NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Day Goes To Cincinnati With Family On His Mind
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 23, 2005; Page D09
TORONTO, May 22 -- Nationals right-hander Zach Day has much more on his mind than his recent struggles on the mound as he heads to his home town of Cincinnati for a three-game series. Day's sister, Erin, gave birth early Saturday to a premature baby, and Erin's history of kidney problems has Zach considering donating a kidney if needed.
"If I can give up mine, I'll be right there," Day said Sunday. "It might be something we'll know in six weeks or so."
Nationals starter Zach Day has a lot more to worry about than just his on-field performance as his sister continues to struggle with kidney problems. (Kevork Djansezian - AP)
Day became an uncle for the first time at about 4 a.m. Saturday, but the circumstances weren't ideal. He received a call from his wife, who told him doctors had to perform an emergency Cesarean section just 27 weeks into the pregnancy. The girl, Annie, weighed 1 pound 7 ounces. Day said both mother and daughter were stable Sunday morning, and he planned to travel directly from the airport to the hospital when the Nationals arrived Sunday night in Cincinnati.
Day said Erin's pregnancy was complicated by her history of kidney problems.
"It's definitely been on my mind the past few weeks," Day said. "I've definitely worried about her, and the health of the baby, but especially her. It's really taken a toll on her. She was always in my thoughts."
Normally, Day enjoys trips to Cincinnati, where he grew up, and he said he is still looking forward to this one. But he arrives this time having lost his spot in the starting rotation, with a 6.00 ERA -- and with concerns about his family.
"It puts it in perspective, the importance of family," Day said. "Baseball is definitely secondary to that."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 00835.html
I hope all goes well with Zach's sister. It certainly does put life and sports in perspective.
