Pitch...while you still can

Satchel Paige was a pitcher who started with the old Negro League, who later pitched for the Cleveland Indians in the majors.  He was a colorful character, combining showmanship with a staggering arsenal of pitches.  Like so many pioneers, his achievements contrasted with his personal struggles in life.  Yet throughout it all, he worked as long as he could.

I used to play New York City stickball; unfortunately, that didn't translate very well into softball and baseball, as I later discovered.  Still, I can throw accurately.  For years, I was the one person who could dunk the guy in the booth at fairs and carnivals.  Unfortunately, a combination of bad typing habits, wrong keyboard heights, multiple bumps on the "elbow knob", laptop wrangling and sleep contortions have created a lasting, dull pain in my right arm.  Though fully functional, both forearm and shoulder silently scream with pain.  I can barely use a fly swatter.  Still, I continue to work.

I have a postcard featuring Satchel Paige.  In it, his characteristic high kick and his broad smile cement his image as the master showman that he was.  Across the top is the logo:  Making my pitch.

Despite our collective pains, both physical and mental, and whether in sports, in life and in our endeavors, we all need to do the same.  Lift that leg, swing that arm, aim for that strike zone.

Pitch.

Always B Positive