I was tagged by both Brandy, http://bransblahg.wordpress.com , and Sir Robert, http://sirrobertsworld.blogspot.com to write a six word memoir.
I would like mine to read “Full Steam Ahead, Don’t Look Back.” This was inspired by a quote I remember from the african-american baseball pitcher Satchel Paige, “Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you.”
Satchel Paige never let having the wrong skin color, or being an old man in a young man’s sport, stop him. His is an inspiration story for everyone.
Some other quotes from Paige:
“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
“Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood”
“Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.”
“Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society – the social ramble ain’t restful.”
“Avoid running at all times” – Great advice from a professional athlete. 🙂
Paige played in professional baseball until he was at least 59. He is listed as being born in 1906, but neither he or his mother ever confirmed when he was born. It is likely he was in his 60’s in his last professional game.
Because of the race barrier Paige did not get to pitch in the Major Leagues (or white baseball) until 1948 when he was at least 42. He was probably twice as old as most other “rookies”. In his first year he went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA. In 1952 he was the first black pitcher selected for the All-Star game.
In 1965, at the age of at least 59, he pitched in one game for the Kansas City Royals. He pitched three score less innings.
Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1971.
The Satchel Paige Wikipedia page:
The Offical Satchel Page web site
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17 comments
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May 13, 2008 at 4:33 pm
tam
Love your memoir!
…”Don”t look back!”
Good stuff!
“Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood”
THAT is so funny! Vinny is doing that right now, among other healthy choices. i am SO proud of him!
May 13, 2008 at 7:29 pm
alece
“Avoid running at all times” has always been my mantra as well.
May 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Indian Lake Papa
One I considered was: “Died 106 – shot by jealous husband!”
Only 42 years to go!
May 13, 2008 at 8:21 pm
edfromct
Papa, very funny! Of course you could be the jealous husband if Mama also lives to be 106. 🙂
May 13, 2008 at 8:29 pm
edfromct
Tam, I must have very angry blood because I eat fried meat almost very day. Once a week I eat fried fish. 🙂
Alece, I have never done much running either. I do “power walk” one to three miles a day. At least up until this past winter were I spent most of my time in front of my computer blogging or vegging in front of my TV. 🙂
Of course a nice big hunting dog will keep you and Niel running around your home.
May 13, 2008 at 10:01 pm
alece
1-3 miles a day?! man oh man. you’ve got me beat. waaaay beat. i so need to start exercising more.
May 14, 2008 at 1:08 pm
ric booth
Hey Ed, love the memoir title. Isn’t “Don’t Look Back” a Boston song? And thanks for the Satchel Page reminder. I have been to the Hall of Fame and I’m trying to remember what they had on display (beyond the plaque in The Hall)… but nothing comes to mind… Man at this rate I won’t remember anything by the time I’m your age!!
After being on the high-school x-country and track teams, I totally get the “avoid running” quote.
May 14, 2008 at 2:05 pm
edfromct
Ric, your right Boston did have a song “Don’t Look Back” but I can’t remember what it sounded like.
I figure if I forgot something it probably wasn’t that important anyway. 🙂
I have been to the Baseball Hall of Fame twice. I remember I liked the exhibits but no one thing stands out.
I just got back from the beach and very happy that I am not up to a two mile walk. After the lazy winter I had I think it will take me awhile to get up to my normal three miles.
The key to exercise is don’t stop. Once you stop it is 10 times harder to start again.
May 14, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Indian Lake Papa
Ed, I already am the jealous husband – tain’t fair! I am old and wrinkled – mama is lookin good!
May 14, 2008 at 7:59 pm
tomy
wow its amazing blog thanks alot my friend
May 14, 2008 at 8:17 pm
edfromct
Thanks for dropping by with the kind words tomy.
May 16, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Heidi
Wow love your Memoir….
I love how you attached it to Satchel Paige. My grandpa had a collection of his newspaper clippings and actual photograph from him. My grandpa was so proud of his collection of course there were others he wanted to buried with them. crazy huh?
But so true of how– never look back
May 16, 2008 at 5:39 pm
edfromct
Heidi, thanks for dropping by with a comment.
Did your grandfather ever meet Satchel Paige that you know of?
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being buried with something, like pictures, that were an important part of our memories. As long as it isn’t anything our heirs could use, like money. 🙂 I remember some guy was buried in his pink Cadillac.
May 16, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Heidi
Yeah, he did…
Forgive me for not remembering what park Satchel played in but my grandpa used to sell hotdogs there. So he had alot of memorabilia.
His favorite were used popcorn bags and sunflower seed bags.
Can you imagine how much money those would be worth today?
But my grandpa had a motto. “you live with your memories and you die with your memories… He was buried with his baseball collection, world faire tickets, his first valentine, and the leash from his favorite dog Hutch.
I should blog about this huh?
This is bringing back so many memories.
May 16, 2008 at 7:14 pm
edfromct
Heidi, Satchel Paige probably pitched in half the ballparks in America at one time or another. Working at a baseball park, a dream job for sure.
That is a great quote from you grandpa. “you live with your memories and you die with your memories”
He keep his first valentine, and the leash from his favorite dog. He really must have treasured his memories. His story would make a great blog post.
May 19, 2008 at 3:45 pm
mandythompson
catching up on all the blogs i missed while on vacation.
love your memoir title!
🙂
May 20, 2008 at 1:52 pm
edfromct
Mandy, I hope you enjoyed your vacation. The list of bloggers keeps growing and it is difficult to keep up with everyone.