An umpire was knocked unconscious by a base runner sliding into home. It took a half hour for the ambulance to arrive. After that incident the team stationed an ambulance at the field for all games. The home team physician also serves the visiting team. One year a New York Yankee ballplayer came to town with infectious hepatitis.
Fans know baseball as a timeless game, one that bridges and binds the generations.
One of my biggest thrills was being in the locker room for an old timer's game. I was standing there gawking like a kid at Warren Spahn and Eddie Mathews. As you might imagine, the job of team physicians can bring a few perks. I left a Medical Society Board of Directors meeting early so I could watch Robin Yount get his 3,000th hit. Everyone who was here at the time has a story to tell about the 1982 World Series.