Jay Miranda’s lesson to us all, despite his own challenges, was life is a true treasure: Enrietto
A smile comes to my face when I think about Jay Miranda — probably because a smile never left his.
Miranda died Thursday of complications from diabetes at age 60. He was more than a dedicated family man. He was dedicated to his community. This guy didn’t just enjoy life. He treasured it.
Just being around the man made you feel good about being alive.
A 1983 graduate from Butler High School, Jay became known around Butler as the public address announce of Pullman Park, where he was the voice of high school and Butler BlueSox games for 25 years. He did announcing for Butler wrestling matches from 2004-23 and was president of Butler elementary youth wrestling for six years.
He handled the microphone at Art Bernardi Stadium for Golden Tornado football games from 2009-21.
All that is well and good, but the story behind the man behind the microphone reveals who Jay Miranda was.
He got into announcing sporting events years ago in Center Township, when one of his sons was playing for a baseball team in the Center Township Athletic Association. Jay wanted the boys on the ballfields to feel special, so he decided to bring a microphone to the games and introduce each kid as he came to the plate.
In Jay’s own words, “I wanted them to feel like big leaguers.”
He found joy witnessing accomplishments of area youths in athletics. He relished watching Knoch rise up and claim the WPIAL and PIAA baseball championships in 2015. He saw the Butler BlueSox reach the Prospect League championship series one year, playing in front of a packed house at Pullman Park.
He once told me his dream was seeing Butler football return to championship form and play winning football again. It’s strange Jay died only a couple of weeks after the Tornado clinched their first winning season, concluding a 7-3 season Friday, since 1998.
While Jay was serving his community at public venues, he waged his own private fight against the affects of diabetes.
He underwent two major heart operations. He had all of his toes amputated, lost a finger, had a leg amputated.
Motivated by the love of family and a passion for being at the ballpark, Jay kept on going. The year the BlueSox made the league finals, Jay underwent a major heart procedure.
Whatever physical setbacks he endured during the fall or winter, his goal was to always return to the microphone in time for baseball in the spring.
And he always did, until this year.
After his toes were amputated, Jay wore shoes with extensions inside so he could walk with the aid of a cane. He said he wasn’t going to be in a wheelchair until it was absolutely necessary.
That day came when his leg was amputated. Yet, he still came to the ballpark, aided by his wife, Tina, who stayed with him while he called the games.
Jay was on dialysis since 2010. Those treatments simply became part of his daily schedule. Get it done, get on with life.
Eventually, Jay realized his health issues prevented him from getting to the ballpark. He stepped down as public address announcer at Pullman Park in March.
A service will be held from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home Downtown.
We should all learn from him. Next time you have a rough time at work, a spat with your significant other or a bad day in general, think of Jay Miranda.
Guaranteed, you’ll feel better about things.
I’m certain of one thing.
Wherever he is now, that smile is still on his face.
John Enrietto was sports editor of the Butler Eagle from 1997-2024.
