LOST on the STREETS

 

                                                              

                                      LOST on the STREETS

    It seems silly to have a title about streets and a picture without any. Maybe it's just about connections. The bridge connects Iowa to Illinois, the Mississippi River connects to countless locations and the fence connects from one end of a walkway to another. 

    The day was Thursday, August 29th and it started like many of my retirement days do.

I took my morning walk with my only daily change being the direction I take as I leave my driveway.

Either way, it takes me through our neighborhood on the east side of Davenport and regardless what

direction I choose I  always end up walking 26-27 minutes. Often I will repeat the same walk after 

dinner. Some streets have a bit of incline, but after growing up in Pennsylvania it's difficult to call

any place in Iowa a "hill"

     I never imagined that this particular walk would have a lasting effect on my thoughts and make me 

question my own existence, 

    That statement may sound overly-dramatic, but it happened and it came out of nowhere. I was

 only five or six seven minutes from home with only half a block and two left turns away from 

our house as I was finishing the morning's walk.

    There's not a lot of variety in my morning walking regimen or the morning routine of any of the 10-

12 people I see each day at 6:30 a,m. unless somebody starts earlier or later than usual. There's always  

two or three folks walking or running with their dogs, two ladies walking together, a young couple  

walking and talking, each of them drinking a cup of coffee and a several runners/ joggers who are

headed over to the Duck Creek running and bicycle path.

    I was walking on the left side of the street and less than a hundred yards ahead of me I saw a person 

coming toward me. As she approached, I noticed she was carrying a large plastic bag about the size of

 one of those huge book bags that some kids carry to school. The bag was in her right hand and it 

looked half full, of what, I couldn't tell.

    From fifty yards away I could tell that this person, who looked like a frail fifth grader was a mid-30's 

woman. She wore a tank top with shorts and it appeared that her bare shoulders, legs and face were 

sunburned. That became even more evident when she came closer. Her exposed skin was fire engine 

red. 

    For some reason, my mind created a scenario to explain what this woman was doing on this street 

and my first thought was that she was walking to someone's home to babysit. There are no restaurants, 

coffee shops or any businesses less than a mile and a half from the spot where we stood.

    She wore glasses. Her uncombed blond hair was relatively short and the slightly taller than five 

feet woman weighed less than 100 pounds.

    She pleasantly asked me if I knew where River Drive was. River Drive is one of the major streets 

that runs parallel to the railroad tracks and the Mississippi River. 

    Not only was she four miles from River Drive, she was heading in a direction that only took her 

farther away from her destination.

    She spoke clearly, but said, "I'm a little disoriented. I feel okay, but I'm a little mixed up."

    Davenport, Iowa has almost 100,000 residents and is one of the Quad Cities (two in Iowa and two

in Illinois). The four cities, (Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline and Rock, Island) combined total nearly 

a quarter of a million people.

    Despite being completely lost and miles from her destination, the lady was not crying or upset. She 

only wanted to know how to get to River Drive. She showed me the identification wrist band on her 

 right wrist that she had been given at one of our hospitals, probably three or four miles from where we 

stood. Evidently, someone had taken her to the hospital the night before. I assumed that heat 

prostration was the condition. Sunday had been a sunny, no clouds in the sky,, and mid-90's most of the 

day.

    She mentioned she had stayed in one of the area's parks all day, with little, if any protection from the

sun and it was apparent she had probably lost body fluids and was very weak. The woman only

said that someone had taken her to the hospital and that they checked her vitals, gave her some fluids 

and then discharged her. 

    I first saw her before 7:30 a.m. and she had already walked a minimum of three miles to get to the 

spot where we met. That means she left the hospital at daylight (around 6:00 a.m.). I didn't ask her 

what was in her bag. I think it may have served as her "suitcase" and possibly carried a change of 

clothes.

    I then proceeded to try to give her directions from our current location to River Drive. That was 

an inconsiderate and increasingly shameful act that still bothers me today, I was talking to her as if she 

was a businesswoman who was late for work and the GPS in her 2023 Ford Explorer was not working.

