92 Comments

Glad you’re feeling better but I am sad to hear you plan to put away your typewriter. I have been reading your column since you came to Indianapolis and I will miss both it and you. Thanks for all the stories and here’s to more before you go.

Expand full comment

Yes sir. Thanks for the note.

Expand full comment

Thank you for your “vulnerability” & realness for all of us. Sometimes people think “celebrities” can’t get depressed or have hard times.You are an amazing writer, and will be missed come August! I have enjoyed reading your blog, watching you on tv, and listening to your segments on the radio!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for the kind words, Kristi.

Expand full comment

Hi Bob. Thanks for the honesty. 72 yo retired guy here. Please don’t make guarantees about retiring. I sold my company 2 years ago, at 70 and wish now I hadn’t. Bored silly and now must find ways to engage my body and brain. There are certainly options to keep one foot in and one foot out. A lot of us enjoy your many years of insight and honesty.

Expand full comment

Many thanks, Matt.

Expand full comment

Agree on retirement - sold the company a couple of years ago with an offer couldn't refuse. Miss it, but fortunately I now have 5 grandchildren that keep us busy.

Expand full comment

You're full of shit, Bob. Don't deceive yourself! "it’s just an explanation and not a great one at that"

This is ABSOLUTELY a good reason to take some time off and take care of yourself! You are the most important person with who we follow and why we pay for this subscription. All the other people who write for you (/s) don't matter, just you. So you take care of yourself. And don't apologize to us for failing us. Because you didn't fail us.

If you were a pregnant lady having a baby, would thay be a bad reason to take some time off? Nope. What if you were physically injured and couldn't use your hands? That'd be a very valid reason to take time off, as well. Those are different and unique situations, but so is your situation. Your situation is important. It's critical that you take care of yourself. You're the most important Bob Kravitz out there! (At least as far as I know - sorry to the other BKs.)

Truly, I'm glad you've found the next right steps and you're back to a path of sustainability with your situation. I'm glad you've found some assistance. Meds for depression are so finicky. What worked perfectly last year could be worthless this year.

I encourage you to do a monthly self-checkup to focus for an hour, just 1 hour per month, to truly analyze yourself. And ask your close loved ones. How are you doing? How are you feeling? Is it all okay? Are the hard things causing you difficulty for the right reasons? It are they hard "just because"? Not everything can be peaches and cream, but not everything needs to be that hard.

I've lived with somebody with depression for a long time now, and I've learned that there's really little I can do but to help the person struggling to realize that they're struggling more than they really should be, and to help them see the signs that they need a professional to step in. The most important part of that, for you, is simply to ask yourself and your loved ones who know you and your situations the best.

But ultimately, I know nothing, but these 2 things:

1. You take care of yourself.

2. And retirement in 6 months? How exciting!!! I came for the Colts coverage, but I'll stick around for cake, too. 😁

Expand full comment

You’re the best. Thanks for sticking with me.

Expand full comment

Like most of the people leaving comments, I too have been a fan since you came to indy. For some reason, out of your lines that made me laugh out loud, or at least SAY out loud: “that was good”, my favorite was from an article where you and I think other Indy sportswriters were asked trivia questions about our city and when you were asked the name of the Catholic Church across the street from the (then) Hoosier Dome your reply was a simple “You’re asking a Jew this?” Funny, Humble, Smart. Depression is such the unwanted visitor— I’m glad you took the time off….I did wonder where you went. Be present in every moment of your retirement and do not look back. If you feel like writing, I’ll be here to read it.

Expand full comment

As a fellow life-long depression sufferer, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you using your forum to bring awareness. It shows people that it can happen to anyone, and it doesn't make you a weak person. I just wish help for mental health issues was readily more available to EVERYONE. I'm one of the lucky ones whose insurance covers my therapy and medications. But I suppose that's a whole other topic. Anyway, thank you for sharing your truth. You will be sorely missed when you retire.

Expand full comment

Hey Kevin, thanks for the note.

Expand full comment

Thanks for writing this, Bob. Glad you’re feeling better. Enjoy your 6-month victory lap!

Expand full comment

Thanks, Mike. Hope all is well.

Expand full comment

Thanks for writing this Bob. I will miss you and your writing.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Bob. I will miss your messages. Enjoy retirement and know that you had many loyal followers!

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing, and I’ll miss your columns when you retire. I’ve struggled with making that decision as well since I turn 65 in June. You’ve always had a unique writing perspective and aren’t afraid to go against the norm so to speak. Take care man.

Expand full comment

"Maintaining your mental health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones."

So, so, so true.

Expand full comment

Glad you're feeling better and what a great article to. As your former RPh in Fishers ( retired since November 2022), I'm so glad you are feeling better both medically and chemically. When you moved to Carmel, I so missed our conversations both in store and thru the drive thru. I miss my patients and my team. The company, not so much. 2 grandkids now so plenty to keep us busy is we want to. You will love retirement. All the best to you and the family.

Expand full comment

You’re the best, Bob! My favorite sports writer of all time. I think it’s your dry sense of humor that I’ll miss most of all…i.e. “Gifts are welcome.” :) Hang in there and don’t forget that we are lucky if we have the opportunity to get old!

Expand full comment

Just another heartfelt thanks for your openness, honesty, and vulnerability in sharing this. I've been reading you since I was quite young, and I've also fought depression/anxiety, etc., for most of my life. I make a point of telling all who will listen that comprehensive treatment saved my life, in no uncertain terms - probably a couple of times. I'm still working on it, even nearly two decades after first figuring out there was even a problem, but it's so worth it, and so important for folks to share stories like these. One of the best weapons we have against mental illness is fighting back against the feeling of being alone. Take care, Bob.

Expand full comment

Bob- thank you for your vulnerability. I am glad you’re feeling better. I have been reading your work since I was a sports obsessed teen, following your career from The Star to WTHR to The Athletic and now Substack. I’ve always enjoyed reading your take on the Indy sports scene. I am saddened by your announcement, but wish you luck in your deserved retirement!

Expand full comment

Bob - I am glad you are feeling better! Depression is a disease like any other and deserves treatment. I am glad you got the help you needed!

Expand full comment

Great advice for all ofnus!

Expand full comment