The Bookies Have Been Remaindered

This week, after five action-packed seasons in Central Park, I am very sad that the decision had to be made to disband the publishers corporate league softball team on which I have been playing. It was not an easy decision. Many of our core players are moving on to other pursuits, and we could only get commitments for the season from 4 players (for whom I have to express my appreciation for wanting to keep this going). While I'm sure that with nothing more than a pitcher, catcher, first baseman and centerfielder, the Writer's House Bookies would still be contenders... ??

This is personally bittersweet. I played for the Penguin Downtown (then, Viking) team in this league for 12 seasons from 1990 to 2002. Back then, we were allowed to have beer during games. We sometimes had execs showing up to cheer us on. We won a couple of championships. Once, I got to play third base while Stephen King played first base (he's tall, so I really loved having such an excellent target for my throws).

Then I took 12 years off to coach my children, Christina and Austin, in baseball and softball. When my old Viking teammate Al Araneo asked me for some help putting together a Writers House team, I was happy to be involved. As luck would have it, that was the year when I would no longer be coaching, and Al invited me to play if I wanted to. Thank God the team needed a pitcher because trying to come back at third or in center was NOT going to happen in my late 40s.

I really enjoyed coming back into the league. I could not believe how many guys were still playing on other teams who had been there during my original playing days. Some of these guys have logged 25 years or more as active players.

I had the great joy of playing alongside both Christina and Austin (and Christina's boyfriend Paul, and a couple of Austin's old high school and college teammates). I got to watch them hold their own against so many terrific, older players. But more importantly, this team welcomed my "kids" (Christina and Austin were high school seniors when they each joined), and made them a real part of the team. Some of the women (Amy Appel, Ashley Collum and Clare Reeth) connected with Christina quickly, and invited her into their overnights and Color Runs. The guys recognized in Austin a fierce competitor and teammate worthy of trading some of the finest trash-talk I've ever heard. Special thanks to our original manager/coach Kevin Meredith, Al, and the Writers House executives for allowing our family to have those moments.

[One time, last season, as I re-entered the final inning of a game to close it out, one of our players called me "Mo". As a Mets fan, I took exception. I told him to call me "Mo Famiglia" because I'd brought mo' famiglia onto the team than anyone other than our manager/coach Leslie Cohen.]

Once a coach, always a coach. That part of me was always proud of the team spirit and camaraderie of the Bookies. I enjoyed watching the experienced players warmly welcome newbies every season, including people with little-to-no experience, and then come together to help them learn and improve. I loved watching them all grow as players.

• I got to see Leslie go from rookie/newbie to stalwart hitter/courageous coach who always pushed us to perform at our best. She also became a terrific novelist and uber-Mom. Her husband (our teammate Dave Verbitsky) got a good one there. Leslie got a good one, too.
• I got to see Nora Long demonstrate the most unique swing I've ever seen, coupled with great timing, the most consistent ability to connect with a pitch, and literally bunt with a full swing. Watching her be underestimated by our opponents time-after-time, and seeing her get on base so often was terrific.
• I got to see rookie Carolina Cuervo snow-cone a fly ball to right (specifically targeted toward her) to make the final out that eliminated our arch-rivals from the playoffs. She must still be in shock over it because she constantly forgets she did it when I bring it up. (YOU DID IT, CAROLINA! LEGENDARY!)
• I got to watch Austin go toe-to-toe with Daniel Meredith and Dan "Mac" McEneaney for the home-run title and triple title year-after-year.
• I got to watch Christina hold her own on a hard hit to second with an enormous bearded, muscled, tattooed Penguin player charging toward her, and tag him out without flinching.
• I got to see everyone freak out when I was nearly decapitated on the mound, and they still made the play.
• I got to see first baseman Amy Appel make some crazy stretches for outs, as well as see shortstop Mac and third baseman Ian Kleinert demonstrate their occasional ability to make a throw all the way over to the next field behind Amy. And kudos to Ian's young son, who joined us for a couple of games, fielding and hitting like a star, all in street clothes and borrowed sneakers to keep us from having to forfeit.
• We made several runs for the championship that always came up short. We gave it our all, and that's what really counted.
• I miss Kevin and Clare's day-after recap emails. Literary inspired sports journalism at its best.
• I never did call for a quote. Sorry, Daniel M.

Too many great moments and memories to mention. (I'm sure you are glad for that, my readers)

After last season, I realized that I don't recover after games as quickly as I used to. I'd hoped to play one more season, take one more shot at the championship, and get a chance to say goodbye to everyone in person. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have lasted the whole season, and I wouldn't have wanted to hamper the team by playing at less than my best.

I know there are a few guys in the league who racked up a lot more seasons than I did, but I'm pretty happy to have played in 17 seasons over 30 years, and to have played into my near-mid 50s. Most happy to have spent these most recent years as a Writers House Bookie.

The league is full of tough competitors, and we had our share of drama. But, honestly I don't think any of us would have wanted it to be easy. I hope everyone else thought the laughs outweighed the drama. They did for me. I appreciated getting to meet so many great young professionals, and to have connected with them over many things beyond softball. It's been a sincere honor to play alongside them.

No more farewells. Just my thanks and my eternal friendship.

Signed,

#7 "Zeus"

P.S. BALLS IN!!