Boston Red Sox legend cheats death and makes shocking return to the mound at age 77
If you slide, get up. That is Bill Lee’s one rule. Lee had a storied 10-year career pitching for the Red SoxGetty The Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer has slid throughout his life more times than he can count, but always got back up. Even last year, when Lee went through a tumultuous period in his life, he never stayed down. Lee had collapsed twice while pitching for the exciting and entertaining, Savannah Bananas. He was done, but not out. “These are not health scares,” Lee told WMUR-TV. “These are events.” After a handful of cardiac emergencies that led to a major surgery, which included inserting a stent into a blocked artery in Lee’s heart, at the ripe age of 77, he was determined to return to the mound. The big left-hander found his way back on the bump with his favorite exhibition team once again. The man nicknamed Spaceman for his free spirit, wasn’t going to stay down for long after his procedure. Lee’s cardiologist, Hannah Chaudry, told the Spaceman to make sure he got back out there, even after the life-saving surgery. “I told him he should stay active and keep playing baseball,” Chaudry told her patient. Lee has been playing for the Savannah Bananas for many yearsGetty Lee pitched in the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati RedsGetty Lee listened. “I’ve been down so many times,” Lee said. “But I have one rule. If you slide, get up. “That’s the only rule I have in life. If you’re down, get back up.” Simple enough, but not always the easiest thing to do. Especially for a 77-year-old coming off major heart surgery. Yet here Lee is, a year later, at 78, still hurling his iconic eephus pitch into his catcher’s mitt. Lee pitched 14 seasons in the big leagues, 10 with Boston and four for the Montreal Expos. His big personality shined as brightly off the mound as it did on it. Even as he approaches 80, Lee is still living his life one pitch at a time. Still sliding along, and always, always, getting back up.
If you slide, get up.
That is Bill Lee’s one rule.
The Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer has slid throughout his life more times than he can count, but always got back up.
Even last year, when Lee went through a tumultuous period in his life, he never stayed down.
Lee had collapsed twice while pitching for the exciting and entertaining, Savannah Bananas.
He was done, but not out.
“These are not health scares,” Lee told WMUR-TV. “These are events.”
After a handful of cardiac emergencies that led to a major surgery, which included inserting a stent into a blocked artery in Lee’s heart, at the ripe age of 77, he was determined to return to the mound.
The big left-hander found his way back on the bump with his favorite exhibition team once again.
The man nicknamed Spaceman for his free spirit, wasn’t going to stay down for long after his procedure.
Lee’s cardiologist, Hannah Chaudry, told the Spaceman to make sure he got back out there, even after the life-saving surgery.
“I told him he should stay active and keep playing baseball,” Chaudry told her patient.
Lee listened.
“I’ve been down so many times,” Lee said.
“But I have one rule. If you slide, get up.
“That’s the only rule I have in life. If you’re down, get back up.”
Simple enough, but not always the easiest thing to do.
Especially for a 77-year-old coming off major heart surgery.
Yet here Lee is, a year later, at 78, still hurling his iconic eephus pitch into his catcher’s mitt.
Lee pitched 14 seasons in the big leagues, 10 with Boston and four for the Montreal Expos.
His big personality shined as brightly off the mound as it did on it.
Even as he approaches 80, Lee is still living his life one pitch at a time.
Still sliding along, and always, always, getting back up.
