The sports memorabilia items that NMJC head baseball coach Jimmy Durham posted online for auction recently reflect two of his greatest passions: sports and honoring his wife’s memory. Durham lost his wife, Michele, to breast cancer 14 years ago. During her treatments in Houston, the nonprofit Angel Flight South Central helped the Durhams stay together, flying the entire family, including their five children, for free.
“It was an emotional time for all of us, and Angel Flight truly made it bearable,” says Durham. “The children felt safer being with their mom during those trips, and I will always be thankful to the organization for the help they gave my family.”
This month, Durham is auctioning off multiple items signed by famous baseball and football players, with all proceeds benefitting Angel Flight South Central. Auction items include:
an MLB baseball autographed by Roger Clemens, future MLB Hall of Famer, seven-time Cy Young award winner (most all time), 11-time MLB All Star, two-time World Series Champion, AL MVP (1986), MLB All Century Team, and Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer;
an MLB baseball autographed by Alex Bregman, Houston Astros infielder, World Series champion, and Albuquerque native;
a baseball bat autographed by Bregman;
an MLB baseball autographed by Blake Swihart, Boston Red Sox catcher and Albuquerque native;
an MLB baseball bat autographed by Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles 1st baseman, two-time American League homerun champion, and two-time AL MVP candidate;