Capaha player, SEMO recruit killed in wreck

Jess Bolen says Jody Gajewski was a good baseball player -- but an even better person.

"He was a real good, hustling ballplayer, but beyond that, he was just a good, young man who everybody liked," said Bolen, longtime manager for the Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union Capahas summer team.

Bolen spoke with a heavy heart Sunday afternoon after learning that Gajewski had been killed early Sunday morning in a one-car accident near his hometown of Nashville, Ill.

Even though Gajewski, who would have turned 20 this month, only played one season with the Capahas, Bolen said the first baseman made his mark this past summer.

"Everybody on the Capahas liked him. He was just fun to be around," Bolen said. "It's just a terrible thing. The entire Capahas organization extends our deepest sympathy to the family."

Gajewski, who played his first two college seasons at Saint Louis University, had transferred to Southeast Missouri State University and would have been a member of the Indians during the 2002 campaign.

"I'm just stunned," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "He was a very warm, personable guy, a real good guy to have on the ballclub. You could tell in our offseason workouts that he fit in very well with us. It's just a real shame."

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville, Ill.