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By Al Hamnik, al.hamnik (at) nwi.com
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Dave Blackburn battling
No hitter ever scared Calumet City native Dave Blackburn, who had reached the same legendary fastpitch softball status as his late father Ernie.
Both Hall of Fame pitchers threw heat capable of melting small glaciers and combined for nearly 200 no-hitters in their 80-plus years on the mound.
Ernie once threw three no-no’s and a one-hitter in three different cities the same day. At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, the 1949 Hammond grad rightfully found his way into every sports Hall of Fame worth mentioning.
Dave, one of five Blackburn sons spread throughout the country, won several gold medals and holds the American record for most appearances at the World Maccabiah Games, an international Jewish athletic event held every four years similar to the Olympics.
He will be inducted in the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame next year but at this moment, needs our prayers more than congratulations.
Dave Blackburn is fighting for his life.
On Aug. 27, Dave and some friends were driving from Los Angeles to Prescott, Ariz., for the 40-and-over ASA National Tournament when their car was struck by another vehicle on the interstate. Seated in the front, Dave took the brunt of the impact, according to family members.
“He’s still in critical condition and has a long way to go,” brother Jay said Monday. “The car rolled three times and supposedly caught fire. Fortunately, Dave was pulled out.”
A bachelor living and working in L.A., Blackburn has no famiy out there but law enforcement officials were able to contact brother Robert from a phone number they found on Dave’s Facebook page.
“They’ve had him heavily sedated,” Jay said. “My one brother (Ray) has been out there for a week and has not been able to speak a word to him.”
Godzilla could be standing in the batter’s box swinging a railroad tie and Dave Blackburn, much like Dad, couldn’t care less. But this current challenge is like nothing the 6-3, 270-pound pitcher has ever encountered.
“Two broken legs, a broken ankle, broken wrist, nine broken ribs and the sternum on one side,” Jay said. “His pelvis was broken, he had a hole in his colon that was torn, a hole in his lung and subsequently, the lung collapsed.
“It’s one of those never-gonna-be-the-same accidents. It’s hard imagining him ever walking normally again without assistance for a long time.”
Soon, the brothers will all be gathered at Dave’s bedside including Ray from Chicago, Robert from Louisville, Brian from Michigan and Jay from LaPorte.
They want Dave back in the game, as close as possible to being 100-percent healed, and invite any cards or get-well wishes from Region softball fans and complete strangers.
There were no spine or head injuries, thankfully, and being a life-long athlete should help in Dave’s recuperation. Plus, he’s got that Blackburn gene.
Those guys don’t know what it means to quit.
This column solely represents the writer’s opinion. Reach him at al.hamnik (at) nwi.com