"Hard to Give Up"


by: Don Groth

Hello sports fans! I hope all is well with you and your's out there! I'd like to talk about how hard it is for athletes to retire and hang up what they love to do. I'm 46 years old and have played and continue to play very competitive sports at a high level.

I still play baseball, softball and volleyball. It's still fun and is hard to give up. It keeps you in shape and I look forward to it! I've been with mostly the same group of friends and teamates for many years. People ask me all the time; "Are you still playing? Aren't you too old? When are you going to hang it up?" My reply is; it's too much fun and we're still winning. Why should I quit? I've had too many people over the years tell me they wish they wouldn't have quit so soon. I never wanted to be one of those athletes that looked back and wish they would've kept playing and regret hanging it up too early.

On a professional level, there have been numerous athletes over the years that hung on and kept playing past their prime. For example; Babe Ruth, O.J. Simpson, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Harmon Killebrew, Cal Ripken and Bart Starr just to name a few. Now with Michael Jordan coming out of retirement and being the "6th" man instead of the go to guy and x-Viking WR Cris Carter now coming back to play in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, I can understand why they do it. It's not always because of the money. It's mostly because they miss the competition, the commarderee with teamates, the feel of winning, recognition and wanting to win the "BIG ONE!"

Let's not be too hard on these athletes. It helps keep them young and feeling good about themselves!

Until next time, take care!

PS; Food for thought: "Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing!"
Don


Previous Articles

February '02
March '02
May '02
"June '02 The Stadium Issue"
"I Want My Muscles"
"To Strike or Not to Strike"

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Don Groth is a 45 yrs. old, x-minor league baseball player, Yankee A farm club, Ft Lauderdale, Fl. Still very active in playing baseball, softball and volleyball and coaching. Husband, father of 3, 2 girls(23 & 22) 1 boy, 18. He and Betty are loving life in too cold Minnesota. You can reach Don at; Don@boomerjournals.com