Frank Meisel

Frank Meisel

October 1999

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of one of our players and dearest friends, Frank Meisel. Frank was a player/coach of the OTB Cardinals and the Over 40 NABA tournament team, and was an inspiration to all that knew him.

Some of his friends share their rememberances of Frank. If you would like to add your thoughts, send them in and we'll post them here.

The Dr. Frank Meisel Sportsmanship Award was named in Frank's honor at the beginning of the 2000 season by Cardinal's manager, Steve Prutzer.

	October 1999 It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of one of our players and dearest friends, Frank Meisel. Frank was a player/coach of the OTB Cardinals and the Over 40 NABA tournament team, and was an inspiration to all that knew him. Some of his friends share their rememberances of Frank. If you would like to add your thoughts, send them in and we'll post them here. The Dr. Frank Meisel Sportsmanship Award was named in Frank's honor at the beginning of the 2000 season by Cardinal's manager, Steve Prutzer.

"As a fellow Brooklyn native, Frank was, for me, a link to the "old days" in many ways; even though my memories of the old Dodgers was dim, it served as a connection. In fact, one of the last conversations I had with Frank concerned old Dodgers memories. More than anyone else I've encountered in the game, at any level, Frank embodied a spirit of fun and fair play that I hope to be able to communicate to my own colleagues as long as I am associated with this league or any other. He was a good friend, and like that other old Dodger we lost not long ago, Pee Wee Reese, a true gentleman. I will miss him terribly."

Gerry Jeromski - Manager, OTB Tigers, former Cardinal teammate

	"As a fellow Brooklyn native, Frank was, for me, a link to the "old days" in many ways; even though my memories of the old Dodgers was dim, it served as a connection. In fact, one of the last conversations I had with Frank concerned old Dodgers memories. More than anyone else I've encountered in the game, at any level, Frank embodied a spirit of fun and fair play that I hope to be able to communicate to my own colleagues as long as I am associated with this league or any other. He was a good friend, and like that other old Dodger we lost not long ago, Pee Wee Reese, a true gentleman. I will miss him terribly." Gerry Jeromski - Manager, OTB Tigers, former Cardinal teammate

"There are words that will be written, stories told and memories shared about Frank, but nothing can replace the look in his eye when he was having the time of his life on the field...it is a loss that we all will feel for quite a long time. The sun won't seem so bright and the grass so green next spring without you, Frank. Rest in Peace, dear friend."

Bill Keefe - OTB Tigers

	"There are words that will be written, stories told and memories shared about Frank, but nothing can replace the look in his eye when he was having the time of his life on the field...it is a loss that we all will feel for quite a long time. The sun won't seem so bright and the grass so green next spring without you, Frank. Rest in Peace, dear friend." Bill Keefe - OTB Tigers

"Frank Meisel embodied the spirit of what Over Thirty Baseball is all about. That is, true gentlemen and baseball lovers who embrace the opportunity to play baseball, though their better playing days may be passed.

While Frank will be dearly missed, his efforts, contributions and camaradarie will not be forgotten. His love for the game and his ability to play is an inspiration.

Being a Brooklyn kid and life long Dodger fan, I was able to relate very well to Frank's love for the game and for the Dodgers. In fact at one of our games against the Cardinals, Frank cut his hand and I noticed he was bleeding Dodger Blue. There are still a few of us left.

I know that Frank will be in the starting lineup on his new baseball team now and he will be in great company. Hey Frank, save me a seat on the bench!"

Mike Grill - former manager of the OTB Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and former League Vice President.

	"Frank Meisel embodied the spirit of what Over Thirty Baseball is all about. That is, true gentlemen and baseball lovers who embrace the opportunity to play baseball, though their better playing days may be passed. While Frank will be dearly missed, his efforts, contributions and camaradarie will not be forgotten. His love for the game and his ability to play is an inspiration. Being a Brooklyn kid and life long Dodger fan, I was able to relate very well to Frank's love for the game and for the Dodgers. In fact at one of our games against the Cardinals, Frank cut his hand and I noticed he was bleeding Dodger Blue. There are still a few of us left. I know that Frank will be in the starting lineup on his new baseball team now and he will be in great company. Hey Frank, save me a seat on the bench!" Mike Grill - former manager of the OTB Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and former League Vice President.

"Please accept my deepest sympathies to Frank's family on their loss. Even though I only met him briefly, he came across to me as a kind and gentle man. From the stories I have heard he was quite a man, quite a baseball man as well. I am only sorry that I was not able to obtain his vast knowledge both on the field as well as off.

May god bless you Frank, and keep on swinging."

Ronny Perrin - OTB Red Sox

	"Please accept my deepest sympathies to Frank's family on their loss. Even though I only met him briefly, he came across to me as a kind and gentle man. From the stories I have heard he was quite a man, quite a baseball man as well. I am only sorry that I was not able to obtain his vast knowledge both on the field as well as off. May god bless you Frank, and keep on swinging." Ronny Perrin - OTB Red Sox

"I had the pleasure of playing alongside Frank on the OTB Cardinals for the past five years. His unequalled enthusiasm and energy brought out the best in his teammates. He may not have hit many home runs or stole many bases in the last few years but he was an integral part of every game we played and an inspiration to us all as he battled an insidious disease with dignity. Frank was the true embodiment of what's good about the human spirit.

My lasting memories will be of watching Frank dazzle opposing hitters with the "uncle charlie" from center field, watching him foul off 5 or 6 pitches in a row in the last inning of a playoff game several years ago knowing that he would come through with the hit that would win the game for us, and listening to him give every guy encouragement before he went to bat or to the field and be just as positive when they got back to the bench regardless of the result. Frank was my hero. He will be missed."

