'Kevin was there for you': Winner/Colome manager Kevin Graesser dies after bout with liver disease

Ryan T. Deal, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Feb. 27—Kevin Graesser was a father, rancher and manager.

The long-time Winner/Colome Pheasants amateur baseball manager died on Tuesday after a bout with liver disease. He was 59.

Graesser was a staple in the Winner and Colome baseball communities, while also gaining respect across the state.

"He's one of the most well-respected people that I know," South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association President Dale Weber said. "He not only has a positive impact on the Winner/Colome amateur baseball team and the players, he also has a positive impact on South Dakota amateur baseball. He's one of the greatest people I've ever met."

In addition to amateur baseball, Graesser was instrumental in coaching and developing players across all levels of baseball. He's played a key role in molding the current group of Pheasants, who are perennially one the top Class B amateur baseball teams.

"He's kind of the reason that we have the team that we do," Winner/Colome amateur baseball player Austin Richey said. "Kevin was kind of the leader that we needed to make some of the tougher decisions that we just weren't quite ready for. He's somebody that we really learned a lot from in quite a few years of amateur baseball that he's been coaching."

Richey, who has known Graesser for more than 20 years, said the team won't be able to replace his impact. They also won't be able to replace his compassion, said Richey.

"Kevin was always willing to give you the cleats off his feet if you forgot yours," Richey said. "Whatever you needed, Kevin was there for you and it's going to be kind of tough going forward missing somebody like that. Not just a coach, but a mentor and somebody that everybody has always kind of looked up to and the examples that he set."

Richey said Graesser took a step back this past season and wasn't at every game. But he still had a hand in managerial decisions as the competitive fire still fueled him.

That competitive fire also drew respect from his peers.

"He always had a good team and they were ready to play when you played them," Parkston manager Dave Roth said. "It was good competition for us and they just made our league better."

Graesser and Roth developed a relationship when Winner/Colome joined the Sunshine League in 2015. They shared beers and swapped stories after games, while building their baseball bond.

"He was a good manager and a good person in general," Roth said. "I was just fortunate enough to know him pretty well while they joined our league. Amateur baseball is going to miss him."

Weber said the SDABA will likely honor Graesser at this year's state amateur baseball tournament in Mitchell. Graesser was the 2015 recipient of the Randy Weber Inspirational Award at the state tournament.

A benefit for Graesser was planned today in Colome, but it's been postponed to a later date. Graesser is survived by his wife, Tammy, and their three children: Derek, Alisyn and Regan. Derek was also a member of the Winner/Colome amateur baseball team.

Kevin Graesser's funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory. There is a prayer service at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church.