Another year brings another birthday, and playing baseball becomes that much harder. But getting older isn't all bad. Consider these ten good things about playing into "old age."
(10) Your arm doesn't hurt anymore. (I can no longer throw hard enough to do damage.)
(9) Over the years, you've gotten to know all of the other old-timers in the league. (Now, if I could only remember their names.)
(8) Nasty comments from opposing players no longer bother you. (My hearing isn't what it used to be.)
(7) A swing and a miss no longer hurts your confidence. (Now it only hurts my back.)
(6) Your uniform no longer reeks of sweat by the end of the game. (Now it reeks of "old-person smell.")
(5) You always get sinking action on your fastball. (Witness the unexpected benefit of the sub-45mph pitch.)
(4) You don't have to keep the scorebook. (The print is just too small to read.)
(3) You can still fit into your uniform pants from 2004. (I now call them my "compression pants.")
(2) Your family attends every game. (They want to be there when the ambulance carts me away.)
(1) You lead a truly blessed life! (Every time I tell an opposing player how old I am, all they can say is, "God bless you.")
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Monday 8th of February 2021 11:29:45 PM
No, 68 isn't old when you're the phenomenally AGELESS Jim K. You haven't changed one iota in the 17 years that I've known you. And, after all these years, I still bail out at the plate when I see you coming sidearm with that big sweeping deuce! Many thanks, Jim! FM
Bobby, thank you so much! An icon? Gosh, I'm blushing. (And all along I thought I was merely an iconoclast!). I am truly fortunate to have gotten to know so many wonderful people, like you, in this league. I look forward, as always, to seeing you on the field. Until then, warmest regards to you and your family. FM
Frank you started the pitch like it was a fast ball down the middle yet ended with curving it just a bit. Happy b'day. Stay safe and continue to bring your joy to the diamond.
Thanks, Don, for describing my top tens in the way you did ("you started the pitch like it was a fast ball down the middle yet ended with curving it just a bit")--when you could have just as easily used one word: "screwball."
Let me just add that a lot of that joy I bring to the diamond can be attributed to the the honor and privilege I've had of playing with and against you, Donny. Wiseacres like me come and go, but there will never be another Don Wixon, the toughest, grittiest, most competitive human being I know.
That's quite a compliment coming from an accomplished wordsmith like you. Thanks! We all bring what we can to our precious CDMSBL, and I'm grateful that there's a forum in which I can share my random musings. Considering all the positive feedback I've gotten on this piece, maybe I should quit while I'm ahead--especially as I am so seldom ahead!
Thanks also for having been a valued and memorable part of the Cougar experience! When age brings wisdom, as it has with you, there is little reason to regret one's bygone youth.
