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From: Tom Haley (thaley120791@jetmail.ca)
To: Jeff Hazmaier (jhazmaier@unity.org)
January 13, 2025
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for the email the other day. I'm sorry it took me longer than usual to get back to you, but I've been pretty busy. The Braves basketball team had a charity game for Habitat for Humanity last night. I played, but the only thing I have going for me on the basketball court is my height. And, you know, I'm not as young as I used to be. This kind of thing is for guys like John Lang, who are 10 years younger than I am.
I've been spending a lot of time with the boys, too, which I really, really enjoy. They're growing up so fast! We can do more fun things together than we could when they were babies.
The other day, Patrick asked me, "Dad, how many days until you have to leave?" That question really hit me hard. I hate saying good bye to Trish and the boys when I leave for spring training. It's usually the longest time I have to spend away from them.
For the first time I thought," how great would it be if I didn't have to leave?" I'm lucky that I've made enough money playing baseball that I don't have to spend the rest of my life working my butt off for a paycheck. My current contract is up after the 2027 season. I'll be almost 36 then, and I might think seriously about retiring. Right now, I feel good, I'm healthy, and I still love what I'm doing. But I'm finding myself thinking more and more about what I'm missing. Does that make sense?
Thanks for being the kind of friend who will let me "vent" like this. You're one of the few friends I have outside baseball whom I can trust enough to be completely honest with. I know you won't throw me under the bus and post this on your blog, or anything like that.
Say hello to your family to me, ok? Hopefully you can get to Atlanta for series sometime this year. Let me know, and I'll get your tickets lined up.
Your bud,
Tom
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