One of the five Marines killed in a plane crash in California on Wednesday was the son of former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Sax, who issued a statement on Saturday mourning his son.
Capt. John J. Sax, 33, was among the crew of an MV-22B Osprey that went down during a training flight, according to Sax.
He referred to his son as his "idol and the best man I know," since he had aspired to be a pilot.
"Those of you who knew Johnny saw his big smile, bright light, love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying planes and defending our nation," added the retired baseball pitcher.
"He was my hero and the best man I knew; no one could have defended our country better."
His son "knew he wanted to be a pilot when he was a child and would tell his father what types of planes were flying overhead while playing little league baseball in the outfield," he said.