Maybe I'll Work Forever: Only about 15 percent of those over 65 are in the work force today
By: AARP Bulletin Editors Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: 2007-04
If gerontology is the study of aging, Satchel Paige wrote the book. The Hall of Fame pitcher defied racial barriers, tradition and age and in 1948, made his first major league appearance at age 42. He pitched the Cleveland Indians to a World Series championship.
But he did more. His focus was forward: "Don't look back; something may be gaining on you," he always said. His philosophy was his promise: "Maybe I'll pitch forever."
Forget science, forget steroids, forget modern training techniques. In fact, forget any training at all. Instead, Paige relied on his head, his heart and his savvy. He dismissed the traditional pitches—fastballs, curve balls, sliders or even knuckle balls. Instead Satch threw the "trouble ball," the "bat dodger," and the "bee-ball." He called it the bee-ball, he explained, "because it be right where I want it to be."
Paige was recalled to the majors in 1965 by the Kansas City Athletics, who put a rocking chair and a nurse in their bullpen for him. He made one appearance that year, pitching three shutout innings against the powerful Boston Red Sox, then retired.
He was supposed to be 59 years old, but no one knew for sure.
Bill Veeck was the Indians' general manager in 1948. He had recognized Paige's talent and signed him as the first African American ever to pitch in the major leagues. Three years later, Veeck bought the St. Louis Browns, and before long Satch was on his payroll there. He could pitch. He drew fans to the ballpark. And he was ageless.
And that's the point. Americans are clear about their work plans. Many expect to keep working a long time, beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. Like Satchel Paige, they expect to need the money. They also are healthy and eager to be productive.
But the reality for most older workers is different. Only one in seven is actually in the work force. For their part, corporate bosses focus on the bottom line and are shedding workers by the tens of thousands, often starting with those over 50. They acknowledge the benefit of experience and the cost of training younger workers; still, for many employers these pluses do not offset the expense of providing health care for older workers and higher salaries.
But this is the 21st century. It's a time when we have to rethink traditional ideas about when to work and when to retire, when to hire and when to fire. Maybe we won't be providing rocking chairs or nurses, but phased retirement, flextime and telecommuting policies would make a difference, along with the savvy that older workers provide.
We need more Satchel Paiges, and we need more Bill Veecks—people who want to work forever, and bosses creative and imaginative enough to give them that opportunity.
Addtional Related Links
March Editor's Letter: Divided We Fail
AARP's Divided We Fail Campaign
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