A Stratford sports legend has died.

Bob Baird may be known for his tireless work with the Stratford Brakettes, but he did so much more.

His son Rob brought out tons of pictures of his father Wednesday at Deluca Field in Stratford. Most of the pictures show him with his family and his 15 grandchildren.

Baird played sports and worked as a sportswriter for the Bridgeport Post and Telegram. He also wrote for the New York Daily News as their Fairfield County sports correspondent, among his many other titles.

"He really cared and that was as a teacher, as a coach, athletic director, friend, father, grandfather," said Rob Baird.

"He was funny. Everything was a story with him," said longtime Stratford Brakettes manager John Stratton.

Stratton, 85, is one of Baird's oldest friends.

"We've been friends for a long, long, long time," said Stratton.

Baird came to Deluca Field, home of the Brakettes, 65 years ago and really never left. When he was the team's general manager, the Brakettes won nine ASA national titles and 12 WMS championships.

"He saved them from extinction twice and we wouldn't be here without Bob Baird and his good friend John Stratton," said Baird.

As he got older, Baird beat leukemia twice. It was a recent lung disease that took his life on New Year's Eve. He was 75.

"We kept a bedside vigil and maybe 15 of us sang him to sleep. What can you do?" said Rob Baird.

Baird worked every job at DeLuca Field, most recently running the 50-50 raffle.

Calling hours are Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Dennis and D'Arcy Abriola and Kellemen Funeral Home on Main Street in Stratford.

The funeral is Friday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace in Lordship.