In high school, I caddied at Sunset Country Club here in St. Louis for five summers. I remember my first day on the job.

But only because it was the same day Darryl Kile died.

Kile, of course, was the ace of the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff. He died of a heart attack 9-years-ago today. It was a Saturday; the Cardinals were in sunny Chicago ready to take on the rival Cubs. But no game would be played at Wrigley on June 22, 2002.

It came as a shock to Cardinals fans. It was less than a week after legendary Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck died. You can probably guess who pitched the night Buck died.

It came as a shock to me, too. I got home for the golf course around lunchtime, plopped down on the couch. My mom was watching something other than the pregame show – no surprise. All of a sudden, my brother, Cory, thundered up the stairs from the basement and told us Darryl Kile was found dead in his hotel room.

I was 14, and it was my first real experience with sudden loss. I tried to play some tennis and go to the pool with my family that afternoon, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

In the coming years, Kile’s kids and wife could be seen at the ballpark every now and then, though I haven’t heard much about them in a while. I hope they’re doing well.

Darryl did teach me, and probably some others, an important lesson before he left too soon.

Tomorrow is not promised.