Jan25Written by:Charlie LaDuca
1/25/2012 10:27 AM 
We have lost another good friend and fellow baseball player. Jim Shevlin passed away this week. I first met Jim while playing for the Jamestown, NY Oldtimers eight years ago. Jim was in his mid to late sixties at the time. I was amazed at his hitting and fielding ability from day one. He was fundamentally as sound as can be and strong as an ox. Jim was an outstanding hitter and did an amazing job in the outfield. I played along side him for those seven years until I left the team last season. I lost touch with Jim and had no idea he was sick. I have to say his passing has hit me pretty hard. Like most of us Jim began to slow down during the last couple of seasons. He could still hit, but like most of us his legs began to let him down. His playing time began to decrease and I know it bothered him not to be able to compete at a higher level. He could no longer beat out a ground ball in the infield and running down shots in the gap were no longer possible in the outfield. Most men his age are sitting in a lounge char watching reruns of Matlock but it bothered him because he took so much pride in playing the game the right way.
Time catches up to all of us. I am a better person for having known Jim.
Rest peacefully my friend. We will be together again one day.Tags: