For the number of years that I have had to opportunity to share a friendship and a place in the national cricket team with Joey Carew, the pleasure was always mine to associate with this talented, jovial and intelligent gentleman. I am very saddened by his passing, especially as the process leading up to his final day was short and unexpected. After a short conversation with him about a week ago and recognising his voice filled with contentment despite his ailment, Joey seemed to have had the strength to not only deal with his present condition but give hope to his wife Marion and children.
My shock was immediate, but the news sent my mind rushing back to our days at school where we shared the same desk for many years and were able to begin a lifelong friendship which was astutely challenged by our God-given talent in the field of sport. Funnily enough, life in our teens was based more on being true teenagers, those who gave our teachers a hard time with our sometimes unwarranted behaviour in class, and still succeeded in endearing ourselves to them amidst the detentions and other suchlike methods of penance for numerous offences. Our friendship carried from the portals of the Woodbrook College to the dressing rooms of the Queen's Park Oval where Joey quickly made an impact on the great club and the country as a whole.
His ability to bat was recognised long before he won a national cap but to those who knew him well, it was his outstanding ability to understand the game of cricket in the areas which he excelled-with bat and ball-and his intelligence which brought out the technical competence that was needed to lead our national cricket team that made him special. Surely he would have learnt from the likes of the former WI captain Jeffrey Stollmeyer and Willie Rodriguez, both his predecessors at the helm of T&T. He was a captain par excellence, and often used a non-compromising approach to get the best from his players. We were often victims of this approach when he made his demands on the field, but it was always in our own interest and also for the success of the team.
All of us who were fortunate enough to play under Joey will have our own stories about his stewardship at different times, incidents which brought some mild moments of tough talk, followed by his most charismatic charm when the result was reached. On his retirement from West Indies cricket where he expressed himself creditably among the best batsmen in the West indies at the time, his only regret may have been the times when he deserved to lead the WI team and was not allowed to do same. No disrespect to any selected captain, but Joey had the knowledge and the desire to create winning attitudes in players, and most importantly, he was good enough to make the team as a batsman who could bowl.
He would not forgive me if I did not mention his ability to play football, because he played in the school team with me and moved into the great Maple team of the sixties where he scored a few essential goals.
My friend has gone and left me to ponder over the times we shared ideas, created some batting partnerships and enjoyed some interesting debates on various aspects of sport. I remembered one conversation with Joey when he was a West Indies selector, he mentioned out of the blue: "Maybe I should have played more football, Alvin. In that way, I would have been able to educate you in that game as well."
I was not annoyed as he had made these statements many times before. Nevertheless, my friend of a lifetime will be sorely missed, but the memories will live on, especially as I have some interaction with his son Michael. Peace be with you, my friend Joey and may God bless you and welcome you into the great beyond. Rest in peace.