This fall has brought departures from our 45+ league of significant players, Tom Maney and Mike Girard. It wont be the same league without them. They have been with the league basically from its inception and impressed us all with individual accomplishments, team championships, and friendships. The good news they are still playing in the 55+ league, and we are lucky to still have them around.
We are losing another league stalwart. Darnell Baker is moving to Florida to take care of his dad after this season with the Bombers. He plans to take up umpiring down south, and I am sure he will be great in blue. Darnell has been through more than a man should have to deal with, and he has held up with courage, grace and good will. Going South to take care of his dad is par for an impressive life course, which includes professional baseball and years of cdmsbl. He has been a pleasure to teammates and to opponents for a long time, never making lesser players uncomfortable with his exceptional abilities and accomplishments. He is a good man. It has been a privilege. Now, our loss.
right in the center of the mitt with all you say, jim.
i'm surprised and saddened to learn that darnell is leaving us. he's a really fine ballplayer and a better guy.
i tried hard last year to recruit darnell for the 55 peppers. and he said he wanted to join us, but his job kept him till 7 pm, which would have made it impossible to play games in the division. what a difference he would have made for us.
i know wherever he's going, he'll make a difference, too, a good one. but darnell, if you ever come back, you know you'll be welcomed again in the league, and, if fortune breaks over the center of the plate, with the peppers.
Life surely is tough and Darnell has handled his tragedies with calm and grace. Moving to Fla. to take care of his dad is an example of the man his mother and father brought up. Our loss is Florida's gain. Glad to know he'll still be involved in the game he loves. But, there are 45 and 55 divisions in Fla. as well. Umpiring can wait :)
