As you may have heard, I suffered a broken leg awaiting to turn a double play in a 55s game last week and am going to be laid up for the better part of the summer. I had surgery on Thursday where they inserted a plate and screws to support the broken fibula, reset the ankle and repair some ligament damage.
I am writing this note, not for sympathy or attention, but rather to share with all of you how lucky I feel I am to be in this great league for the past 11 years. Yesterday, I received a get well card and a hand-written letter from Glenn Rugen of the Americans. He has been agonizing over being the person who broke my leg, as he was the person who slid into second on the play. I was truly moved by the kindness of this gesture, and it reinforced my belief that Im surrounded by some of the classiest people Ive ever met right here in this league.
The bottom line is that it was my fault for not bailing out sooner -- something my coaches taught me at a very young age: catch the ball, get rid of it and get the hell out of there. I figure I have played nearly 400 games of baseball since the age of 50 in the CDMSBL, and have been blessed to have been healthy enough to play it with passion and reckless abandon (I may reconsider the reckless part). Its my first broken bone in 61 years on this earth, and it happened playing the game I love. When you play alongside teammates like Tom Bradley and Matt Kelley real heroes -- you are reminded every single game just how good you have it.
So, count your blessings the next time you throw on that jersey and tie up your cleats. It wont last forever, so savor the memories and the friendships you build each and every game. As I told my Damn Yankees teammates, you can take me out of baseball, but you cant take the baseball out of me. Ill be back.
-- Edited by adtimbrown on Tuesday 16th of May 2017 11:26:14 AM
So sorry to hear about your injury! The Yankees aren't the only ones that will miss you while you heal, and rehab. We all will miss your presence. Your sportsmanship and class make it a real pleasure playing with you or against you! Heal quickly my friend! Hope to see you come playoff time!
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I feel your pain about being out for most, if not all this season. I'm out also, due to a torn left rotator cuff injury with subsequent surgical repair in late March. I did it sliding into home in a Florida tournament in November. Get well soon. Everyone will miss seeing your excellent skills and the class act you bring to the league. See you back on the field.
Sorry to hear about your injury Tim. Like every other poster is saying, the games are better when you are playing. If there is a bright side, you have great musical talent and hopefully your guitar will help you during your recovery. Maybe I could stop by and we could work on some Rolling Stones songs together!
Tim -I learned about your injury today at the Yankees-Peppers game. Your team won, 12-2, but your loss was felt by both sides. Your teammates and the Peppers said the same thing, "What rotten luck" for you, and "Heal fast."
The same could be - and will be - said to Bob Yakatan, hard luck, and heal fast, Bob.
You both likely know that there are in-season comebacks, even in geezer baseball. The guys you mentioned, Tim, are back. They played very well tonight. If you look around the division, you'll see more than a few fellows who are stitched and pinned together still making plays.
You two will come back and we hope it's soon. This helped me when I nearly lost the 2010 season. I kept thinking of Satchel Paige's great line: "Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you." In short, look forward, go forward.
So for both of you, it's forward. Take an extra step or an extra swing of a dumbbell each day. You'll come around.
And when you do, that'll be good for us all.
-Mike
-- Edited by mikehart on Wednesday 17th of May 2017 01:41:18 AM
Damn Tim , I developed a new pitch just for you , since you hit me so good! Guess ill have to wait till your get back at it . Ill call it the Tim Brown Cuban Fork ball . See you on the feild and keep the faith . John L.
Make the most of the unexpected sabbatical and enjoy your Sundays doing what "normal" people do.
You always had the longest drive to our games, but we'd never know it. From the upbeat attitude stretching to welcoming infield practice, to a consistent explosive first step out of the box, almost boringly (lol) consistent.
When you're on the field, you make your teammates better ballplayers. Hope you can have as much fun, in the short term, not being around middle aged men in tight pants.
Hang in there my friend ~ you will be ok, no matter the outcome...
Gonna miss ya and certainly expect you'll be back ~ but as you say, who ever really knows...
I like Tommy's approach and yes indeed >>> enjoy your wife and your Summer Sunday's doing whatever Girrard does now or something!
lol...
Maybe go to church and light a candle for me too ~ will ya ~ I need it!
And yeah, try not to dream about "middle aged men in tight pants"???
Unless you like that sorta thing, then have at it buddy!
And know you are missed over in Voorhessville, NY on Sunday afternoon's...
The air itself will be different there this year with no you and/or Girrard there...
Change is a comin, eh?
All the best and seriously, get well soon...
And get back between those lines!
Just heard about the injury from Tommy Mane....So sorry to hear about it and without writing a long drawn out note I will call you and check in...to a speedy recovery and a faster return to the diamond
