Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012, March 29, 1993, Page 16A, Image 16

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Boating accident victim honored
PORTLAND (AP) — With (ho team < hapiain ask
ing "Whv Steve7 Why now7" the ashes of Cleve
land Indians pitcher Steve Olin were buried Sun
day high in the Tualatin Mountains
About 300 people jammed the small chapel of
Skyline Funeral Home west of Portland, where
Olin was remembered by family, friends and team
mates ns a loving husband and father with an
infectious sense of humor His ashes were interred
with mementos of his life.
Olin. 27. and team mate Tim Crews. 31. were
killed last Monday when their 1H- foot bass boat hit
a pier on Little lake Nellie, near the Indians' train
ing t amp in Winter Haven, Fla
"Life has many mysteries,” team c haplain Tom
Petersburg said of the suddenness of the deaths
"Why Steve? Why now?"
Petersburg urged the family and team not to
despair, but to remember the good times they had
shared with Olin.
"Memories keep us from moving toward resent
ment," Petersburg said
Olin's wife. Patti, greeted friends at the chapel
door with warm smiles and hugs between sniffles
She was surrounded by supportive family mem
liers. including her parents and Olin's sisters. )oell
and Heather.
The crowd sat silently before the ceremony as
rose petals from the ImjwIs and baskets of flowers
drifted to the floor beneath a large photograph of
Olin in his Indians uniform
Petersburg opened the ceremony and led the
crowd in prayer
"Cod is a refuge." Petersburg said. "We come
here to sharpen the memories, to bring comfort to
those who are feeling Steve's loss "
Despite Olin's abrupt death, Petersburg said,
"God is no different this week than he was Inst
week
Andy Boone, a close friend, said he and Olin
had known each other since Raleigh Hills Little
League. They were roommates at Portland State
University, where Olin had won an athletic schol
arship
Boone recalled Olin eating macaroni and cheese
for breakfast m their college days. "Breakfast of
champions." he said The mourners smiled.
"Steve was the kind of man that 1 think every
good man tries to be." Boone said, praising Olin's
commitment to his children. Alexa, Garrett and
Kavlee. and his wife, Patti.
A* a husband. I don't think a woman could ask
for a finer man," Boon*; said. "Their relationship
inspired many people ”
After sharing boyhood memories of Olin and
Olin's family. Boone relinquished the pulpit to
Cleveland pitcher Kevin Wickander. who was
flanked by six teammates.
Wickander sobbed and cleared his throat.
"There was a side to Stevie that not a lot of you
might understand." Wickander said, his voice
wavering. "He was a major part of my life."
The tearful pitcher said no one expected he and
Olin would become such good friends, but they
were together in the bullpen for more than five
years.
“We were like one all the time.” Wickander
said "He was the best man at my wedding.”
Drafted by Cleveland in 1987. Olin player! rook
ie baseball in Burlington. N.C., and worked his
way up through the farm system He made his big
league debut in 1989 and had his first full year
with Cleveland in 1992. when he led his team in
saves with 29.
Nolaidv expected Olin would he so good on the
mound. Wic kander said
Olin "looked like Mr. Rogers.” Wickander said.
"He had a body like a howling pin."
Olin had a great sense of humor, and "was
always doing something mischievously to keep
us going." Wickander said.
As a pitcher, he believed strongly in supersti
tion.
"He wouldn't step on the third-base line when
he walked out to the mound,” Wickander said,
adding that he believed Olin's superstitions and
often followed his advice — like the time Olin told
him to get married.
"Stevie was such a great family man He would
never do anything until he had Patti's permis
sion." Wickander said, drawing a laugh from the
crowd.
"He was my family," Wickander concluded
The service closed with Garth Brooks' recording
of "The Dance.”
As Patti Olin slumped over and cried, her moth
er’s arm slipped around her, and |>eop!e through
out the chapel Imgan weeping. Through the chnpel
window, behind Olin's photo, a hawk circled to
the music.
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