After 41 years coaching and over 1,000 victories, Bradley baseball coach Dewey Kalmer decided it was time to retire.

"Over time coaching is very mentally and emotionally stressful and its not a job for an older person. Its more difficult to coach young people these days."

Kalmer's career began in 1969 on the sandlot field of his alma–mater Quincy College. In 1980 he landed at Bradley, where he sent 7 players to the major leagues and one, Kirby Puckett, to the Hall of Fame.

"Bradley has had a kid in the big leagues for 28 or 29 straight years. We're all about positive publicity and baseball has made a major contribution in that area. We've had players drafted 31 of the last 32 years. Mike Dunne was on the United States Olympic Team. Bradley's been on the national scene for a long time."

8 years ago Dewey suffered two detached retinas, and feared he might go blind. The ex–Marine is as tough as they come though, and he came through it with flying colors. But his health had started to become an issue.

"When you're in the trenches, going to war in ballgames and when you've got your blood sweat and tears laid out there you become very close to those people. Its a lot like marriage. You grow in a marriage because you go through high times and low times. Coaching is the same way with your players."

Soon, Dewey and his wife Carol will move to a retirement community in Florida – which of course means they'll be perfectly situated for spring training.