Perdomo was the final physical remnant of Anthony's existence in Cardinal Red. We don't have a blossoming superstar's shoulder to lean on, nor a miserable excuse for a player on whom to vent our frustrations. We have nothing left to mourn over except our fading memories of a promising young talent and a world championship game.
Someday, with other things on our minds, we will catch a glimpse of red and blue striped stirrups or a cap with an ironed-flat bill. At that moment, for just the briefest instant, a long-buried memory will stir our souls and warm our hearts. We will stop in our tracks and try to hold on to that feeling.
Time may steal from us the details of your wind-up and the special way you toed the rubber, but nothing will ever take away the flashes of brilliance we saw when we watched you take the mound.
So here's to you, Anthony. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
