I attended a funeral today for Don George, who I have known for almost 40 years because I grew up with his nephew. Don was a high school baseball coach and teacher for 35 years. He also was top-notch baseball player in his own right. He was part of the much-acclaimed 1951 Fresno State baseball team that went 36-4 and featured some of the region's best athletes. Don, who led the '51 team in hitting, was inducted into the Fresno State Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jake Abbott, onetime Fresno Unified superintendent, gave the eulogy for Don at a chaopel packed with friends and famiily. Abbott pitched on the '51 team, along with future major leaguer Truman Clevenger. Clevenger, by the way, looked like he could still go nine innings for the Yankees. Members of the 1951 team served as honoray pallbearers.

Don started his teaching career at Fowler High School. He retired in 1992 while at Hoover High School. Don made his mark as a baseball coach at Roosevelt Hgh School.

The last time I saw Don was in May at the funeral of his sister-in-law, Mildred George. It seems that we see too many longtime friends only at funerals these days. That must change in the new year. I'm hoping for fewer funerals and more quality time with friends.