Final Day -- Pro Games (Sat., Feb. 7)

(Written by Meg Goldsmith on behalf of Kerry)

With nothing to play for, Kerry and I wandered out to watch the morning pro games.  They featured the two teams playing for The Ring first followed by the two teams playing for The Trophy.  This year, unlike the past two years when they mixed campers and pros, the campers played the pros. 

Kerry’s game was the third game of the afternoon but halfway into the first game, Jim Gentile asked him if he could play for his team because one of their players was injured and couldn’t play.  Kerry agreed and he wound up with a single off John Habyan at the end of the game.  (Kerry’s note:  I was batting last in the lineup—fair enough since I wasn’t really a member of the team—and after the first eight batters in the order were retired, I lined a clean single to right.)  In the pro game the Grizzlies played in, they faced Ken Dixon and Kerry went 1 for 2 and he made a couple of plays in the field.  (Kerry’s note:  Holy lack of details, Batman!  Dixon jammed me but good the first time up (I was leading off, as I had all week) and I popped to first.  But the second time up, with a runner on first, I roped a triple over Ken Gerhart’s head in right—the ball rolled all the way to the fence—driving in a run.  I then scored when the next batter doubled to right-center.  In the field, I played short and made a diving stop in the hole of a Rick Dempsey grounder and threw him out at first.  I also started a 6-4-3 double play on a Brooks Robinson grounder.)  (Meg's note:  Brooks can't run at all anymore.)  During this game, Grant Jackson asked him if he could play for them because their pitchers had dead arms and couldn’t throw.  Kerry agreed and he lined another single to right, also off Dixon, in his one plate appearance.  On the mound, he gave up 1 hit, 1 walk, and 2 unearned runs due to a grounder that their second baseman let get through her legs (one of two women campers this year).  (Kerry’s note:  I also had some chances in the field, despite the fact that I was pitching.  I got Wayne Gross, my coach, to pop up.  The wind was blowing hard, pushing everything toward the first base dugout.  With no wind the ball would have landed near the first base foul line, but with the wind it was blowing toward the fence separating the field from the “out of play” area beyond.  I was the only one who appeared to see the ball off the bat, so I raced off the mound, into foul territory and made a running catch near the fence.  Later, Ken Gerhart lined a ball just to my left…I got a glove on it, knocked it down, raced over and picked it up and threw him out at first.  In all, it was almost a dream-like performance—I was 3-4 off Habyan and Dixon, including a triple, with a run scored and another driven in.  I had a big game in the field and a generally successful one on the mound as well.  I can’t imagine doing any better than that.)

Once the games were over, we went back to the hotel to check the Belfry and get ready for the awards banquet.  We also checked out the photos from the week so Kerry could figure out what picture to put on his baseball card for this year.  He ultimately opted for a picture of him running the basepaths, a first for him.

At the Awards Banquet, he really cleaned up.  First, there was the trophy for being on the championship team from the Veteran’s Tournament.  Then there was the Jim Spencer Sportsmanship Award (which is such a huge trophy that we asked them to ship it to him).  And finally there was the plaque for being selected to the camp All-Star team.  Not a bad haul for his sixth season!

And the fact that he came home with no injuries and only a slightly sore hamstring meant it was an even more successful camp!  He did end up with a bit of a sore throat which he is blaming on the long phone session with me and Bob following the Mon. night Q&A with Jim Beattie but even that is resolving itself.  (And FWIW, Jack Voight was incredibly hoarse at the banquet so it was probably some virus making the rounds during the week.)

(Kerry’s note:  Yes, in retrospect, I clearly picked something up early in the week.  As I write this, the Tuesday after the end of camp, I’m fighting off the remnants of a nasty cold and am dealing with an eye infection.)

The Final Stat Line--Batting

The Final Stat Line--Pitching

Previous Reports from 2004 Fantasy Camp:

Fri., Feb. 6 -- Fifth Day of Action

Thurs., Feb. 5-- Fourth Day of Action & Meg Joins in the Festivities

Wed., Feb. 4-- Third Day of Action

Tues., Feb. 3-- Second Day of Action

Mon., Feb. 2-- First Day of Action

Sun., Feb. 1-- Veteran's Tournament Day 2

Sat., Jan. 31-- Veteran's Tournament Day 1

Fri., Jan. 30 -- Preparing for Camp