Wherever he goes, including in the outfield, at the plate and in the dugout, James Essex will whisper to the mother he lost when he was in fifth grade. I love you mom. I miss you. He will murmur to the woman who at times was so wearied by her eight-year fight with breast cancer that she would have to play catch with him from a lawn chair. Help me. Watch over the family. In the pastoral privacy of center field, the O’Connell senior will speak to her aloud. On occasion, a bird will dart past. To him, not just a bird, but a messenger. That’s you! I love you. I see you love me, too. Read full article > >

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Opening up about Mom opens doors for her son