    She politely listened to me explain about the rough sidewalks, traffic, and some sights to look for

to assure she was traveling the correct route. She never questioned my laundry list of directions or 

complained about  another walking journey ahead of her. Her departure from the hospital only

took her farther away from her destination,

     I thought, 'Jim, you are an idiot. What kind of person are you?' I'm not naive or unaware our world  

has con-artists, liars, cheaters, scammers and those characters always in search of creating some kind 

of scheme to take advantage of someone on the internet, telephone or simply a knock on your door. 

    I allowed all those "what ifs" to take complete control of a decision-making process. 'Doing nothing 

is better and much safer than being a good person.' - when did that begin to define my personality? You

can always be observant, alert and apply some sound decision-making skills that can help and not avoid

those clearly in need of some help and some kindness.

    In this instance, my thoughts lasted two or three minutes when I thankfully realized giving long

distance walking directions was not an answer-it was an avoidance.

    We walked up the last street that connects to mine and I asked her to wait five minutes for me on an

island that separates three streets. I ran home, bolted upstairs and told my wife what I was going to do. 

She asked me what I needed and I told her I would grab what I could when I went dowwnstairs. I was

in a hurry because I thought this lady probably had been lied to many times in her life.

    I grabbed a plastic bag and took the fruit off our table, some bottled water, emptied my wallet which 

totaled about a dollar and a half and grabbed the keys to my car.

    She was waiting for me when I stopped to pick her up and drive her to a church downtown that my 

wife and I used to attend. I knew they used to serve breakfast each morning to those who needed a good

meal, many of them homeless. The church accepted donations of food, money, clothing-anything that 

could help many of the people who showed up for breakfast and were without a home.

    We drove for less than ten minutes. I intentionally did not ask many questions. She was somewhat     

familiar with the city, but I never got the feeling she was from Davenport. She talked about sleeping in 

the park(s) like she had spent the night at a Holiday Inn. She never complained. She probably told me,

"I appreciate you," and "I appreciate what you are doing" a half of dozen times on our drive. I only 

wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible and not feel the need to answer a hundred questions.

    The drive to the church parking lot was only ten minutes from my home and as soon as we pulled in 

to a parking space that faced one of the entrances of the church the lady said, "I know her." There were 

several people sitting on the sidewalk including a woman equipped with a large, open umbrella that 

kept her in the shade and she was surrounded by a number of objects that I could only guess were her

possessions. The younger lady in my car said, "I think her name is Sara and I know her."

    She exited my car and walked to Sara and they seemed happy to see each other. I was a bit concerned

that we might be too late for breakfast, but evidently it did not begin until 9:00 a.m. so we were a few 

minutes early. I wanted to find a person in charge or a director of the breakfast program and after asking

my friend of 30 minutes if she would be alright until I came back, she told me she was fine. Sara 

echoed her remarks and before I went around a corner of one of the buildings to find some church

personnel, I asked my friend if she was okay and also to please wait there until I came back.

    "I appreciate you," she smiled and I said I'd be right back as I walked around the corner of the 

building where she sat.

    I approached a long table with seven or eight men sitting in the chairs and looking like they were

preparing for the morning's meal. When I asked, "Is there a person-in-charge nearby,?" almost all of the 

guys pointed to another building and several wanted to walk me over there. They were very anxious to 

help and I then thought maybe one of the reasons could have been that I looked like I could use a good 

meal. I still had my morning walking clothes on; an old shirt and shorts, a baseball cap, some droopy 

socks and probably still showing some signs of the morning's hustle and bustle.

    I found the director, identified myself and briefly told her my reason for being there. The director 

walked with me and there was my new friend sitting on the pavement eating one of the tangerines I had

tossed in the bag. We all talked for a moment and I was assured she would be okay. She said, "I 

appreciate you," and for the first time I noticed her glasses. They fit her well, were in good condition 

and looked somewhat similar to the glasses I was wearing. It made me wonder for a moment how she

might have acquired them, maybe through an organization, a friend-I don't know. There could have 

been a hundred different reasons.

    I drove away thinking about her and what had transpired in less than an hour. When I arrived home I

 told my wife what had taken place and I said that I thought I would like to stop by the next day to see if

she was there or more likely, moved on to another location. She had mentioned without any details 

about two cities, Muscatine-about 30 miles from Davenport and Burlington was slightly more than 80 

miles.

