Written by Jim Metzger
Roger Clemens has put together quite the resume over his 24-year Major League Baseball career. A two time world champion, he received seven Cy Young awards and he currently ranks third on MLB’s all-time strikeout list. After the 2007 season, the then 45-year-old Clemens finally decided to hang up his uniform to spend more time with his family.
But he couldn’t remain idle. As with many athletes, Clemens is “married” to the game. It is who he is as a person. No matter the level of competition, professional or a pick-up league, athletes such as Clemens just have the game in their blood.
Clemens now is 50 years old, and he decided that he had enough of “retirement.” Agreeing to a one-year contract with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League, the “Rocket” recently made a comeback. In his first start during August, Clemens didn’t allow a run while pitching three and one-third innings. The most impressive stat was, at Clemens’ age,that he was able to reach 87 MPH on the radar gun.
It is clear Clemens did not come back to the game for the money or the publicity. Neither is found in an independent league. Clemens decided to come back for the passion of the game. This is his “profession.” It is what he loves to do. He felt that he could still compete, and he wanted to try at least one more time.
It never is too late for anyone to get back into his or her game. Whether your career path was sports or business, if the work always had been enjoyable to you, then, with a few adjustments, you can make a comeback and again find satisfaction and success.
You are never too old to compete, even when your skills are out-of-date or a bit rusty. You just may need to reinvent yourself. That is what I did with my passion for lacrosse. While I have been very successful in business for more than 30 years after playing lacrosse in high school and college, a few years ago I decided that I missed the game of my youth. Since then, I have worked with and supported today’s athletes through programs at my alma maters of Hofstra and Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills.
If you have retained the passion for what you once did, and if the flame of desire keeps burning inside you, there always is the opportunity for you to find a way to remain in the game.
Jim
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