What's in a name?

Mid-Island Little League coach Joe Calabrese has coached a lot names throughout the years. It's a Little League coaching career he says he thought was over.

"I've been coaching Little League for like, it was like 15 years before that, and it was getting close to the end for me," he said. 

But in November 2014, Calabrese's own name became a reason there was still so much to play for. His brother John Calabrese, a 45-year-old financial analyst and huge sports fan, passed away suddenly while working out, leaving behind a wife, two daughters and a son, John Jr. – or, as his teammates call him, John Boy.

John Jr. was eight at the time. And so Calabrese knew that his choice wasn't really a choice at all. He knew there was one more Little Leaguer to coach.

"Without saying, it became my responsibility to take care of my nephew and nieces," Joe said.

"He'd go from work to John's games, go in a suit, just stand at first base and just ref, I guess," said Jaclyn Calabrese, John Jr.'s sister.

"He's done so much for John Boy, he really has," said Christine Calabrese, John Jr.'s mother. "Not just baseball. All around."

Baseball became a way to heal, to remember, to continue John’s name.

"He was a baseball guy, football guy, my brother John, He was a really, really great guy," Joe said.

Four years later, John's memory is still alive. Joe is dedicating Mid-Island's World Series run to his brother.

Now, Joe and John Jr. are together in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the culmination of one career and the beginning of another, uncle and nephew, player and coach, the name on the front of their jersey their home, and on the back, their family.

"I dedicated this season to him, and it's been surreal," Joe said. "We've got a close-knit group, close family. So it's tough, but we get through it."

"I can't explain it. I can't," Christine said. "But he has been truly been a blessing to us."

As Mid-Island continues to make this run, there will be another member of their team between the lines, or, as they said, an angel in the outfield/

"He's loving it. He's watching it and loving every minute of it," Christine said. Really, truly. I know it.”