    It's been exactly three weeks now and I've never been back to the church. I'll never see the lady I met 

or probably any of the other folks who were there for breakfast that day again. I've thought about that 

day several times and sometimes wonder why I have a degree in counseling when all some people are 

searching for is someone who will listen and I can do that.

    The lady who talked to me on the sidewalk and rode with me to the church never asked me for 

anything except directions. I didn't do anything special. I think I just did what I'm supposed to do. I'm 

glad I'm still thinking about it and I hope in some way it will make me a better person.

      

  

  

    

    

    

                           

Reviews of Baseball's Test of Spirit- A Man's Unlikely Odyssey into the Scouting World.

Reviews of Baseball's Test of Spirit: A Man's Unlikely Odyssey into the Scouting World for Sale now on Amazon.

"Jim Pransky was my coach at St. Bonaventure University in the early 80s. "Nice guys finish last," was a famous line by manager Leo Durocher. Jim has proven this adage wrong. For anyone who loves baseball, this is a behind the scenes look of baseball's less glamorous side of being a baseball lifer. In a world of dysfunction, his story is one of function - a solid youth, loving parents, overcoming injury, and a wife he adores. It's a life of gratitude, hard work, many nights at the Holiday Inn, and countless baseball games. His memoir is an engaging read. Baseball may have tested Jim's spirit, but he is not someone to be underestimated."

-Tom Lagasse

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

"Baseball’s Test of Spirit is a book of two themes. The first theme is one of perseverence and determination in chasing one’s dreams. It is the unlikely story of how one person essentially gave up on his dream after suffering an injury, then rebounded to build a successful career in college and Major League Baseball. The second theme gives an inside look at professional baseball and scouting in particular. Anyone who likes a “feel good” comeback story or enjoys baseball will enjoy this book."

-Mark Frick

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

“Jim Pransky has written a sterling account of his improbable climb in professional baseball. He has proven over the course of his long scouting and collegiate coaching career that there is more than one way to observe and evaluate a baseball game. He is a true baseball man. His commitment to the game and the people in it has made an indelible mark on the players he has drafted and coached.” Shawn Pender, Senior advisor to the president and general manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Formerly, vice-president of player development of the Cincinnati Reds.

- Shawn Pender, Senior advisor to the president and general manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Formerly, vice-president of player development of the Cincinnati Reds.

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

“Jim is a patient teacher and an excellent evaluator. He’s been a positive influence
for baseball players at all levels.”

- Arnie Chavera, former catcher in the Astros organization. Presently, Athletic Director at Black Hawk College.

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

"The book, available in Kindle and paperback versions on Amazon offers a behind- the-scenes look into the life of a full-time baseball scout, a close-knit fraternity that has dwindled to 1,000 or fewer today.  It provides intriguing baseball stories, scouting reports on players who made it big and those who didn't, as well as life lessons Pransky learned from four decades of coaching and scouting. Baseball junkies will love it,"
         

-Don Crim, Senior Columnist, Muddy River News. 

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

 "Jim Pransky went from the baseball fields in McKean County to a 25-year career in Major League Baseball. Even Pransky admits it was an unlikely trek." 'I never thought  I'd end up working in professional baseball, Really. for me, it was very unlikely that I would ever become a big league scout.First, it's hard to do anyway, but I just a kid who grew up in Eldred. I played  baseball, loved baseball, but we never played in front of a scout. I had never even met a scout until I started college coaching, I never thought that was possible."

 

    - Sara Furlong, Managing Editor, Bradford Era.

✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻ ✻

    "I just finished this wonderful book. As a baseball fan I enjoyed the anecdotes about the various players and baseball personnel. And I really liked learning about scouting and all it entails. But the book is about much more than perseverance, following your passion and work/life balance. Kudos to Jim Pransky for this well written book about his life's journey through the prism of baseball."

     - Herb Niles

                                                                  * * * * * 

   "Jim's true life story of his career as a baseball scout is truly an odyssey as the title indicates. The twists and turns of a scout workingin MLB where there is only 30 MLB teams is quite revealing of how baseball works and of how challenging it is to find and develop MLB players. Jim's participation in the first Money Ball draft was one of many compelling stories Jim shares with his readers."

