Saying farewell to Jack Roeder
September 3rd, 2010 | Published in Kernels
CEDAR RAPIDS — Jack Roeder got in three more tarp pulls this week. That brought his career mark to, oh, about a million.
“It’s tough to figure,” the Cedar Rapids Kernels General Manager said smiling, during a short break on a busy Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “You play 70 games over 20 years. I don’t know. Maybe around 1,400 or so.”
That’s one of the arduous tasks Roeder surely won’t miss next year. He is stepping down after 20 years with the Kernels and 30 years in professional baseball.
Last night was Jack Roeder Night at the ballpark, as he was feted during his final regular-season game. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner and Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack.
Jack Roeder coffee mugs were distributed to the crowd and there was a half-hour pregame presentation that included a series of video tributes, including one from Los Angeles Angels General Manager Tony Reagins. Friday was declared Jack Roeder Day in the city by Mayor Ron Corbett.
The Kernels wore special New York Yankees-style blue-and-white pinstriped jerseys that said “Cedar Rapids Roeders” on the front. The Yankees are Roeder’s favorite team.
“For the first time, the reality of this being the final year has set in,” Roeder said. “We’ve been so focused all year on wanting to have a good year and doing everything normal. But I’d be lying if I said as we get down to the last few days, your mind doesn’t wander a little bit. You start thinking about all the different things. Yeah, this week’s been a little different for me.”
Roeder has been a fixture in the community since moving here from Wausau, Wis., and was instrumental in getting the newer Veterans Memorial Stadium built in 2002. You have rarely, if ever, heard anything negative said about the extremely well-liked 59-year-old.
“He’s unbelievable. As good as it gets,” said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. “You can’t have a better person, a better GM … I mean, wow. I have been very, very blessed to be around him.”
“The well-wishes, the kind words have been overwhelming to me, but so much appreciated,” Roeder said. “When I see the piece John Campbell did on (KCRG) television or the editorial the other day in The Gazette. Those types of things really make you feel great and make you feel that everything you did over the years was worth it. I don’t know if I’m worthy of it all, but it’s certainly appreciated.”
Roeder said he will have to work again, though not in baseball, but will take some time off before going job hunting. He wants to spend considerable time with family, especially his two grandchildren, and friends.
And you will see him at the ballpark next season. That’s a guarantee.
“I’m sure I will miss the day-to-day running of the ballclub,” Roeder said. “At the same time, I’m very content with the idea that it’s time to do something else with the rest of my life. There’s a little bit of sadness because it is the end. But overall, I feel really good about my time here, and what we accomplished.”
Here’s video of the pregame ceremony, with Roeder speaking:
