Mike Brockman

[autograf]

Hate to bring bad news to the forum but one of my best friends, Mike Brockman, passed away from a heart attack yesterday. I'm still in shock. Got the call late evening that he'd had a heart attack and talked to his brother shortly afterward who told me that he had passed.

If you know me from shows, you'd know Mike as well. Since about 1996 we hung together at shows. Every National during that time and many other shows from Chicago to Pittsburgh to Louisville to Nashville. Back in the early 1990's, when I was doing mall shows, Mike would come around and buy stuff here and there and I knew him briefly from that. At the 1996 National in Anaheim, my mom and dad went with me and that was when I hooked up with Mike and Dave Willinger--another Louisville friend. From then on, we forged a friendship through cards that grew from there.

Mike was a veterinarian by trade and has three kids--Julia, Leah and Mitchell. Julia and Leah have graduated college and Mitchell is a freshman at University of Cincinnati. His wife Missy is a teacher in our public schools. I can't imagine what they're going through and with this bullshit virus floating around, I couldn't go to the hospital last night.

Mike has always collected vintage cards--Old Judges, T206, BF2's, R312's and just pretty cards that passed the eye test. I always called him the "picky bastard" in the earlier days when he could afford to be more condition conscious. Those standards had to be relaxed in the later years as those cards all became graded and so tough to afford anymore. I think he passed a couple cards shy of R312's and maybe 15-20 BF2's short.

Mike also collected equipment--bats, gloves and balls, bobbin heads, unopened bazooka boxes and other miscellaneous stuff. He has a phenomenal bat collection with ring bats, early Louisville Slugger pieces and decal bats. During a woodworking phase, he built a bat rack for his bats that is sized like a Louisville Slugger rack and just a beautiful piece.

Most of all, Mike was just basically a good, decent man. It can't be put any simpler than that. He worked hard to take care of his family. Put his kids through school and saved for his future. He'd just bought a house at a lake about 1.5 hours from Louisville and had sold his veterinary practice a few years ago and was working as a pay vet for a friend of his. He and Missy planned on retiring in about 5-6 years and planned to move to their lake house. He literally just bought a pontoon about 3-4 weeks ago and was excited about that. His daughter Julia was to be married in August I believe.

Sorry I'm rambling. There are tons of stories as there always are in these situations. I'll end with all the cliche's that we all do--hug your loved ones, take time to tell people you love them and yadda yadda. They always hold true but right now it's tough to adhere to my own thoughts. I know a LOT of good, decent men in this forum and just wanted to share a little about Mike with you who know him and also those who don't. Most of us have that close hobby friend or friends and can understand my angst.

Thanks for listening.....there may be more down the road.

[Leon]

Very, very sad to hear this. Mike was always great to talk with. We would joke around and he would always remind me of his name. After about 17-20 yrs I think I had just remembered it. Anyone that knows me knows that is normal. I could always count on him for a smile and a laugh. I will miss that. RIP Mike.

[hcv123]

I don't recall knowing you guys, but suspect we must have crossed paths at Pittsburgh or the National. I am also a big collector of Bazooka complete boxes and wonder if there might have been a conversation about those somewhere along the line. Condolences to you his friend and his family. Always sad to lose a good hobby guy. Stay safe. RIP Mike.

[sb1]

Unbelieveable......Mike and I go quite a ways back and always enjoyed our time at the National. Very sad news for his family.

[Vintagecatcher]

Tom,

Sorry for your loss.

Patrick

[Matt E.]

Tom,

My deepest sympathies to you at the passing of Mike, as well as his family.

The collecting community has lost a good man and you have lost a dear friend.

I type this with heavy heart for a man who was someone who I looked forward to seeing at National annually.

Mike always made myself and my son, Turner, feel welcome when talking with him in the aisles. He was just was a guy you wanted to be around. He always took the time to and ask about us, instead of what was going on with himself. A true class gentleman.

You just liked Mike instantly upon meeting him, you couldn't help it. He always had a smile and a very positive attitude and you just knew he was having fun collecting whatever he had in his hand / hands at the moment! He will be sadly missed!

Take care Tom,
Rest in peace Mike,

Matt and Turner Engle

[Al C.risafulli]

What awful news. Mike was a super nice guy, and I was hoping to see him on my next trip through the area.

Condolences to his family and friends, and to you, Tom.

-Al

[edhans]

Mike was always one of the guys you looked forward to seeing at the National. He will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Mike.

Ed Hans

[Northviewcats]

Very sorry to hear the news. My prayers for family and friends.

[MGHPro]

This is absolutely shocking news . He’s one of the guys I always looked forward to talking to and hanging out with at the national . An absolutely great guy and friend . Sending thoughts and prayers to his family and friends !

[Bill Rayburn]

I have been struggling all morning trying to wrap my head around Mike's passing. Thanks Tom for the call and posting this thread. Mike was like a son to me. To long of a story to post here as to how we met but we have been very close for several years. I live 3 1/2 hrs from Louisville, Mike would come down, spend the night at our house and we would talk and work on bats for hours in the shop. We would buy, sell and trade with each other frequently. He would call weekly to chat and check on us. All I can say at this point is my heart is broken and my deepest sympathies go out to his family, Mike was truly a great man and will certainly be missed.

[tribefan1313]

I met Mike at the National through several other members on this board. He became one of my regular "National buddies" whom I would visit with and eat a meal with, while enjoying our week of collectibles. Mike's son is the same age as my youngest and they became fast friends. It was always fun to let them run around the National together to see what they could find. In recent years Mike let my oldest son and his roommate stay at his house while attending a Louisville football game on a road trip. They even had a goodie basket for them when they left. That was the way Mike was. He always put the cherry on top. Last year Mike offered to let my son and I stay at his lake house on the way back to Georgia from the National. Instead of staying in a hotel we were treated to a relaxing night on a secluded lake after a long week. He was always looking out for you and would have given you the shirt off his back if you needed it. We will miss you Mike, and the National will never be the same without you in attendance.Thanks for being a great friend and I wish we could have spent more time together!

[kmac32]

Definitely a loss to the Veterinary profession. Remember seeing his posts about shows in St Louis one time. Met him at a National about 3 years ago and what an awesome guy. He also gave me encouragement when I had my spinal stroke 10 years ago. May his soul rest in peace and my thoughts are with his family.

[Scott L.]

Tom so sorry for the loss of your friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.

[NiceDocter]

The best part of this hobby is NOT the stuff but the stories that go along with the stuff and the people who were there when it happened. Sad to lose a great guy, the memories remain.

[HRBAKER]

Really too sad for words at this point. Great hobby friend made during my days in Louisville. So thankful for the literally hundreds of hours I got to spend with Mike and Tom then and in the years since. Heartbroken for his family.

[Joe_G.]

Tom, I'm so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. It was a pleasure meeting up with you and Mike the Christmas before last at the Horse Ranch. Blows me away, way too young, such a gem of a gentleman. Our condolences to family & friends.

[bcornell]

Mike was a terrific guy. Funny, humble, knowledgeable (although he wouldn't admit that). One of the many guys I looked forward to seeing at the National each year, now there will be a void. I'll miss him a lot.

[oldjudge]

Just when you thought that the news couldn’t get worse, it does. Mike was a great guy, funny, knowledgeable, and a great father. He was one of the people I looked forward to seeing at the National. My deepest sympathies and love to his family. I mourn your loss.