'He would be really happy.' Family of 'Bunkie' Smith pays tribute to late Framingham coach
FRAMINGHAM – The moment required a mother’s tender touch, a daughter’s sensitive feel.
The daughter spoke eloquently, passionately, openly.
Microphone in her right hand, written notes in her left, she opened her heart near home plate at Bowditch Field Monday evening. Winds whipped up dirt from the infield, but Amanda Haywood simply brushed the hair out of her face while delivering an inspired tribute.
She calmly shared how difficult the past seven months had been, since her father, Paul “Bunkie” Smith – an 18-year Post 74 Legion baseball coach and 10-year city worker – died at age 70 on Sept. 14.
She confidently talked about how much Bunkie loved this time of year, not due to the warmer weather, but “because it was baseball season.” About how he valued accountability, respect and professionalism. She recounted his humbleness and his usual reminder: “Don’t pat yourself on the back – others will do it for you.”
The only hitch in her voice happened when she said that “dad would not want us to dwell in sadness.” As Haywood struggled to turn a notebook page, her mother, Cheryl, appeared with a gentle rub on her daughter’s back. Haywood was recalling how Bunkie could still hit “line drives into the outfield during batting practice.”
As she attempted to flip to the next page, she ad libbed. “Because at 70, he still had it.”
The crack put a smile on both of their faces. The mission of Monday’s dedication of the inaugural Paul “Bunkie” Smith Memorial Game between Framingham and Natick was accomplished.
Nobody was dwelling on sadness. After Haywood and her sister Lauren threw perfect strikes to catchers from both teams, the Flyers and Redhawks honored Bunkie’s memory with another fitting tribute: a well-played rivalry game.
Before Framingham starter Robby White delivered his first pitch, however, Cheryl Smith shared her own thoughts of the man with whom she shared 46 years of marriage.
“It’s sad,” she said in an interview behind the backstop, still clutching the bouquet of flowers she was presented with during the ceremony. “Beautiful, though. I like to see the outpouring of everybody here. I just know he would be really happy. I wish he was here. We always did everything together.”
Bunkie’s former player: ‘Family first, then baseball’
Bunkie’s former Legion players who suit up for Framingham High also spoke of the former Framingham South three-sport athlete who was drafted by the Red Sox and was well-known throughout the city.
A trio of sophomores went 1-2-3 with their comments. Ryan McAuliffe led off with, “He was a great coach; he was always there for us.”
Michael Chagnon, batting second, came through with: “He was also great outside of baseball. A nice family. Always knew what to say, when to say it.”
Hitting third, Jack Maude was clutch: “It was always family first, then baseball. He made it a great environment to play baseball in.”
Framingham athletic director Paul Spear and both coaches also took turns at the mic before the game. Framingham’s Matt Milano admitted to not knowing Bunkie well but that “he was a baseball guy through and through. He cared a lot about the kids in Framingham, whether you played for him or not, he knew who you were.”
Natick coach Jason Hoye knows the Smith family well. He taught physical education with Haywood at Wilson Middle School and said Bunkie was a mentor.
“He knew not just the Framingham kids,” he told the crowd, “but he knew every kid in the MetroWest area and everything they were doing regarding baseball.”
Framingham wins inaugural ‘Bunkie’ Smith cup
The neighboring towns have another chalice to play for. In addition to the Wheeler Cup (soccer) and the Elks Trophy (Thanksgiving football), Framingham and Natick will play for the Bunkie Cup each year.
The shiny trophy, which began the night filled with bubble gum, went to Framingham on Monday. The Flyers trailed 2-0 before effectively putting the game away behind a six-run bottom of the first.
Senior Lucas Messer had three hits and drove in four runs in the 10-7 victory. Classmate Jace Coleman went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Jack Byrne doubled and tripled for Natick.
Framingham junior Peter May earned the victory on the mound with 3 2/3 innings of relief. He also, before the game, spun a winning quote about the man whose words are still resonating.
“Every day he had a new story about baseball – a new way to keep us inspired in the game.”
Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached attdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimDumas.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: 'Family first.' Framingham, Natick pay tribute to Paul 'Bunkie' Smith
