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Relief
Hotel Ponchartrain
Detroit, Michigan
Mr. Charles Prentice
442 Park Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
August 22, 1928
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your letter of the 17th. It arrived right before we left on our western trip, and as I was feeling rather low that morning, it was a very pleasant surprise.
Your question about my feelings regarding my retirement was a good one, and one not simply answered. I must confess there are things about my decision that frighten me somewhat. I have earned a good living from baseball, and I have managed to save and invest some money. Despite much advice to the contrary, I have avoided placing too much in the stock market. I would rather buy something that is real, such as real estate.
I do, however, have five mouths to feed, and therefore it will be necessary for me to secure some kind of employment. I am three terms short of my degree from Amherst, and I do not know if, at this time, they would allow me to return to the classroom. After all, it has been twenty years since I was there!
It would probably be possible for me to find some other sort of job in baseball; after all, it is the only business I truly know. However, the desire to spend time at home with my family is very powerful. Unlike you and our other college chums, I have never had that experience, and I confess I have been envious of you each February as I have said goodbye to my wife and children and boarded a train for the South and spring training. I suppose that at some time, I would enjoy a position in baseball, but right now, that would not be my first choice.
Now that I have finally decided to retire, I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. I contemplated it for nearly a year, and just as I seemed ready to decide one way, something happened to make me change my mind. Again, I confess to some envy for those of you whose professions do not place you in the public eye. It is highly unlikely that a newspaperman will ever write a column in which he speculates about whether or not you will close your accounting firm.
My decision having been made, I can enjoy playing ball more than I have all season. I am not playing every day now, partly because we have such a sizable lead and partly because one of our most talented young players, Martin Dihigo, has been called up from Providence. Dihigo can play nearly every position on the field, but his development has been stalled somewhat because of the strength of our lineup. I suppose he will move into our starting lineup next year, either at second base or at third, with Frank Frisch moving to second. Dihigo's versatility will give Bill Carrigan many options to choose from.
It looks like we should be playing in the World Series this fall, and if we are, I will gladly secure some tickets for you, Ophelia, and the children again this year. It has become a tradition for us to get together at the Series, when we are fortunate enough to make it.
Give my best to Ophelia and your children, and Sarah and mine pass along their best wishes as well.
Your pal,
Pat
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