Tom Walsh - OTB Cardinals

	"I had the pleasure of playing alongside Frank on the OTB Cardinals for the past five years. His unequalled enthusiasm and energy brought out the best in his teammates. He may not have hit many home runs or stole many bases in the last few years but he was an integral part of every game we played and an inspiration to us all as he battled an insidious disease with dignity. Frank was the true embodiment of what's good about the human spirit. My lasting memories will be of watching Frank dazzle opposing hitters with the "uncle charlie" from center field, watching him foul off 5 or 6 pitches in a row in the last inning of a playoff game several years ago knowing that he would come through with the hit that would win the game for us, and listening to him give every guy encouragement before he went to bat or to the field and be just as positive when they got back to the bench regardless of the result. Frank was my hero. He will be missed." Tom Walsh - OTB Cardinals

"Frank saw a little bit of heaven in everything he did, eveywhere he went, and everyone he met. He rode shotgun with me for the last thirteen years on various teams and leagues to games, practices, and meetings. He enthusiastically embraced everything life had to offer. I would look forward to his positive input on game day and if things didn't go right he would be there to remind me that 'You can learn more from losing than you can from winning.' Somehow he had the ability to convince you that before the season ended we'd have a team of geniuses. He never quit or complained, he just took what came his way and did the best he could. Frank loved his team, his teammates and his league.

He was especially proud to be there on Opening Day and to finish the season with his mates. He threw out the game ball at the league All Star game, at a Spinners game in August and both times he bounced them in the dirt. He told me he wanted another shot at it, so when he was asked to throw out the ball at the League Championship game, we started practicing in private. For those of us who were there and saw Frank climb on to the field it was something special. He threw a strike and as I was wheeling him to the left field exit he excitedly whispered to me, "I made it!" ...... yes my friend, you certainly did."

John Saunders - Frank's friend, OTB Cardinals

	"Frank saw a little bit of heaven in everything he did, eveywhere he went, and everyone he met. He rode shotgun with me for the last thirteen years on various teams and leagues to games, practices, and meetings. He enthusiastically embraced everything life had to offer. I would look forward to his positive input on game day and if things didn't go right he would be there to remind me that 'You can learn more from losing than you can from winning.' Somehow he had the ability to convince you that before the season ended we'd have a team of geniuses. He never quit or complained, he just took what came his way and did the best he could. Frank loved his team, his teammates and his league. He was especially proud to be there on Opening Day and to finish the season with his mates. He threw out the game ball at the league All Star game, at a Spinners game in August and both times he bounced them in the dirt. He told me he wanted another shot at it, so when he was asked to throw out the ball at the League Championship game, we started practicing in private. For those of us who were there and saw Frank climb on to the field it was something special. He threw a strike and as I was wheeling him to the left field exit he excitedly whispered to me, "I made it!" ...... yes my friend, you certainly did." John Saunders - Frank's friend, OTB Cardinals

"We have lost a true example of class, dignity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. As his patient he challenged my every precept of health and healing. As a friend and fellow sportsman he exhibited a joy for life that I'll not soon forget. Our tears will dry and we will laugh again - would he have it any other way? The real task in honoring Frank Meisel will to be to keep his example in the forefront of our decision making processees. If we can do that, it will be the best way to honor him, and from him his greatest gift."

John McCusker, Manager, OTB Red Sox

	"We have lost a true example of class, dignity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. As his patient he challenged my every precept of health and healing. As a friend and fellow sportsman he exhibited a joy for life that I'll not soon forget. Our tears will dry and we will laugh again - would he have it any other way? The real task in honoring Frank Meisel will to be to keep his example in the forefront of our decision making processees. If we can do that, it will be the best way to honor him, and from him his greatest gift." John McCusker, Manager, OTB Red Sox

"Frank's humor and passion for life has spilled over into the lives of all that knew him. His basketball and baseball friends knew of his competitive love to play and have fun, no matter if you were six or over thirty times two.

His colleagues and patients knew him as a fun, caring, unselfish servant that helped grow the chiropractic field for many in New Hampshire. His family's love for him is special. I was deeply touched by the outpouring of affection by all that attended his memorial service. It makes me sit back and reevaluate how I lead my own life, and what is really important...to be a better husband, father, and have an impact on the people that I come in contact with in my own life. And for that, I thank you, as well as knowing that as long as long as I love baseball I can play in a league where your friends do. We wil continue to do your good work."

Dave Donahue, Assistant Manager, OTB Tigers, Cardinal teammate 1994-96, Lowell Bench NABA teammate 1998

	"Frank's humor and passion for life has spilled over into the lives of all that knew him. His basketball and baseball friends knew of his competitive love to play and have fun, no matter if you were six or over thirty times two. His colleagues and patients knew him as a fun, caring, unselfish servant that helped grow the chiropractic field for many in New Hampshire. His family's love for him is special. I was deeply touched by the outpouring of affection by all that attended his memorial service. It makes me sit back and reevaluate how I lead my own life, and what is really important...to be a better husband, father, and have an impact on the people that I come in contact with in my own life. And for that, I thank you, as well as knowing that as long as long as I love baseball I can play in a league where your friends do. We wil continue to do your good work." Dave Donahue, Assistant Manager, OTB Tigers, Cardinal teammate 1994-96, Lowell Bench NABA teammate 1998

"Frank was obviously an example of what one could do, with enough determination, to stay healthy and vital in their not-so-young years. But quite aside from this Frank was unique, in that when he came to the game, it was a wonder how much he was there for his teammates more than he was there for himself, and he loved it that way. This is the characteristic of Frank that will always stick with me. Frank lived with class and affected many people, in doing so fulfilling his life; nice job Frankie, hope to see you when I get there."

Steve Prutzer, Manager, OTB Cardinals