Hirschbeck already enjoying retirement

The Major League Baseball season officially begins with three games on Sunday, then really kicks into gear with a full slate on Monday.

And for the first time since the Reagan Administration, John Hirschbeck won’t be a part of it.

Instead, he’ll be at his winter home in Sarasota, Florida, maybe playing some golf, taking a spin on his boat or, most likely, spending time with his wife and best friend, Denise.

Hirschbeck, 62, retired as a major-league umpire last Octo-

ber. The Stratford native and Bunnell High graduate started umpiring while still a senior at Central Connecticut State and capped his career working the Cubs’ historic World Series win over Cleveland. He still loves baseball — always will — but hasn’t regretted calling it quits since the moment Cub third baseman Kris Bryant’s throw nestled in first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s glove.

“I knew that I was ready to be done,” Hirschbeck said recently, by phone from his boat in Sarasota. “I’ve been in the game for 41 years, 34 in the big leagues. It got to the point where I was tired. I said, ‘OK, that’s it.’”

Hirschbeck’s career was highlighted by a frequent front-row seat to baseball history, but also marred by personal tragedy. He was behind the plate for Roy Halladay’s World Series no-hitter (just the second in history), Barry Bonds’ record-breaking 756th career home run and Mariano Rivera’s record 602nd career save.

Hirschbeck was crew chief for two World Series and worked five in all. He worked the Red Sox’ historic comeback against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, and was famously involved in a controversial encounter with Roberto Alomar, Jr.

Off the field, Hirschbeck has been through unbearable heartache, losing both of his sons to a rare brain disease. John Drew died in 1993 at age 8; 21 years later, Michael passed away at age 27.

In 2012, Hirschbeck developed a tumor on his kidneys and nearly died of renal failure. It took 32 sessions of chemotherapy before he was cancer-free.

Through it all, he has managed to maintain a positive outlook on life.

“I’ve been very, very blessed. I really have,” Hirschbeck insisted. “Things happen to people. You don’t say, ‘Why me?’ You say, ‘Why not me? What makes us any different?’ You handle it, you deal with it, and you move on.”

While many of the umpires he climbed the ranks with are working every day in the Florida or Arizona heat and preparing for another six-month gauntlet of travel and verbal abuse from players, managers and fans, Hirschbeck is now enjoying the good life.

“I have no plans whatsoever,” he said. “I’m gonna hunt, fish, golf, enjoy my time with Denise. We just built a new home in Ohio. I’m gonna enjoy things.”

And he doesn’t miss it a bit.

“I see all the guys down here in Sarasota who were friends, but I haven’t gone to a ballpark yet,” Hirschbeck added. “I’ve been busy with family. Maybe I’ll go over at some point and say hi to (Orioles manager) Buck Showalter.”