The Patriarch: An Enlarged Heart?

Yankee announcer Michael Kay often referred to journeyman pitcher Joe Kennedy as The Patriarch. I don't remember Kay ever explaining that he gave the pitcher this nickname because JFK's father was also named Joe Kennedy. Each time he said The Patriarch was on the mound I would ask myself: "How many young viewers is Kay alienating this time?"

As reported several days ago, Kennedy, 28, passed away at his in laws home early Friday morning, the day after Thanksgiving. Now comes the news that he may have had an enlarged heart. I'm not a doctor or any kind of health care professional, but if he did have an enlarged heart, a heavy Thanksgiving meal certainly could not have helped him any.

Sadly, this Patriarch won't get the chance to be the father of his own clan. He leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old child. My heartfelt condolences go out to them.

The Lady