Sid Bordman

Sid Bordman was born on October 25, 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Central High School in 1941 and Rockhurst College in 1954.

Sid met Theresa Barbara Maasen at a basketball game at Redemptorist Catholic Church and they were married at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church on February 1st, 1951. They lived in Overland Park, where they raised their four children. Theresa passed away in June of 2008.

Sid was a convert to Catholicism, being baptized at St. Vincent’s in 1950. He was a very devout Catholic, and never missed Mass, even when he was on the road covering baseball.

Sid is survived by his four children, Janice Biggs (Pete), Stephen Bordman, Barbara Helm (Ron) and Ted Bordman (Rhonda), four grandchildren, Robert O’Connor (Lisa), Catie Biggs, Kelly O’Connor (Jennifer Van Meter), Maggie Hergott (Nathan), two great grandchildren, Harriet and Frances O’Connor, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Sid enlisted in the US Army in May 1943 – serving in the Corp of Engineers until February of 1946. He was stationed in Guadalcanal, the Philippines and Japan. Sid was offered a Warrant Officers Commission to stay in the Army for the Occupation of Japan, but he declined. It was time to go home and resume his job working for the Kansas City Blues, a minor league farm team for the New York Yankees.

In 1939, Sid was selling newspapers by Municipal Stadium, and the clubhouse manager of the Blues told Sid to “get rid of those newspapers, because you are going to be the batboy for the visiting team.” The Blues won the game, and Sid was hired. He remained the batboy for the visiting teams until he went into the service in 1943. After leaving the Army, Sid returned to the Blues and became their Clubhouse Manager. During his time with the Blues, Sid developed many close friendships. Sid remained particularly close with Phil Rizzuto, aka “The Scooter.” Phil would always visit Sid’s family when the Yankees were in town.

Sid spent 34 years working for the Kansas City Star and Times. Although he covered many professional and collegiate sports, his true love and passion was always baseball. Theresa usually accompanied Sid to Spring Training for the Royals. They enjoyed their travels to Florida and even purchased a small trailer to live in during that time. Some of the many high lights of Sid’s career included covering the first All-Star Game the Royals hosted in 1973 and the 1985 World Series.  Not only did he cover baseball, he also was an Official Scorer for the American League. Sid “lived” baseball!

Sid also worked as Sports Information Director for Rockhurst College from 1987-2005 and was inducted into the Rockhurst College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

Later in Sid’s career, he agreed to help coach a girls softball team called the “Ghosts.” Those girls admired Sid and learned so much! He was their infield coach, and his favorite line was “one more time, girls!” His drills proved to be successful because they went undefeated for four years.

In retirement, Sid stayed active and went to the ballpark whenever he could. He played golf, walked almost daily at the mall, and met with his local baseball “cronies” for Friday morning breakfast at either Bob Evans or the Village Inn. Sid remained close to many of his childhood friends. He still talked to and occasionally had lunch with his very best childhood friend, Don Sarver. Sid was a loyal man.

Sid and four of his closest Kansas City Star buddies used to meet weekly at Governor Stumpy’s and there they decided to write a book about the history of Major League Baseball in Kansas City from 1955-1985. From “Worst to First” was a true labor of love and Sid was so happy when they were working on the book. He loved the book signing events they held and was always eager to sign a book for someone.

Sid lived at The Atriums in Overland Park for the last four years. He entertained the staff with his baseball stories. If you enjoyed listening to his baseball stories, you were immediately his friend.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at the Atriums, especially Susan, Tammy, Marla, Missy, and all the other special staff members on the Assisted Living Floor.

Sid was preceded in death by his parents, Beril and Bessie Rose Bordman, and his sister, Mildred Formby.

Services: Visitation December 28th 4:30 with Rosary at 6 pm Holy Cross Catholic Church in Overland Park. Funeral Mass, 10:00 a.m., December 29th at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rockhurst University Athletic Department, Holy Cross Catholic Church or Arcare Inc. PO Box 12890, Overland Park, KS 66282, www.arcare.org