      -Tom Wagner

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"This book is an excellent insight into the game of baseball. My passion for the game began in 1957 when I began playing at the age of ten. I continued playing to the age of 25 when I became an area umpire. Thirty years later and after umpiring 3 New York State Championships and Division 1 baseball (St. Bonaventure games including the plate assignment for the first Atlantic 10 series were memorable."                

     -Mike "Whitey" Welch.

                                                               * * * * * *

    "Baseball's Test of Spirit"- A Man's Unlikely Odyssey into the Scouting World is a fascinating glimpse into a baseball life. The structure itself of the book is interesting,

alternating life-on-the road with a personal memoir with scouting reports about memorable players along the way. The author, Jim Pransky, scouted Albert Pujols when he was a husky shortstop playing on the road at a JUCO in southeast Iowa, and Jim was just so-so on Albert's hit for power tool. He was not the only one to miss on Pujols. Only one or two scouts in major league baseball saw the first-ballot Hall-of-Famer for what he would become, and the peek behind the curtain for scouting on that 13th rounder is one of the many stories that illustrate the strange brew of art, science, conventional wisdom, and analytic precognition that make up modern baseball. Pransky shares the gritty and mundane details of scouting flyover country which enriched my understanding of the great game and stories and unknown people who form the tapestry of the most American of sports. I highly recommend this baseball book for fans who enjoy a good yarn. Five out of five stars.

    -Andy Lorentzen

                                                        * * * * * * * 

A fantastic behind-the scene look at what goes into MLB scouting!

   "Baseball's Test of Spirit," is a great firsthand account of the world of MLB scouting. Jim's entertaining and informative anecdotes on one important part of constructing a major league roster. Whether you've been a lifelong fan of the game or are a rookie in the bleachers, "Baseball's Test of Spirit" should make your readling list's starting lineup.

     -Kindle customer

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Baseball scout's passion and vocation

   "Pransky's book is an in-depth, no-nonsense story of his determination and dedication to the game of baseball and his unflagging effort to do his best, regardless of the long trips, the even longer hours, and the sometimes thankless realities of the business side of the game. His escalation from a small town, "one of the kids" to a world-world traveling professional baseball scout is a story well worth reading. As a baseball junkie myself, I enjoyed following the author's climb up the rungs of the scouting ladder and his referencing players both famous and little-known brought back lots of memories. If you are a true fan of the game and enjoy a good "Little Engine That Could" tale, this book is for you."

     -James Miller

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A Look Behind the Curtain of Professional Baseball Scouting from a Pure Baseball Man

   "An enjoyable read of a baseball junkie's lifetime journey in the sport. From the small town Pennsylvania kid who loved playing sports to finding a love of teaching the sport to eventuallyevaluating the best in the sport. If you love baseball you will love this book, but it is also a human interest story. A story of a person overcoming adversityto earn his wayto the pinnacleof his profession.

   On the road of this journey are some amazing stories, experiences and acquaintances. You feel like you are there with Jim as he tells the story of his life. I had a great time reading this book and highly recommend it."

    -Pat Atwell

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Wonderful baseball book to read

   "This was the best baseball book I have read for awhile. The author did a great job of explaining and making you feel like you were right there at the ball park with him. I am glad to refer "Baseball's Test of Spirit" onto my friends. Thank you."

    -Martha Galusha

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Baseball scouting stories-a worthy read

   "Jim Pransky covered a lot in his book on his career in scouting and that's because he came across plenty of experiences to share in his book.

   I really liked the book because I'm a baseball nut anyway and his name-dropping the years with organizations like the Astros and the A's during the Moneyball era were very interesting, He recounted his experience scouting a guy named Albert Pujols.

   His passion for the game can be felt and that's why he spent such a long career in a tough year-to-year career. A tip of the cap to Mr. Pransky.

   I highly recommend."

    -Rich Rhoades

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A different look at MLB

   "Jim gives us a look at pro baseball from a total different perspective, one I had never thought about. This is a behind the scenes perspective of baseball from the author's personal experiences as a baseball scout. Also, some of the stories in his book brought back a few memories and names from back home. A highly recommended reading for a baseball fan! I also recommend Jim's blog."

    -Michael Strom

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