In an earlier posting, I said I looked forward to playing this season. When I wrote that, I did.
But I've changed my mind and decided not to play this year. It would have been my 23rd straight in the league.
After reading and thinking more about Covid-19, I realized that at my age, 73, (and any age I'd guess), it's just too easy to catch the virus, and then, the hard kicker, take it home. And after that, maybe, bring it back to the field. Options I don't like.
Of course, the virus can be caught anywhere, the market, the gas station, walking my dogs, but my wife and I are trying fairly hard to quarantine ourselves and reduce contact.
I hope that it's far harder, now, to catch the virus than I imagine. The state says we're safer. It's encouraging that we've entered New York's Phase III plan with Phase IV coming soon. Encouraging, too, is the reduced count on infection numbers.
Worrisome is what's happening elsewhere in the country.
Some pharmaceutical labs are saying we could have a vaccine by the new year. Let's hope.
I told myself that the start of the 2021 season is only ten months away. If I'm smart, a debatable proposition, I'll use the time to repair flaws that were so obvious playing for the spirited and in many ways, terrific, 45 Grays last season (flaws like hitting one ground-ball out after another; or being a tad wilder on the mound than I'd have liked). If we have the vaccine and if I keep this old set of bones jangling, then playing at 74 is not an unthinkable proposition.
I tell myself that that path, playing at 74, is one that others, Red Rudliwicz, Jerry Hawkins, Bill Kervan and Jim Bouton among them, have trod. Probably Minnie Minoso, too. Fine models all.
My very best to each of you.
-Mike
-- Edited by mikehart on Friday 3rd of July 2020 04:36:02 PM
I'm sure that it wasn't an easy decision to make. You will be missed. I wouldn't have guessed you are 73. You have a talent and a passion that many younger people don't. It's been a pleasure competing against you. You were always prepared and enthusiastic. I hope that you're able come back next year, stronger than ever. In the meantime, consider being a roving reporter. Your photos and game summaries would be welcomed.
Jim - thanks so much. That's very kind of you. I will miss the game and you all, big time, and who knows? I might haunt the field a time or two to see if you're still up to snuff, take a few pictures of ball players wearing masks.
And if some smart (soon to be rich) guy in a lab coat develops a vaccine within a month, then, who knows? Maybe I'll make the last game and keep my string alive?
Until then, I plan to work on that geezer pitch, the knuckler.
Hey Mike. Sorry to hear your streak of seasons in the CDMSBL might be in jeopardy. I know you take some teasing for finding 100 ways to say a 10-word sentence, but you are truly one of the good guys in this league who make it special. Keep the player profiles coming; I have enjoyed reading them, as I'm sure others have. Hopefully, things settle down and you will have a chance to come to the ballpark with a glove, bat, spikes and your trademark jug of lemon water.
Hey Ralph & Tim - thank you both for your kind comments.
Ralph, I never thought I'd say this, but already I miss seeing your fastball coming my way. In the past, it was more that I just missed it.
Tim, you're absolutely right about them lonnnnnng sentences. I'm with you on things settling, on squashing that bug. Here's hoping it happens fast. I'd take next week if they had the vaccine.
Meanwhile, I'm reading some baseball and I've discovered that Hoyt Wilhem, the Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher, did two things which appealed to me: he could throw the knuckler sidearm, and he pitched till he was 49. Geezerdom and knucklers may go together, yes? I hope to find out.
I just looked at the rosters of everybody in the 55s. Two thoughts: first, I wish everyone a good, healthy season. And second, yikes! I realized I don't know about a third of the players. That's got to change. Ten months till next season.
Time to drink some lemon water. Cheers to you both and to you all.
