BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : For Stottlemyre, Memory of Brother Is Always There

Todd Stottlemyre’s eyes began to mist and he turned his head away, hoping no one could see. It was no use, though, and finally he gave up trying to hide his emotions.

Stottlemyre, scheduled to start tonight for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the World Series, said quietly that he won’t be going to the mound alone at Veterans Stadium.

He plans to look up and acknowledge his younger brother, Jason.

Jason Stottlemyre died of leukemia in 1981 and there has not been a day since, Todd said, that he hasn’t taken time to remember.

“He was 11 years old,” Stottlemyre said. “What he went through is a lot bigger than pitching or starting in the World Series. Believe me, it’s a lot more courageous.

“I learned a lot from him. He had a big influence on my life, and has helped me be the type of person I am.

“Even though it’s been 10 to 12 years, it feels like yesterday to me. I still have tough days when I think about it. I think about how fortunate we were to have him in our lives, even though it was such a short time.”

Stottlemyre was 15 at the time and donated bone marrow, believing it might save Jason’s life.

“I can’t describe the feeling of being the one to give a bone marrow transplant, and two days before he’s supposed to get released from the hospital, see him lapse into a coma and die,” Stottlemyre said.

“The thing I’ll always remember about him is that even though the odds were so much against him, he lived every day to its fullest.

“Believe me, we’ll be out there together.”