Rivals Unified: Stratford and MHS Baseball Teams Come Together for Blake Barry

When Memorial and Stratford faced off in the second of two matchups last week at Rice University’s Reckling Park, the fierce rivalry between the two teams took a back seat to an especially emotional pre-game ceremony honoring Stratford Spartans senior captain Blake Barry. 

Just before the opening pitch, the two teams joined together and formed a circle in a moment of prayer for Barry, who just two weeks earlier was admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital with a rare blood disorder known as aplastic anemia, a condition that occurs when the body stops producing new blood cells. Generally, this type of condition results in chemotherapy and/or a bone marrow transplant, although doctors are still working with the family on a treatment protocol. 

Senior captain Blake Barry is a three year letterman for the Stratford baseball team where he’s played third base and first base for the Spartans. A two-sport athlete, Barry is also a three year letterman as a defensive lineman for the Spartans football team. (Photo: Ann Barry)

“Blake is one of those individuals that the moment you meet him you can’t help but love the guy,” said Stratford baseball coach Josh Hall. “He’s really the player on our team that brings everybody up and pushes guys to get better. Last week was a big adjustment for us to try and move on this season without Blake. All of our players love Blake and he’s just someone who’s impossible to replace in the clubhouse. Our kids have buzzed their hair and taken trips to the hospital to show their support. I’d say they’ve rallied behind Blake in a way that’s much bigger than baseball.”

It was certainly an emotional rally when both Stratford and Memorial came together during the special pre-game prayer and moment of silence for Blake. “The kids at Memorial were asking about Blake before our first game against each other last week. They all know him. The guys on both schools have played together or against each other for years growing up in the neighborhood and select leagues,” said Hall. “The Memorial players respect and love Blake just like we do, so the pre-game tribute was a really a player driven act by both teams. The kids wanted to show that we’re united as an entire Spring Branch community behind Blake.”

As for the games, the state’s number one ranked Mustangs defeated Stratford 4-1 on Tuesday and then 9-2 in Friday’s regular season finale to wrap up an undefeated district championship. The Mustangs begin the playoffs against the Heights Bulldogs on Wednesday in a best two out of three series.

Despite the defeats to Memorial, Stratford still finishes third in district and starts the playoffs on Thursday in a best two out of three series against the Westside Wolves.

Find updates on Blake on CaringBridge here and donate to support Blake and his family through GoFundMe here.