I don't know how long we have had a bulletin board but I know it has been awhile. This will be my first post ever. I wanted to do this two weeks ago but it has taken me this long to figure out why my "pending member" sign in was taking so long.
A few weekends ago the 45 division was engaged in playoff fever with doubleheaders and in some cases tripleheaders abounding. My team, the Blue Jays, were scheduled to play one, two or possibly three games if we kept winning. One problem was that our top catcher was in Washington and would not be there until sometime that afternoon. Our #2 catcher was scheduled to pitch the first game. I actually thought I was going to have to put on the gear, something I hadn't done in years. But no, wait. Here comes our dedicated manager, Tom Bradley insisting on catching! Tom, an all-star caliber catcher, would normally have been our starter all year if not for some major health issues this season. HIPA laws prevent me from going into detail but many of you are aware of the challenges he has faced this year. Though other than when he had his surgery, I don't believe he missed a game all season. He stepped in to take over managing duties when we unexpectedly lost our previous manager just prior to the start of the season. But getting back to the game, we were all concerned about his health as he took the field. Not only did he catch seven innings he caught two more as we went into extra innings! Since we won that game and our other catcher had not yet arrived, Tom continued this incredible performance for three more innings until finally relieved. To witness this took away any thought of complaining of being tired or sore though we were. It was the most inspiring display I have seen in my twenty-five years in this league and I've seen a few. It was an honor and pleasure to play for him this season.
Prayers and well wishes for your continued recovery Tom.
Honorable mention to Jim Wing of the Marlins who caught a tripleheader that day on two bad legs that day.
Chris A.
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Proverbs 3:5-6New King James Version (NKJV)
5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
www.copsforchristny.com
Nice post Chris... it got me to thinking about the mentality so many of us share in this league, and the extremes we go through to get back on the field....
I've seen so many teammates, and opponents alike, battling their ailments, scheduling surgeries, pitching scarily soon after stents have been implanted in their arteries, even learning to throw with their opposite arm, just to stay on the diamond!! All for the love of the game...no glory, no big salaries ...hell most big-leaguers wont even dive for a ball on the advise of an agent, especially in their contract year..
As he demonstrated this year Tom is a gamer for sure so that should serve him well with his current health situation. My best recollection "and worst" experience with Tom is when the Cubs tried to run on him in a game at Bob Moore and he threw out three straight Cubs...we finally got the message. The Cubs are with you Tom and I'm sure the whole league is as well and we all look forward to seeing you on the field with us next year.
chris - glad you were able to get onto the bulletin board. for a first writing, it's perfect.
i've known tom for three years now, and he's always impressed me with his demeanor and playing ability. but this year, with his humane and even-keeled approach to his illness, he's impressed me more than ever. your story of his catching only adds to that. here's hoping that means his strength is coming back in a rush.
and thanks to jon and jim for their thoughts and recollections. both are on target.
each year, i find new reasons, including the comments above, to be glad i'm in this league.
Just to clear things up a bit, Tom attended every game as manager. This was the FIRST game he caught all year. I was worried and asked a few times if he was ok, as did other members of the Jays. That day, I could care less if we won or lost, I was just proud to be on the same field with such a dedicated man.
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We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.
Well stated Pat Alston. Tom is among the stand-up guys in the league and an inspiration to all of us. Puts the game in perspective as have so many other tragedies suffered by CDMSBL members.
