Anyone who has played the game of baseball should hope to go out in the style that Howie Eischens did in 2009. Many people are forced in to retirement due to a decline in skills, an injury, time constraints, or many other issues. Howie did it on his own terms, and still as a very good player. Not to mention being on a team that won back to back league championships. Howie's final performance was one for the ages. 3-3 at the plate, dazzling plays in the field, and finishing on the mound. He did all of this in front of many family members and friends who had shown up just to watch his last game. Howie has been the "patriarch" of the Byron Market Place for many years and will be sorely missed by all of his teammates. His Sundays during the summer will now be free and if LuRaye ever wants to get rid of him for the day, we will take old #5 up at the diamond.