorry for himself. Rather, he said to Rocky --'what are you doing here? We're in the middle of a game. Get back out there!'

Herb Score's funeral Mass lasted over 2 and 1/2 hours. It did not feel that long. It truly was a celebration of a wonderful man's life on this earth. Herb's physical body may be in absentia, but his spirit and the memories we have will live forever inside each and every one of us--until we all meet again!

Below is the complete transcript from Father Gary Chmura's Homily for Herb Score's Funeral Mass.

Herbert Jude Score: 11/15/08: St. Christopher's Catholic Church

"The man who should be standing here today is Father Thomas Kelly. Father Kelly, part of Herb’s life and the life of his family for sixty years, is unable to travel because of age and illness. For the next few minutes I am honored and humbled to stand in his shoes.

Sometimes the true greatness of a man is only recognized in his dying - only revealed in his death. It’s not that suffering reveals anything new about a man’s character – it’s just that, for some reason, what has always been there becomes visible to us.

Think about Pope John Paul II, an author, linguist, athlete, AND THE pastor who traveled the world to meet his flock. It was only when we watched his body surrender the strength we were so accustomed to over to parkinsons – that we realized how much he merited the title that some have already tagged onto his name, John Paul the great.

Even Jesus – after all the healings, the miracles, the preaching – ended up with a tiny handful of followers and believers. It was only on the cross, in his final words, that we realized the greatness of his heart and the depth of his mercy – “Father, forgive them.” “Woman behold your Son – Son behold your Mother.” And to a man suffering alongside him – “today, you will be with me in paradise.” On that Friday afternoon when his eyes had already closed in death, it was only then that a centurion, a pagan, looked up and said – truly this was the son of God.

There are many here today who can and should speak about the greatness of Herb as a ball player, an announcer, a husband, father and grandfather. I’d like to talk to you about the greatness of Herb that I witnessed – Herb after the accident, Herb in his physical decline, Herb in his dying and in his death, because no matter how famous he was or could have been, no matter how well known he became, his true greatness, his character, was best revealed in his last years, days, and hours.

I want to talk to you about Herb who could have become a bitter and angry man, but would not dream of receiving communion without confessing his sinfulness and first being absolved. I want to tell you how he struggled to make the sign of the cross when I blessed him in the hospital – and was only able to complete it with the assistance of his helpmate and life partner, Nancy, who had been at his side for more than fifty years and who for the last years had been his hands, his legs, and his voice.

Like Christ on the cross, he didn’t complain. Like Jesus in his last moments Herb’s concern was not centered on himself it was for those gathered around his hospice bed. During the last mass Herb attended on Sunday – his eyes sought out the face of every person gathered in his room. Maybe it was only after seeing that gathering of family and friends, realizing Nancy would be cared for and that his family would be there for each other that he received viaticum and commended his spirit to God.

But just so this doesn’t sound like a canonization I also want to tell you about the Herb who had more than a little of the devil left in him. Nancy, this story is new – even to you - and up front I want to apologize for being Herb’s accomplice. We were at Bill and Kathleen’s in Florida seated around a coffee table covered with before dinner snacks. Because you were watching his diet when you decided he had more than enough you pulled his wheelchair a little away from the table and made him promise not to move it back. When you went to the kitchen to help with dinner Herb thought it over and came up with a brilliant solution – a way to keep his promise to the woman he loved and get some more cheese at the same time. He didn’t move his chair – he promised you he wouldn’t – instead he asked me to push the table closer to him so he could reach it without moving his chair. Then when you were coming back he had me pull it away again – and, until today, he got away with it.

Sometimes a person's greatness is only recognized in their dying and their death – but we are not witnessing anything new – Pope John Paul died – exactly as he lived – with courage and complete confidence in GOD. Jesus died exactly as he lived – with mercy, forgiveness, and selfless love.

SO... was Herb’s death impressive – yes, but only because he died the way that he lived - As a man of unshakable faith in the good lord – a man who loved his family more than his own life – a man of unspoken charity and virtue.


His death was holy, because he was holy.
He died like Christ, because he lived like Jesus.
He died as a believer, because his life was guided by his faith.

Is it any wonder that we have gathered here to mourn in the way St Paul tells us -- to grieve with hope.

Many of you know that Herb had a great devotion to St. Jude – the patron of lost causes. St. Jude’s day is celebrated on October 28th. I thought that would be a great day for Herb to die – to celebrate the feast with his friend in heaven, but Herb and Jude had other plans. Evidently, for Jude this time of suffering represented no lost cause – but a hope filled preparation for their meeting in heaven.

I’ve got to end with just a little baseball. Toward the end of his career hall of fame pitcher, Hal Newhouser, saw Herb pitching as a young rookie and remarked that he "would trade all of his past for Herb Score's future." and right now I would do the same …….. for today I am willing to bet everything I have and everything I own that Herb’s future began on November 11 when he stood tall and strong again before the God he served all his life and heard the words promised, by the almighty, to those loyal to him. Well done good and faithful servant. Come now and share your masters joy."