It is with great sadness to report the passing of a dear friend.
Doug Zmyewski passed on Sunday April 11th.
A longtime CDMSBL member, Doug will be remembered by all for his kindness, and sportsmanship. I believe Doug was the first member of our HOF. A big lefty hitter, Doug hit 2 home runs in our White Sox 1993 championship game.
Baseball bought us together in 1974, a Halfmoon Tigers tryout at Harris stadium. We threw each other B/P almost every week for 25 years.
Rest in Peace my friend. You are the sweetest person I have had the honor to call friend.
Damn! If you knew Doug, you know just how special a person he was. Tommy couldn't have said it better. A fierce competitor yet a sweet and gentle man. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
I got to know Doug a little, late in his CDMSBL career and was privileged to share some BP with him and Tom. I can't think of a nicer person that I've ever met from our league. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Doug was one of the first friends I made when I joined the league in '98. He was tall, about 6-2, I'd guess, with a medium build and long arms and legs, which were powerful. He was soft-spoken, very gentle, and thoughtful. In the several games we played together, he would always say let others bat high up, put me toward the end.
Which of course was crazy. For all his gentle qualities, his soft, blond features and voice, the guy could hit. First time I played against him, I was playing mid-right field for Adirondack Beverage, around 1998 at the Knick. I forgot who Doug was playing for. He had a smooth, long lefty's swing. First or second pitch in, he stretched those arms out and just as easy as you please cranked a homer to right. The ball was rising as it passed my head. It went well over the fence, past the sidewalk. It was one of the longest homers I've seen in the league.
Doug didn't get excited about it. He ran with ease, his head down, around the bases. I congratulated him afterwards. He thanked me, and then, typically, changed the topic to how well my teammates and I had played. I don't remember who won. In my eyes, Doug did.
This is a loss.
-Mike
-- Edited by mikehart on Saturday 17th of April 2021 04:13:45 PM
My sincerest condolences Tom. Doug was such a passionate ball player and took great pride in his swing. He was a great teamate and an integral part of our Sox team that you wanted to win every game for him. My heartfelt sympathies brother. I know much this must hurt. Love ya, Crafty
Thank you so much Crafty and all who responded on the post, as well in person to me. He is one of my oldest friends. I loved him dearly, and I still cant believe hes gone. I have never been so sure of anyone I loved that is going directly into heaven. Thank you all.
Heaven's gain is our loss. If our world was filled with people like Dougie Z. we would have the ever elusive peace on Earth. Prayers go out to his family, as our loss is multiplied for them. Godspeed Doug!
