The Bison Baseball team defeated the Osseo Orioles 9-5 Friday, May 6, but the game meant more than another win in the win column. This game was about honoring a fallen teammate who had a lot of love for the game of baseball.
On October 9, 2007, Sam Munoz was involved in a car accident that eventually took his life. Every year since then, the Bison Baseball community gets together for the Sam Munoz Memorial Game to celebrate his life and raise money for the Munoz Scholarship fund, which goes out to one senior on the team pursuing a baseball career in college.
This year, the Sam Munoz game is especially special to one Bison Baseball player. Senior Josh Munoz played in his last Sam Munoz Game to honor his older brother.
“This game means a lot to me and my family”, said Senior Josh Munoz. “It’s obviously very special because it’s for my brother. I just think it’s really cool because baseball was the sport he was very passionate about obviously and I carry the same passion as well and holds a lot of meaning to me, my dad, and my family.”
For the last four years, Josh has been able to play in the memorial game rather than being a spectator, adding even more meaning to the game of baseball for Josh.
“It’s definitely a lot cooler being on the field rather than just watching when I was younger,” said Munoz. “The game still meant a lot to me when I was younger, but being on the field holds a whole new meaning. I’m in a different focus when I’m on the field.”
The Sam Munoz game always attracts a big crowd adding a lot more energy to the game for all the players.
“I’ve played in the Munoz game for four years and I think it’s a great way to celebrate Sam’s life since baseball was such a big part of his life and of his family’s life. I think it’s one of the most fun games to play in, it’s always a nice night and brings out a good crowd,” said Senior Luke Merz. “I think at times it might be a little hard for them because they’ll have memories come up. But I think this game is a great way to celebrate his life because that’s what Sam would have wanted.
There were a lot of added emotions for Josh in this game, being that it would be the last one he would play in, but he handled them very well going 2-3 at the plate and scoring 2 runs.
“I just wanted to go out and give it my all, I was just praying that we would succeed in the game for my brother,” said Munoz.
