KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As Chris Young was churning his way through the New York Mets' lineup in the 12th, 13th and 14th innings of World Series Game 1 Tuesday night, the human side of him was dealing with a sense of emptiness that only a child who has lost a parent can fully understand.
Putting one foot in front of the other has been a day-to-day proposition of late. Young lost his father, Charles, to cancer in late September, and in some respects he finds sanctuary at the ballpark. But even in the heat of competition, barely a moment passes when his mind doesn't flash to some piece of advice or guidance to help him navigate the rough patches.