Bullet Bob is hanging up his baseball glove.

After 18 seasons wearing the NewHorizons red and white uniform, Bob Taylor is ‘retiring’ from the Thompson Seniors’ Slow-Pitch league.

Last month, he turned 86 just after the league’s season wrapped up. There are still some tournament games going on, and Taylor shows up to provide advice or just be a mascot.

But his time on the diamond is done.

“I can run, but it’s so slow, it’s almost a fast walk,” he said.

“I’m still fairly healthy, but everything slows up.”

As he talked, his teammates made cheerful comments and insisted he join them in the handshake lineup after they defeated the Dodgers Wednesday afternoon at Charles Anderson Stadium.

“He’s always positive, upbeat, a pleasure to be around,” said Rick Pye, who has played with Taylor for 10 years.

Taylor played baseball as a kid, but like many gave it up as a schoolyard sport. He picked up the bat several years after retiring from his job at Weyerhaeuser’s Vavenby sawmill in 1984.

Pye didn’t know how the nickname Bullet Bob came about, but said his teammate’s unofficial stats are impressive. As far as Pye could recall, Taylor has struck out four times in the past decade, never walked. He’s also pitched for 10 years.

“He hits the ball every time up.”

Taylor said his colleagues have been supportive and there’s a lot of joking and banter among players.

“We have a great bunch of people from all walks of life,” he said.

New Horizons has eight players age 70 or older and three over 80.

At 60, Gerry Schafer is the baby on the team. He said Taylor has been a mentor to the other players.

“It’s my fifth year and I’m still the new guy,” Schafer said.

“Compared to me, you’re just a kid,” Taylor replied.

Scores are not kept, in fact, records are not kept, in this seniors’ league. The games are about camaraderie, not competition; having fun, not coming first.

Taylor and his late wife had three daughters, who had seven children, who gave them 17 great-grandchildren.

Every year, as many of the crew as can make it turn up in Agassiz for the family’s annual baseball game.

A few years ago, Bullet Bob went face-to-face with a line drive to the pitcher’s mound. He needed seven stitches to close the gash in his chin.

He still goes to the family games, too, but he’ll take on the mentor role there, too.

Taylor’s teammates gave him a sendoff at the end of the season wrap up potluck last month. He was given an aluminum Louisville Slugger signed by the other members of NewHorizons. Oh, and a glittery Hawaiian skirt. Which he wore. With white socks.

There are photos to prove it that got passed around among teammates and made them smile.

It might not have been his shining moment with the team, but Taylor did it for fun and friendship. That’s what this team and league is about.

“I can’t sit around home and do nothing. It’s too easy to get used to sitting around watching TV. It’s not good for you.”

Even though Bullet Bob can’t run for his team, he plans on being there.

“I’ll be here in the dugout, cheering them on.”