Long time Austin Metro Baseball League player and Brave pitcher Kevin Rood passed away Friday May 18, 2007 due to complications from cancer. The Braves and many others in the AMBL are deeply saddened. Kevin had an unparralleled love for baseball and was an inspiration for all those who played with him.

Update: Starting 2008, the Braves renamed its pitcher of the year award to the Rood Memorial Award

Remembering Kevin Rood

• “What a lucky guy I am to have played ball with Rood on the Angels a few years back. He definitely had a “routine” before and during the game. He drove the 130 mile round trip to my ranch in his “classic” car complementing the place so much that I felt like I lived in a mansion on a plantation instead of my modest surroundings. God too recognizes talent and drafted you for His team. Rood, thanks for the memories!”Bob Patterson
• “Mine is last year when I pulled a line drive toward the third base dugout and nailed him in the thigh giving him a huge bruise. Not only did he refrain from crying but he proceeded to pitch a complete game. He was a tough dude and I am going to miss him. He was always so happy to be at the ballpark and his love for the game was contagious.”David Gruber
• “I had the pleasure of playing with Rood in the “fall league” the last two seasons. He was a great pitcher and human being. He will be missed.”Ryan Messina
• Wow, We have definately lost a good man, and friend to us all. I am truly saddened by this news.My memory of Rood was the old white car he used to drive and he was late to a game once and finally broke down and had me look for him a deal and he bought that black cadillac.God bless Kevin Rood.”Brent Samuels
• “Rood always told me despite the idea he wanted to wear his age as his # just to rub it in to the opponents, #45 would always be on his back out of respect to his favorite Cardinal Bob Gibson.”Craig Burbes
• “My Best Memory with Rood was last fall. Rood and I met to throw twice a week in order to keep our arms in shape as well as he helped me develop a circle-change. Rood had a great change up and he’d throw it in any count. He had a passion for the game and loved to talk baseball. I’ll never forget you Rood; your memory is only a Change Up away.”Chad Morris
• “I loved how Kevin would always strike up a conversation with me and would always be in a good mood no matter how the game was going. He always showed his love for baseball but knew when to leave his emotions in the game and still always have a good time. Kevin always made a point to say Hello and see how everyones wife or girlfriend was doing at each and every game. He was very dedicated to the team and every person that was around the team.”Amy Gayhart
• ” I remember sitting and talking to Kevin in Mike Bates backyard during an end of the season party. We talked about music and sports among other things. He was the kind of guy who could talk to anyone about anything. He was an absolute sweetheart! Although he was always a happy guy I saw a change come over him when he met Monica. He was happiest when she was around. I always enjoyed seeing him interact with all the girlfriends and wives after the games, he always had the time to say hi and see how everyone was doing. He and Scott met during the season to practice and he would ask Scott to bring our daughters along. He played catch with them and seemed to enjoy playing with them. They enjoyed the attention! When I told them that Rood was no longer with us they were deeply saddened. I hope Rood knows how many people cared about him and how he will be missed. This team is more like a surrogate family and Kevin was part of that family. He will be missed. God bless Rood.”Mohra Johnson
• “I’m deeply saddened. This is a painful reminder of how precious life really is.
  I’ll always remember Rood for his competitive spirit, hard head, and unparalleled love of baseball and of course his towel wavin’ hoppin’ & skippin’, long toss throwin’ pregame warms. He was intense. He worked harder than anyone I know to stay in the game. “Mike Bates
• “I just remembered when I had my very first practice with the Braves. I met Kevin, he was the very first person that I started throwing a baseball with on our team. I was kinda of nervous about throwing to him because it has been a while since I have thrown a baseball . And here was this Man that was in much better shape than I was at the time just bringing the heat. But he told me not to worry that this is a very fun team to play on. We will miss you kevin. Strike out the side where you are at.”Mark Juarez
• “Kevin “Rood” loved the game. A many of nights we would stay late after a game and talk about the Cardinals or the game we just finished. He was always kind to my kids and sometimes after a game he would play toss with them. I will miss him.”Scott Johnson
• “My favorite thing to do with Rood was before games walk up to him and sing some very obscure 70’s tune, and he would always know the chorus, the words, singer/band, and he would give you another hit that that group had, with a little history lesson on top! – It was hilarious! He absolutely loved baseball more than anyone I know – not only did he like to play in multiple leagues, he would watch over 200 games a year on TV too! Rood was one of a kind, and I have never met anyone in the Austin MSBL who loved the game more than him – his passion and heart for the game was unmatched, and has taught me never to take anything for granted. God Bless.”David Long
• “This is my fourth year of ball but I had been out of sports since ‘93 prior to finding the Braves. I played short that year (pre-Chad) and wasn’t sure how I’d do. I probably expressed some uncertainty at some point to Rood and he just told me to “Play Without Fear”.That’s how he was on the mound. He believed he could beat any batter he faced and got a kick out of foiling certain ones with his stuff. He was intense. There were times I’d go to the mound to settle him down but there was really no talking to him.”Kevin Warren
• “I had the pleasure of playing with Rood a couple of seasons. As many have already said, his love of baseball was amazing. Many people over the years would ask me when my next game was and tell me that they were going to come watch. Rood was the only person who actually did it. He was always asking how I throw this pitch and that pitch trying to learn – funny because through his questions he was actually the one teaching me!”Tim Dehne