Just some thoughts: That was a statement credited to Leroy Satchel Paige (July 7, 1906-June 8, 1982). Paige was an American Negro who happened to be the oldest player to ever play major league baseball. Paige signed a contract at age forty-two in 1948 to play for the Cleveland Indians. He last played in the majors leagues at age forty-seven with the St. Louis Browns. How good was Paige? One, he is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York which very few players are. Even more impressive to me is the Sporting News voted him out of the top hundred players of all time he was nineteenth. Pretty strong. I was fortunate that I once got to see Paige play. Long after he was out of the major leagues he "barnstormed" (traveling around giving exhibitions) with a team that came through our town. They played a group of local all-stars at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Indiana. Also, some time back I got to spend time with the basketball great Meadowlark Lemon and he shared with me some of the stories during a period of time when he barnstormed with Paige. Let's just say seeing Paige play on that evening was was more than worth the price of admission. |
"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
"Avoid running at all times."
"I ain't ever had a job. I just always played baseball."
"If you stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts."
"Mother always told me, if you tell a lie, always rehearse it. If it don't
sound good to you, it won't sound good to no one else."
"Not to be cheered by praise, not to be grieved by blame, but to know thoroughly one's own virtues or powers are the characteristics of an excellent man."
"Work like you don't need the money.Love like you've never been hurt.Dance like nobody's watching."
By the way how would answer Paige's question: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old your are?"
What age would you choose to be? I have my answer.
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October 29, 2016
Keep on,
Larry Adamson