This is not something I do very well, but I'm going to give it a shot. I first met Fred Phillips several years ago while playing with Jim Dalton's Knights-Fordians team. We had a few off-schedule games at Waterford-Halfmoon HS, and Fred joined us from time to time to fill out the roster. My first impression of Fred was...here is a ballplayer. The man could hit a ton, and even in these scrimmage games that meant little or nothing, he was out there to win. He also had a quick smile and a handshake ("Hello, there, young man" is a standard Fred P greeting) that said "I'm happy to be playing ball today and delighted that you could join me!"
He was almost always accompanied by a very small and boisterous blonde woman who laughed and cheered his every move. No real surprise when I found out they were newlyweds. Although I certainly heard every word she said, I didn't have a lot of contact with Susie until one night in Kingston when she came up to me after a tough loss to the Hummin'birds (one of many I've endured), and with barely a "Hello, my name is Susan Phillips," broke down my swing, and told me what I was doing wrong at the plate. Funny thing. She was right, and I got a couple of hits the next game, and the game after that!
It really didn't take long for Fred & I to realize we were kindred spirits on and off the field, and when I introduced my wife, Lorie, to Susie, it really became a friendship for the long haul. We have spent many Sundays watching football at Fred's house, and the two of them have been frequent guests in Clifton Park eating pizza, watching movies, drinking Coke Zero, and talking about what we might do to make the CDMSBL a better league.
We've been teammates. We've been on opposite sides of the field. But, we've always been the best of friends. And, now, just as Fred has something really good going with the Nolan Propane Cardinals of the 55+ division, we find out that he's being transferred to South Carolina, and Susie will join him at the end of the summer. It's a great move for the two of them, a much-deserved promotion with more $$ and more responsibility with CSX, but it's more than a little sad for those of us who will be left behind.
I will miss my friend. I will miss Sundays in the fall listening to him cheer on the Patriots while I'm fumbling with the laptop trying to keep up with the Buccaneers. I will miss Susie's Thanksgiving dinners and her one-of-a kind laugh. If you've never heard it, you should. It's...unique. My wife Lorie will certainly be diminished without her (mis)adventures with Susie, like Trash Day in Clifton Park. They actually have gone out--flashlights in hand--late at night looking for treasures our neighbors have tossed out. You would need to see it to believe it. Oh. And, the next time you see me at the field, ask me about the time Susie gave a tai chi performance along U.S. 7 in Bennington County, Vermont. I swear to God it's a true story.
I will miss watching Fred uncork his swing and send a line drive up the gap in right-center field. How many times I've wished I could hit the ball as hard as he does. Here is a man who plays the game the way it should be played, and we as individuals and as a league are better off for having had the opportunity to watch him and shake his hand after a tough game.
Good luck, Fred. Albany's loss is South Carolina's gain. Be well.
See. I told you saying goodbye is not something I'm very good at.
Not good news at all for the CDMSBL! Fred and Susie have become fixtures in this league. We will all miss them both and the smiles that they bring with them where ever they go! We wish Fred and Susie well in their new adventures in South Carolina. It won't take the two of you long to make new friends. We hope you will come back and visit us when you can. You know the website address. Keep in touch!
It is hard to describe the depth of the emotions we both feel about this. Read's post touched us immensely.
This move is bittersweet. We will be getting away from the NY taxes, high cost of living, and long, snowy winters; getting a raise; being close to the beach; and playing a lot more golf.
But, it is difficult to leave people who mean something. People who have shared the good and the bad times: holiday dinners and day long excursions to where-ever; silly stuff and important stuff. We have wonderful friends here. We play baseball here. We know wonderful people here who have not shared holiday dinners or day long excursions but whom we know would be at our door in an instant if we needed them. This is the hardest part: leaving the people we know.
We want our friends to know how much they mean to us. Distance cannot diminish the friendships. It can only interfere with the ability to be close by.
We did work hard to bring the Nolan Propane Cardinals into the league. Under the new management of Jimmy LaTorre and Skippy Lyons, we will continue to have a great season.
Fred has to report on the 30th of May. I will be staying for the summer to handle the house and a family matter. I will continue to do the website and play with the Nolan Propane Cardinals.
Your smiles are infectious and your personalities beautiful. Your caring and dedication to CDMSBL will also be missed . Thanx Sue and Fred. Godspeed to both of you. JimmyK
