CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game in Charlotte provided a homecoming for one coach born and raised in the Queen City.
"Native Charlottean," said Memphis Redbirds manager Mike Shildt, a coach for the Pacific Coast League, "grew up in Crockett Park."
Shildt is a rising star in the Cardinals system but his baseball home is right here in Charlotte.
And so is his heart. -- his mom, Lib.
"He's worked so hard at everything he's done," said Lib from her seat at the game. "Of course I'm a proud mom."
Lib worked for the Charlotte O's and Frances Crockett in the 1970s and 80s.
"There were only three of us," she said with a smile. "Frances, me, and the ticket manager. We did it all."
Mike did too.
From shining Cal Ripken's shoes to shagging fly balls to running the scoreboard, his love for baseball was born.
"I think that clinched his love for baseball," Lib said.
Mike played at Olympic High School, then at UNC-Asheville, but his true calling is coaching.
He's won several minor league titles with Lib along for the ride.
"She's my biggest fan," he said. "She's great."