We always knew Dan Estey was special.

He was a hard worker, well liked, could find a tournament tent and also could paint the outside corner of the plate.

He was respected by players when he visited Connorvale Park in Etobicoke, Clarkson Park in Mississauga, Dave Dash Memorial Field in Brampton, Oakville Park in Oakville, Nelson Park in Burlington, the Milton Sports Complex in Milton and George Taylor Field in St. Catharines.

Yet, the real admiration would begin when players from Etobicoke Rangers, Mississauga SouthWest Twins, Brampton Royals, Oakville A’s, Burlington Brants, Milton Red Sox and Niagara Metros would visit Greg Cranker Field to play the Erindale Cardinals.

Early arrivals would be see Estey’s No. 5 helping Cranker wet down the infield. Then, he would drag the infield sitting on the tractor like Hoss Cartwright. Next No. 5 could be spotted in the bullpen raking the mounds.

And a few innings later he’d be in the same bullpen warming up and then in the game. After the handshakes and maybe “stopping for one” his day was over? Not quite. He’d open up the laptop and do all the updates on the Central Ontario Association web site. He’d write up the weekly wrap for his league and send it in to us and we’d eventually post.

It was easy to see how he earned the nickname “Mule.”

A lot of work like this is done by people around amateur sandlots diamonds. And almost all of it is overlooked by many players who arrive to see the first and third base lines laid and the bases down ... thinking “I’m here. Let’s go!”

Kudos to the COBA Major bosses as they harnessed the Mule and presented Estey with the Executive of the Year award at the annual league awards banquet.

“Pretty much came out of left field as I had no clue I would even be considered for (the award) as I am still an active player in the league and was told I am the first active player to receive this honor,” Estey posted on Facebook, which Cranker tells me “is about to catch on.”

“While I’m not a huge one for stuff like this, as we have the hardest working managers in Canada, I am truly grateful for this recognition from the league,” Estey wrote discussing his work on the COBA website and social media.

A transplant from Fredericton, Estey expressed deepest gratitude to the league executives, managers, and players for “this extremely humbling honor.” He thanked the players who have played and continue to play in the COBA major league.

“It is one of the best in Canada for a reason and it makes my job enjoyable even with the long hours,” wrote Estey.

Estey is a modern-day Ted Reeve. He competes and then he writes about the games.

Reeve blocked an attempt at a game-winning field goal in an early Grey Cup. He returned to the office to write:

“When I was young and in my prime

I used to block field goals all the time

Now that I am old and grey

I only block them once a day.”