Yeah Gang; Looking forward to the start of our 2008 season, and seeing everbody again!
As some of you may know Jim Ansel had hip replacement surgery on Monday. I spoke to Jim yesterday, and as I might have expected, he's up and about already, Chasing a nurse down the hall.
Please join me in wishing Jim a speedy recovery.
Jim, get out to the park when your up to it, and say hello.
God Bless old friend.
Tom
P.S; Sadly, the sprite young nurse eluded the good doctor, the lad dafly slipped into a stair well.
Jim . speedy recovery. opening day won't be the same without you. It'll be quieter...... but that ain't necesarrily a good thing! spin on by NS soons you can. JR
Get well soon Jim gonna miss your fire congrats for HOF wish I coulda been there,hope to see ya soon. Rest up my friend an God bless. your spot is waitin. Maybe when ya heal you can catch that nurse
Jim, you made my coming back much easier as I don't have to face your crafty pitching. I wish you speedy recovery and if Pete Gianellis is any inspiration you'll be back on the field just as he has after that type of surgery. All the best.
Jim - I hardly ever post....but wanted to you to know....in my opinion, and acquaintance with you that goes back to the start of the, (at that time over 40 Division), initiated by a bean ball that I called catching for the Red Sox with Westfall on the bump, and hard play (take out) at the plate, I have always respected your passion for the game.....since then with have shared "ticker" issues, and play as competitors. If I could find a word to describe what I have seen of you as an opponent and umpire in our games, it would be that you are a "WARRIOR"!....Two of my good umpire friends have gone the through the same procedure and are back 100%....stick to the rehab, and get back soon, as you examplify what our league is about.......Jim Dalton
Jim, Your missing the first part of the year leaves our team with a big hole. Not only on the mound and in the batters box, but more importantly, in spirit. We will miss your leadership until you return. I remember missing that year when I trashed my knee down at the Knick in the opening game of the season, and I know how you will feel as the games go on without you. Keep your chin up. Just work hard on the rehab and know that we will miss you until you are able to join us again. Godspeed with the recovery my FRIEND!
Thanks for wishing me well. I am already out of the hospital and doing well.
I am up against a very tough challenge now. I am giving up playing. And, the guys who are posting here are not making it any easier. I wish I could play. I miss it already. I will miss exerting myself for the guys on the field with me and facing eager, skilled competition. More than the games, more than the teams, I will miss the personalities and the interactions. I will miss the people who are pulling for me here, and have always pulled for me. I appreciate your thoughts and encouragement, and I will try to find a fitting place for baseball in my life.
I admit to chasing nurses, mostly females, Tom. Things can get pretty hazy with all that medication. Maybe one or two scurried away. The question is, did I catch any? It is like a batting average with these nurses. One for three ain't bad. I developed this move in the hospital, push the call button, describe relentless pain, get her to examine all the sensitive areas, then tell her how much she is helping me, ask her some personal questions about how good it is for her to be so sensitive and helpful, then grab her ass. I am still working on it. There may be a few kinks. It is sort of like a pitching sequence. You know, curve, change, knuckleball, then the high hard one. They never see that one coming when you have an IV in.
The game will never end. I hope you guys have the best year of baseball ever!!!!!!!
Jim - don't be too quick to write baseball off... I remember when I retired after my first knee surgery and and took a year off.. then the 45 division started and I came back to just pitch... then my second knee surgery which I made sure was done in the off season so I could play the next year... and here I am still pitching - and waiting for the right time for knee replacement... but I'm still playing!!! After you heal and rehab, you'll be able to compete - not perhaps in all three divisions, but complete nonetheless... hang in there and don't close the door on baseball too early.... somehow I suspect that like Artie's "retirement" you'll be back.... and we'll be wating for ya...
i am happy to hear that the surgery didnt affect the most important parts of your body...I am hoping that the surgery and rehab following will not deter you from coming out and playing again at some point....I know the hip replacement is a stop gap measure when all else has failed as my brother had the surgery last year and is at this writing playing again albeit not at the same speed but Jim who are we kidding here...Smile!@! Seriously though i think Tommy has had like as many surgeries as he has bones like 206 and i am not far behind him and we still waddle out there and play the game we love and have sincere passion for..I am planning on making the Labor Day tourney and how awesome would it be to have you on the hill in the championship game with the fellas going after what now 5 in a row...we allknow the game survives without us but it wont be the same without you in any level or capacity...I think i can say without a doubt that your HOF credential are without question some of the strongest in CDMSBL history and we all go way back to almost the beginning....I hope it isnt the end but if it is then going out as a HOF certainly lessens the blow...well deserved and a fitting tribute to a great player. its funny everyone wants you to come back and no one could hit you ....oh well...much love and a speedy and complete recovery my friend
seeing you at the banquet, I knew you were a resilient person, just can't figure how you didn't catch that nurse, jumping the wet floor sign must've slowed you down, I'm sure
Hey Jim, My mom recieved a hip replacement 3 yrs ago when she was 85. It took her 2 mos. to get back on the mound. She is back to throwing bb's in the over 80 softball league. Hope to see you on the mound soon . Get well quick! Take it easy on the ladies in white. Dan Maguire
None the less, I am intent on changing the lifestyle that I love; the same one that allowed me to have a fantastic baseball experience into my fifties, and the same one that lead to the disc injuries and the arthritis. Now, I want to take care of my body.
My immediate goals are to walk without a limp, to sleep through the night, to lay off the pain medications and anti-inflammatories, and to be able to excercise and have some fun while doing it. Extending myself in competitive athletics is not on that list, although I would like to see if there are roster spots open in the over-80 softball with Danny's mother on the hill, in case I am feeling particularly frisky this summer. Maybe I should bunt against her?
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. These posts mean a lot to me. They help this old coot deal with the "change of life". You guys are showing me what I am going to lose. I will miss the spirt and good will in our league.
I hope you all have a great year of baseball. I am anxious to stop out and see you play. Enjoy this great game, guys. Have a hoot!
Dan Maguire
