I'd like to thank my teammates and league members for their words of encouragement and well wishing. I am truly amazed at the email from current and former teammates and league members concerned about my health after suffering a heart attack.
I am doing well and with the grace of God and following doctor's instruction hope to return soon. I would like to take the time to stress the fact that all of us starting with the 18 year olds up to the 55's to take care of ourselfs and submit to some form of annual checkup including a EKG.
The league has provided a means for us to play in the elder years of our lifes by expanding divisions from young to old, with many of us playing in both older and younger divisions during the season. I myself would to play to the rip old age of 70 or more like former league member "Red" who played with the Blue Thunder in the 45 division at the young age of 73 and was still competetive.
So please take care of yourself and again thank you and I hope you all remember that the "Boys of Summer" of this league are special in that they are truly good friends for life.
This is the first I heard of this and I'm so glad that your on your way back. Get well soon and get back in the batters box. I guess the older we get and play older these type of things will happen and we hear of our fellow ballplayers who we never expect will have health issues, especially how well they play, like yourself.
Glad to hear you are doing well. With the work that they have done on your ticker, you will soon be better than before! That is a scary thought for all of the opposition out there. Needless to say: if you or December need anything, please call me and Martina @ (518) 371-5089. Hope to see you soon Pal!!!
Glad to hear you are doing well Skip - get back soon - we need Dee's vocal enthusiasm at the games as well!!
As for Red - I had the pleasure of being his teammate on the Jim Jordan coached Braves. He is still has the most amazing assist recorded .. playing 2nd base, he camped under a "towering" infield fly, only to have the ball come down upon his head, and eventually land in the glove of the first baseman, some 30 feet away for the putout!! That maybe a little harder for you in centerfield but....
Good old "Red" was playing first base and I was pitching. I caught the ball while Red cursed it. He wiped away the blood and went on with the game. One other factoid, Red's real name was Adolph (and he went to high school in lower Manhattan with Whitey Ford!) Those were the days!
It appears you're on the mend. Great news! I'd have to rank you as possibly the best center fielder that I ever saw play in this league in my 10 yrs in CDMSBL. On another note, I have to confirm Don Burriesci's response about Red, since it was a game against the Pirates. Red was at 1st base, and as Jonny said, it bounced about 30ft to the edge of the mound and Don caught it. With blood dripping down Red's face he refused to go the bench as urged by his teammates. He shrugged it off as just a scratch in his mind. Hard head, and hard headed decision of a guy at 70 yrs of age in a 38 league, who would not be denied the opportunity to play.
Skip
Word travels quickly out here in California....Although i would much rather be there i can tell you my heart skipped a beat....(that was so cliche...OMG!!) when i heard of the heart attack but knowing you and the heart you have and the type of person you are on and off the field i was comfortable with the email reports and watching Jimmy K and Mike G provide the up dates and seeing Ralph and Sue in Vegas it allowed me to stay close to the situation...
I have had such a great time with you ,Dee and the guys in florida and when i come home i am truly thankful this has come to pass...Best wishes for a complete and better than ever Skip!! Will see you on the field.
i am getting my knee replaced and i told Tommy Mane that i may resume stealing bases when i get back...My last stolen base was in 1968 in Little league though....:) which way is second base????
looking forward to hear more updates on your speedy recovery
tp5
