TUCSON — The emotion still raw, Ryan Spilborghs talked today for the first time about the death of his beloved mother, Essie. She died last weekend at a Los Angeles hospital after a long illness.
“We almost lost her two year ago, so I feel like I was very fortunate to have her in Denver and to meet the doctors there. We feel like we were able to steal time for her,” Spilborghs told The Denver Post.
“As sad as I am, I wouldn’t trade the last two years for anything. I learned so many little things about her. She loves crunchy Cheetos.”
Spilborghs smiled at the recollection. He will return to Los Angeles in a few weeks for the service. Details are still being ironed out. In the meantime, Spilborghs is back in a baseball uniform, his sport a temporary diversion. He is starting in center field today against the Angels at Hi Corbett Field after spending Sunday working out with teammates.
“It’s been therapeutic to be here. I had a chance to be with my family and all of my mom’s sisters and cousins. “It’s really difficult, but the thing that made it easier was the support from the teammates and friends that my mom got to know. There was a lot of people that gave us a lot of love. That really helps.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
