jim, you're joined in three respects: wishing bill well in his surgery, agreeing with you that billy is someone who's often a game-changer, and, implied in your posting, a fine (pain-absorbing) fellow (and generous too. he played for the travelin' peppers one summer's day at cooperstown, for which i'm still grateful.)
get better fast, bill. fortunately, with a meniscus repair that can happen. in general, the history of a quick recovery from the surgery is a good one: i tore the meniscus in my left knee in october, 2004: had surgery in late january and was playing in april. so the odds are good, you can be hitting more doubles come november. 'luck, bill.
-mike
-- Edited by mhart on Wednesday 25th of July 2012 01:04:22 AM
... Join me in wishing Bill Smith all the best as he undergoes surgery Wednesday to repair a torn maniscus. He will be out the rest of the season. With Bill catching, the Giants are off to a 10-1 start in the 45 Division. No one handles a pitching staff better than he does.
As the No. 4 hitter, Bill has helped the Whiz Kids win the 55 Division regular season with a 12-2 record with one game left. His stellar play at 3B and his clutch hitting show why he is a leader and one of the very best in the division. Fittingly, his last at-bat was a crushing 2-run double to the fence in left-center at New Scotland Tuesday night. He also pitched two shutout innings of relief despite the Whiz losing to the Cardinals.
His last catching assignment was going the distance Sunday in the Giants opening-game win that handed the Marlins their first loss of the season. Not to mention he went 2 for 4 with a key RBI in the 7-6 win. All on a torn maniscus that he couldn't take pain-killers for because of the pending surgery.
No coincidence that the two teams are a combined 22-3!
Let's hope he is ready for his annual trip to play in Florida in November. Good luck, Will! JimK
I have had the opportunity to get to know Billy as a teammate for the past 3 years. All the accolades he receives as a player are well deserved. I would also like to add that he is a true gentleman off the field too. Get well quickly, my friend, and I'll see you at a future cooler session. Jim Porter-WhizKids
Sorry to hear about the the torn meniscus. I don't think there are many guys that could play the way you did last night with that injury and no pain killers. That rocket in the gap last night victimized me in center and broke up the shutout. My hat's off to a great player, and great teammate in those two tournaments we played together in FLA. Best of luck.
Billy, to one of the class guys in the league, best of luck. We talked about all the surgeries we both had, now I have to get the same one as you after the season ends. Boy, are we lucky to be 60 or what!!!! Heal quick, and don't forget this November, getting that 55 over team together with Jimmy K and co.
