Saying goodbye to an old blue suitcase

By Jim Muir

As I walked down the sidewalk at WQRL on Saturday morning, carrying an old blue suitcase and a small satchel, I realized this was the last few steps of a 25-year journey.

You see, the suitcase and satchel contained my radio equipment and I was turning it in, leaving it behind. And while the equipment belongs to WQRL, for the past quarter century it has been ‘my equipment.’ I babied it, took care of it, and took great pains to keep it working properly. Not one time in 25 years did I ever leave it in my truck overnight, not once. Even if I arrived home at midnight from a Friday night game and I was heading out at 6:30 a.m. to do my Saturday show, I carried my equipment in the house and carried it right back outside a few hours later.

And those that have worked with me through the years know that I was more than a little particular about the way the equipment was packed and unpacked. My theory was simple: ‘if I put everything back in the exact (and I mean exact) same place then the next ballgame I will know exactly where it’s at.’ During the past 25 years I have packed and unpacked that suitcase and satchel for more than 3,000 ballgames and 1,200 Saturday morning shows. In short, there’s more than a little mileage on the suitcase, satchel and me!

As I took a quick picture and one last look at the old, worn out suitcase and satchel I thought of how many miles we had traveled together. At venues from Peoria to Cairo and Quincy to Mt. Carmel, I’ve dragged that suitcase and satchel behind me. And without exception every one of those miles was traveled with excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm.

When I turned to walk away, I thought to myself, ‘if I had a dollar for every mile I traveled with that old blue suitcase I would be a rich man.’ But, then I quickly realized I am a far richer man because of the friendships I’ve made and the relationships I’ve forged while dragging that old blue suitcase around. It’s been a wonderful journey where I had the privilege to tell the story about thousands of athletes that gave all they had, every ounce of effort and talent that was in them for nothing more than pride in their school and community. What a blessed man I have been to witness that!

It’s an interesting and unique feeling of ‘knowing that you know’ when it’s time to walk away … because I am completely at peace with my decision. Through the years I watched people in many different professions stay too long, and then leave on bad terms. I think there is much to be said about walking away from something that has been a huge part of your life on your terms and with no regrets.

As I turned and parted company with my old suitcase and satchel I said a prayer for those that follow me. A prayer for God’s blessings, safe travels, exciting ballgames and that same joy and enthusiasm that I found in doing something that I absolutely loved.

Oh … one last thing – I prayed they take care of the equipment! That old suitcase has a lot more miles left in it!