Lewie, I listened to your interview with Effectively Wild and loved it although I did start tearing up a bit at work. I'm a (smalltime) musician and music industry person so many of the same feelings and thoughts are ones that bounce around my head daily especially the past couple years. I'm not sure if I'm going to leave/scale back my passion/career but I appreciate your insight.
Many... correct that... most do not leave their position in pro baseball on their terms... they get pushed out. You are spot on... the job can become your identity. It's a demanding profession where the family and friends sacrifice greatly. My time in pro ball was a blessing... enjoyed most every minute of it for all of the reasons you cited. I wanted to get their as a player... wasn't in the cards... I found another way. After I was "cut loose" after the '11 season I chose to go a different direction... much like my younger days I found a way to stay involved with the game I love... and improve the quality of my family life... and make a good living doing so. I do miss some things about working in MLB... the people... working with elite performers every day... being that close to the game played at the highest level and watching those I worked with perform every night... all of the emotions that go into a full day in Pro Ball... winning and losing with the TEAM every night... I miss that... but looking back... I was ready for something different... the game was changing and so was i... my family's needs... my needs too. Great read Lew... thanks for sharing
Leaving baseball for you was very similar to leaving teaching for me. Thank you for putting all of those thoughts and feelings into words so eloquently.
Lewie, POTUS is still on the table. Commissioner can also be on hold. Mac and cheese was always for me but it soured toward the end. Follow your dreams, don’t wait to retirement. There is so much available out there. You deserve to be able to change course and just be a fan. Good luck and I will always be in your corner.
You’ve captured the words right out of mind Lewis. Thank you for this.
Lewie, I listened to your interview with Effectively Wild and loved it although I did start tearing up a bit at work. I'm a (smalltime) musician and music industry person so many of the same feelings and thoughts are ones that bounce around my head daily especially the past couple years. I'm not sure if I'm going to leave/scale back my passion/career but I appreciate your insight.
Many... correct that... most do not leave their position in pro baseball on their terms... they get pushed out. You are spot on... the job can become your identity. It's a demanding profession where the family and friends sacrifice greatly. My time in pro ball was a blessing... enjoyed most every minute of it for all of the reasons you cited. I wanted to get their as a player... wasn't in the cards... I found another way. After I was "cut loose" after the '11 season I chose to go a different direction... much like my younger days I found a way to stay involved with the game I love... and improve the quality of my family life... and make a good living doing so. I do miss some things about working in MLB... the people... working with elite performers every day... being that close to the game played at the highest level and watching those I worked with perform every night... all of the emotions that go into a full day in Pro Ball... winning and losing with the TEAM every night... I miss that... but looking back... I was ready for something different... the game was changing and so was i... my family's needs... my needs too. Great read Lew... thanks for sharing
Good blog Lewie
This was really good, thanks for sharing
Leaving baseball for you was very similar to leaving teaching for me. Thank you for putting all of those thoughts and feelings into words so eloquently.
Lewie, POTUS is still on the table. Commissioner can also be on hold. Mac and cheese was always for me but it soured toward the end. Follow your dreams, don’t wait to retirement. There is so much available out there. You deserve to be able to change course and just be a fan. Good luck and I will always be in your corner.
I was trying to decide if you were throwing the high heat, a splitter, sinker or curve. Then I realized - a change up! Hit by the pitch!!