"Matt Capps sometimes talks with his father, but mostly he just listens. The lessons Mike Capps imparted to his son before he passed away last October are still there. During his toughest days, Capps can hear his dad telling him, "Nobody said it was going to be easy." During his best days, Capps hears, "Somebody has to be the best."

At once, Capps believes his father is with him and also knows he is not. Capps spoke over the telephone with his father every day, usually more than once.

His father's absence hits him hardest at his most joyful moments. Last Sunday, when Capps made the National League all-star team, he did not think first about the hardships he overcame in his career or what the achievement meant. He thought about how badly he wanted to call his father.

On Tuesday, Capps will represent the Washington Nationals in the All-Star Game, in Anaheim, Calif. Players across the National League anointed him one of the best closers in the game months after the Pittsburgh Pirates did not tender him a contract, months after he sat in a quiet cabin in North Carolina with his wife Jen and decided, late Christmas night, he would play for the Nationals. "