We Shall Not Cease From Exploration. And at the.....Will Be To Return To Where We Started, But Know The Place for The first Time.

I steal a quotation from T. S. Eliot to reveal my emotional reaction to the release of Edwar by the Yankees. And I didn't get the quotation quite right, either, because I have far fewer brain cells than when I first came upon it.

As most of you know, Edwar was discovered by me in the dirt field, independent league of southern Mexico. He played for my "Cantina" team, and was a star pitcher and first baseman.

Even though Edwar only had the one pitch, it was good enough to give him a shot at the bigs but no shot at being successful. But a drunken scout kept telling Edwar that a change-up was all he needed. It was that good.

Edwar and I used to talk all night over the philosophical and moral implications of that issue. Usually, I fell off the honorary "tequila shot king," barstool, before Edwar did.

Nonetheless, with the outcome of our debate still in doubt, Edwar signed with the Yankees.

What you don't know is that Edwar never forgot from whence he came. Even though he quickly rose through the ranks of the minor league system, he used to send keg money back to the Cantina every time he pitched.

Once he got the the Bronx. He sent one keg for each time he pitched, and another if he did well.

And even though the "multiple keg delivery" thing only happened twice during his extended career in the majors, we loved him for it.

We still watch Edwar on You Tube at the bar.

Today, then, marks the end of a great journey for Edwar. But his return by Greyhound to our tiny farming village marks the beginning of quite another.

There is a buxom bartendress here, for example, who has always loved Edwar. She learned to say in English, " ...Bezzzball beeen berry berry good for him.. " from tv re-runs of another great Yankee pitcher of latino origin ( the guy who advertised wieners ).

And now that she is over 17 years old, and the state police have returned to Monterey, it is possible their romance will re-kindle. He will see the beauty of the bean fields in summer in a way he could not previously appreciate. He will come to know southern Mexico and the struggle of the dirt field players for the first time.

He will find peace, rest and relaxation. There will be no need to rush through a hangover to impress some scout.

He will pitch for us until age 55, which should give him about another three good years.

Best of all, I have my friend back.