Now that my team has been eliminated from the playoffs I guess this is as good a time to announce after 18 years it's time to hang em' up. As one of two remaining members of the original 30 + Senior Mens Baseball league (Dennis Scimeca being the other) we started back in 1989 with just four teams, Grecos, Pega, Senators, and Has Beens. Surprisingly these were very competitive teams with many ex minor leaguers, Twilight league, college, and a few good former high school players. After a year several new teams were added and we joined up with MSBL National to become the CDMSBL that we are today.
I will miss the challenge, the competition, and most important the comradarie which is just as important as the game itself. It's time. The wheels has been coming off for the last number of years making running and playing more difficult which affects ones play. When an old horse can't run any longer they usually send him out to pasture. In my case the pasture will be a golf course where running is not required and I'll swing at a stationary ball. Maybe I'll catch one of you guys out there. Just look in the woods, I'll be looking for my ball.
After the Florida tournament which I always looked forward to ... That will be it.
I feel blessed that I was able to find out about this league in 1989 and never dreamed I would be playing ball again after basically 20 years away from the game ....and to play for 18 years!
I've met a lot of good friends over the years and knew a few very good ballplayers and real nice guys who left us prematurely. It's been fun.
I wish you all much health and success on the field as well as in life. Dennis, keep it going... your the last.
Artie, I wish you the best and hope all your drives find the middle of the fairway and all your putts find the bottom of the cup. You baffled me many times when you were on the mound and I wish you good luck and good health Mario
Now everyday can be the start of a new season!! Good luck Artie. Thanks for all your effort in putting together the Florida teams. I know alot of folks gave you some grief but if it wasn't for your efforts there would be a lot less memories and fewer good times.
Say it ain't so Artie. You have been a joy to be on the field with for the past several years Artie. Always one of the good guys. If a team was short on players or even just for some pick-up games prepping for the Florida runs you could always count on Artie. You will be missed.
It was a pleasure to have you as a Pepper for the last half of this season and our little playoff run. I'm certainly glad that you called me back in July to come aboard.
Good luck and we will undoubtedly see you playing as a sub for us or anyone else who calls.
You know, one of the things I've learned over the past years -- and it came as something of a surprise to me -- was that baseball needs its CHARACTERS. You can't have a roster that's too homogenized. The game itself seems to require colorful individuals, giving a wide-armed embrace to all types and comers. That's why the Pirates miss Jimmy Jordan so much; he was a lunatic. Always surprising, always fresh, sometimes a pain in the ass, and like no one else in the world. Somehow it's this diverse collection of personalities that make a team.
That's how I feel about you, Artie. You are a true original -- and you made every game a little more interestiing and whole lot better.
Forget the wheels, Artie. The arm is still strong, as well as able and willing. If it's just the wheels, call Balco! Somehow, I see you back on the bump baffling hitters in the 55+. But if not, always remember the good times; there were lots of them in the 9 years I've been around CDMSBL. Kalinikta! JimK
JimK is right, the arm is still good, you've K'd me in the past with your "stuff". It was nice playing with you and against you. Good luck and God Bless.
Pat Alston
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We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.
Thanks for playing all these years. You have been a significant presence in the league for a long time.
This is the time of year that we really feel how old we are, and thoughts of ending the run come up. There are guys out there that are going through significant pain and restriction to play, let alone the regular life sacrifices that go with baseball. It is the love of the game that keeps them going. I contemplate quitting all the time, especially as I limp back to the bench so a pinch runner takes my place. I have heard many good ballplayers tell me "this is it." Randy Craft has retired three times that I know of. Dougie Z keeps trying to quit too. I still think he should give us the retirement bat back. I even had a conversation with Tom Maney about hanging them up. I was sure I would never hear that. I guess having his arm fly out of the socket on a throw from short stop caused him to think.
I hope you change your mind and that nobody gives you grief about posting your retirement if you come back.
Artie - 18 years is a long time - as my body will also attest... through it all - the winning, the losing - the ups and downs (I choose to accentuate the ups) the injuries and surgeries, there's always been a common factor with most of us - a passion for the game... on the filed you were a serious competitor... and off the filed you've given many of us memoeries to last a lifetime... who can ever forget Kenny Pick sticking his head out the car window yelling "Artie - I'm going to kill you!" as we were riding around Tarpon Springs at 11 pm looking for a Greek restaurant???... so here's to baseball and golf - hit em long and striaght... stay in good health... somehow I suspect you'll be back before long...
Artie, For the nine years I've played in the league, I don't know anyone who has shown as much class as you, as well as a pain to bat against. Good Luck, and thanks for representing our league the way it should be.
Artie - It was an absolute pleasure being your teammate the last 3 years. I wish you nothing but the best in your newest endeavor (golf). Keep in touch.
Thanks for all you have been in this league and thank you for all you did for the A's. You always took the game to heart and gave it your best. You were always there ready to go. Your arm took up a lot of quality innings in this league and your eye at the plate will never be matched. It is often said that you never took a strike (if it was called one it was because the ump missed it!).
All good-natured kidding aside, enjoy whatever you decide to do. I am glad to have had you with me on our teams.
You are definitely one of a kind. A great competitor, fun to be around and one who never takes himself too seriously. We all should remember to laugh at ourselves. My best memory is playing down in Florida with with you in 2002. How did we score 47 runs in 6 games and win only one? Oh yeah, is was our shortage of arms and the 2 losers for back up pitchers we got picked up there who swore they had good control. I don't think they could control their bladders let alone their pitches. It was a great time down there and we did find that Greek restaurant in Tarpon Springs you took us to. The food was very good but I think you had us order enough food for half of Athens. I wish you the best, it's been pleasure knowing you for the last 7 years.
