Roy Steele

by Nico on Jul 9, 2006 9:30 AM PDT in News

If you haven't seen Gwen Knapp's comprehensive piece on Roy Steele in today's S.F. Chronicle, be sure to check it out. It provides the only thing all of Roy's fans have wanted--just to know what's up so we can know what recovery to root for--and in chronicling how horrible the last year has been for Roy it reminds us not to get too intense about the A's winning or losing when some would give anything just to be in the park again.

I was proud to see batgirl's awesome banner acknowledged, proud of AN to know that it got up because an AN user discussed the idea here, made the banner, and got it another AN user (saint) so it could get up sooner. What an awesome community. And I was ashamed to see that the public disclosure was inspired, in part, by idiots like me who speculated on his condition. There is a small part of me that feels the A's, with their players, inspire speculation and rumor by playing injuries so close to their chest. But there is a bigger part of me that feels no one should tell a human being how public to be with their private ailments and that no one should speculate on someone else's personal condition.

To the extent that Gwen Knapp's article occurred because idiots like me speculated carelessly, in Roy's grandson's diary, that "he probably had throat cancer" (he doesn't), mea culpa. To Gwen Knapp, thank you for allowing us to turn our attention from wondering what's up to praying that the voice of God can intone once again at the Coliseum. To Roy's grandson, thanks for taking the time to update the AN community before anyone else did. And to Roy Steele, please hang in there and know you are loved, even by strangers. Athletics Nation turns its lonely eyes to you--we really want to hear you behind the mike again, but most of all, we just want you to have your life back.

You can read Gwen Knapp's column today at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/07/09/SPGJOJSA6U1.DTL

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thanks so much for posting this

I too have speculated on his throat condition, though I refrained from actually spelling out the "C" word. While what Roy has is certainly serious, it does give us hope that perhaps he'll be able to return.

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2006 9:35 AM PDT reply actions

Very well written Nico

and it does really put things in perspective when we all act like it's the end of the world when the A's lose. I tell myself that all the time, but it's stories like this that help bring it back to reality.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 9, 2006 9:47 AM PDT reply actions

Beautiful sentiments Nico...

Thanks.

by willcmatthews on Jul 9, 2006 9:55 AM PDT reply actions

Don't it always seem to go...

that you don't know what you got till it's gone.

Thanks for drawing our attention to this story, Nico. Now our hopes and prayers will find some direction. Roy, may they lift you up to where you belong.

by groversson on Jul 9, 2006 10:22 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks, Nico

Like OaklandSi, I was most worried about "the C word" without actually spelling it out. I'll keep sending positive thoughts Roy's way, and I just hope his health continues to improve, even if I never get to hear his voice again.

I completely agree that no one should be told how much to reveal of any personal information, including illnesses -- and, unfortunately, that's one of the most unfair "demands" of holding a publicly visible job. People notice your absence and start talking about it. Without real information, imagination takes over... it's human nature.

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks to batgirl for making the poster.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2006 10:47 AM PDT reply actions

Good post ,Nico.

To Roy and his family ...thank you for doing the interview and letting us all know more. Roy has been a part of our lives for so many years he feels like a member of our family, too.

Roy, You will remain in our prayers.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 9, 2006 10:49 AM PDT reply actions

Roy Fund?

After watching what the AN community did with season tickets for charitable causes prior to the season, I'd be willing to put up $100 to help Mr. Steele's financial difficulties. $500 a month for medication alone is brutal, and it sounds like he's walking a fine line financially.

I'm not sure that he'd even accept it, or if other AN members feel it's a good idea, but I'll at least propose it and see what people think.

If there is enough support, Blez, Nico, etc. can email me at toddybaseball@comcast.net to get the ball rolling.

by ToddyBaseball on Jul 9, 2006 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

Great idea

I think that's a really great idea you have Toddy! I would really like to do something to help out or contribute. I can't even imagine how tough it must be for Roy right now.

by 30something on Jul 9, 2006 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

During today's broadcast

Foss said you can send things (Ray said cards or letters) to Roy c/o the A's.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2006 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions

roy steele story

for those of you who haven't seen it, we put this together at the beginning of the 2005 season. certainly means even more to me now than it did back then:
RoySteele.mov (Quicktime)

by brodiebrazil on Jul 9, 2006 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

it's amazing

how different his voice sounds through the speakers.

Much love to Roy Steele and here's hoping he can keep working very soon.

by asch on Jul 10, 2006 2:10 PM PDT reply actions

Roy Steele, his rare condition and help

Great article Nico, and friends.
As the mother and board member of the Achalasia Board, I am here to offer hope. How distressing tho to see someone who's affected by Achalasia, and perhaps does not have the medical resources to get the help and info they need.[Very RARE] It's funny how we are ordained to be in certain places at certain times. A member of our achalasia board from back east was forwarded the article in SF from a family member, this person forwarded the article to my achalasia yahoo gp, so I contacted the paper, after some research I posted a letter on the A's board, a kind person referred me here.. so perhaps some intervention to get the info to Mr. Steele?? Carolyn, Mom of Ball Players and The Mom of a teen who has been liberated from this awful disorder and can now eat with the rest of the boys!
Play Ball!

by wooleeacre on Jul 17, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions