David Wells started for the Yankees against us and set the first six Pinstripes down with the help of two double plays. I was in the seventh spot today.
When we came back around to hit Wells was replaced. Can’t believe I’m saying this but I was a bit disappointed when Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez came in. I batted against El Duque in a game like situation (or so I thought) on Thursday and really wanted a taste of either Wells, Jeff Nelson or Tanyon Sturtze.
After all I owned El Duque. This 90 game, four time World Series champion struggled with me on Thursday hitting me in the leg the first time up and then me “legging” out an infield hit. I wanted another challenge.
Guess I forgot for a minute the passion the boys in white had today. First pitch from Duque was about 80 mph and down the middle. Second about the same but outside. Third right down center and I swung and missed. I asked him to slow it down a bit.
He obliged with a 45 mph sweeping curve ball. If it had been anywhere near the strike zone I would have looked awfully foolish. Two ball, two strike count and a fastball down the middle that I actually hit right on the button to shortstop Homer Bush who tossed to first baseman Mickey Rivers.
Fresh in BarryO’s mind was El Duque’s blazing fastball strikeout on Thursday with the bases loaded. Today was more of the same as three pitches later El Duque was done with BarryO. Yankee staff estimated the strikeout pitch this morning was 88 mph, a speed no 61 year old retired banker will ever catch up to and most major leaguers didn’t either.
Defense was fun and for me might have been the highlight of my week. Pretty eye opening being at first base today and seeing three lefties––Rivers, Roy White and Oscar Gamble come at you in order.
As a bonus we actually doubled up Rivers this morning on a 6-3 double play that our shortstop threw in the dirt and when I opened my eyes the ball was in my glove.
We lost 1-0, the only team to hold them scoreless in their first at-bat. Our coach, Homer Bush, beat us with a double to left in the second.
As we walked through the post game handshake line with the Yankees. Jeff Nelson thanked each of us personally for being here this week!
