From Nat Bailey Stadium to the World Series
Dawn Tom has been a Vancouver Canadians Housing Mother since the team first instituted the opportunity back in the summer of 2000. Since then, Dawn has taken in more than 20 former players for the season including current New York Yankees OF Nick Swisher.
"Nick had this boundless energy and enthusiasm," Tom reflects as she remembers the former Vancouver Canadian from 2002.
"He was extremely positive and you could just tell he had his eye on the big show (Major Leagues)".
Swisher played briefly for the C's getting in just 44 at-bats (.250) before the Oakland Athletics who were extremely high on the former Ohio State Buckeye promoted him a step closer to his eventual home at the Coliseum.
"Nick found out he had been promoted on the way back from a roadtrip, so he was on his way at around 4am. He left us a note saying 'thanks for everything' before he zipped away to the airport and we still have that note framed on one of the walls here in our home,".
Tom's family which includes sons Kyle and Nolan has also been home to current Los Angeles Dodgers OF Andre Ethier. Unlike the vibrant Swisher, Ethier was much more reserved but still gave off the vibe of a future Major Leaguer.
"Andre wasn't the type of player to go out every night with his teammates. He enjoyed the occasional separation if only to clear his head. When Kyle played in Little League, Andre would simply come and watch his play and just take things easy," says Tom.
Ethier was yet another player to make a brief appearance in Vancouver before getting a promotion. Dawn and Ethier's teammates could see why very early.
"We had RHP Mike McGirr staying with us as well in 2003 and he would tell me that the pitchers loved having Andre in the line-up because as good as he could hit - his defence was just as outstanding. Andre was the take charge leader in the outfield".
The stories and names that have stayed with the Tom Family are impressive as each year since 2000, they have seen no less than two players stay under their roof.
"I still keep in touch with TJ Gilpatrick (2000-'01) who lives in Cody, Wyoming and has one daughter and another on the way. He is just one of the nicest players I have ever met and we have a special friendship".
Those friendships between player and housing mother are often crafted at times during the wee hours of the morning or minutes after a hard fought game.
For every wonderful moment captured like watching your player hit a big home run, there are also moments not for the weak of heart.
"There is nothing worse than having to say goodbye to a player that has just been released. It absolutely rips your heart out," admits Tom who has had the unfortunate moment of watching a player leave her home with nothing more than a suitcase and a broken heart.
What makes the efforts of a housing mother worth while? Likely getting the chance to see a player like Nick Swisher help his team (New York) towards a World Series Championship.
"There was something unique about him. He spoke of his grandmother often when he stayed with us. I know when he comes to the plate he points to the sky and I am pretty sure that is who he is thinking of," says Tom.
If Swisher is to become a World Series Champion along with his Yankees teammates, it will be no easy task as the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies stand in the way.
Swisher's destiny will become clear shortly, but the dream of this moment past through one local families home some eight years ago when a former Vancouver Canadian outfielder dared to dream and Dawn Tom said come on in and stay a while.
Rob Fai is the Assistant General Manager and Broadcaster for the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club. Thanks to Dawn Tom for the time it took to reflect on a decade of support to our organization.