A few days ago, the Atlanta Journal Constitution published an opinion piece I wrote about Satchel Paige’s tenure as pitcher-coach-trainer and all around goodwill ambassador with the Atlanta Braves. Paige was signed in 1968 by Braves owner William Bartholomay. That contract gave him the chance to work for three more years — until he turned 65 — so he could lock in his pension.

As always, Satchel gave more than he got, raising the profile of the Braves and, even at the age of 62, putting on a spectacular show.

See the full piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Now comes E. Ethelbert Miller with The Fifth Inning. A poet, essayist, memoirist and literary activist, Miller reflects, as he nears 60, on life, relationships and loss in this, his second memoir, released last March.

Why the fifth inning? Miller writes:

In the fifth inning you know anything can happen. This could be a complete game. You count your blessings for surviving the fourth. The first hitter sends a ball deep to the warning track in left field. This brings your manager to his feet. He starts to pace in the dugout. He’s afraid you’re losing it. You look down at your feet and kick the rubber. You’re afraid too, and it tips the next hitter off. One swing and you’re down four. The next two hitters follow with a single and a double. It’s over now. You might as well play catch in the backyard with the kids. The catcher asks the umpire for time and walks out to the mound. Here comes your manager getting ready to ask for the ball. Inside your glove, you hold it and keep waiting for it to speak. The silence tells its own story. The game keeps searching for an author.

For more, see the following interview with Miller or visit his web site.

Let’s do the math: he played for more 40 years, pitching two or three innings nearly every night, year-round. He played in the Negro Leagues during their season, and in barnstorming games when there wasn’t a league game. His teams often played double-headers and sometimes three games in a 24-hour period, with him pitching parts of two or even three. After the season was over he played in the California Winter League, then headed to the islands to pitch in Cuba or the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or Venezuela.

My conclusion: Satchel Paige’s claims of playing in 2,500 games is, if anything, an understatement.

But here’s what we really should take away from that achievement: 2,500 games over 42 years is a punishing schedule. Punishing physically and psychologically. Look at how that compares with today’s Major League schedule. Starting pitchers throw every fifth game and relievers every other night, on average. They play from April through October, if they are lucky and make it to the World Series, then spend the winter resting and getting back into shape. Even if any of these players could last 42 years, which they won’t, that would amount to a fraction of Satchel’s game and win totals.

So yes, Satchel Paige made outlandish claims, and he generally backed them up. And no, nobody ever will break Satchel Paige’s Major League record for longevity, set in 1965 when he suited up for the Kansas City A’s at the over-the-hill age of 59 years, two months and eight days. How did he do? Three innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the hard-hitting Boston Red Sox.