The morning game was scheduled to be played in Steinbrenner Stadium, spring home of the real Yankees, which was an incredible treat and thrill.
The Stadium is gorgeous and expansive; it seats 11,000. Today we got the full scoreboard and the Yankees brought their PA announcer, Paul Olden, to camp. Older was a nice touch. Not only did he introduce the batters, but he also provided a running commentary of the game.
We played the Mike Torrez- Orlando “El Duque'” Hernandez team again. They beat us 9-6 on Tuesday afternoon. They came into the game unbeaten in four games; we came in winless in as many.
At game time 10,981 good seats still remained. Barry’s wife, brother, sister-in-law, Andi and about 15 other stragglers were on hand.
It turned out to be our day and my day. All of a sudden the gang that couldn’t shoot straight erupted for 11 runs on 22 hits for a very comfortable and convincing 11-2 maiden breaking win.
BarryO was a smilin’ 2-3 at the plate with a solid single to left center in the first which got Joan’s attention. He even took his gimpy leg around the bases and scored a run.
I had the best day I’ve ever had on a ball field and accomplished my goal for the week with one swing of the stick.
I was 3-4 on the day with an RBI. Oscar Gamble and Homer Bush have used me as the sixth hitter in the line-up the last two days and that seems to be a good spot.
I was forced out the first time up and had single to the left side my second time. We erupted for 8 runs in the sixth inning and I got up with two down and a runner on first.
I drove the third pitch of the at bat over the right fielder’s head and I knew I had to keep running. An extra base hit was my goal for the week and as the ball rolled into the 314 foot right field corner I didn’t even look for a cab. Just kept going. Somehow I got to second and that was it. My first second in three camps. Very sweet feeling!
