Friday, February 1
In this morning's meeting, Kerry was awarded yet another Gold Rope for yesterday's performance. But he said it was a very interesting morning meeting because of the brown rope awarded to Jim Gentile. Frank Robinson showed up to deliver it. He claimed that the offense was so egregious that the commissioner wanted him to deliver it. And he added that the half-day suspension wasn't enough punishment for what he'd done so he was being suspended for the remainder of this year's camp as well as half of next year's camp. In addition, he was being fined $1200 for this year and an as-yet undetermined amount for next year. Frank also announced the formation of a new award, the Jim Gentile Red Ass Award. This award would be a toilet seat, given to the camper who most fit it, and he would have to wear it around his neck. Kerry said the entire locker room was in stitches with this performance.
He also said that Moe Drabowsky showed up for the morning meeting. Moe had finally been released from the hospital after a bought of pneumonia. Kerry said that, all things considered, Moe looked pretty good. Everyone was so surprised to see him that all of them, campers and staff, stood up and gave him a standing ovation. For those of you who aren't aware, Moe has been dealing with cancer (Kerry couldn't remember what kind) so seeing him looking so good was a real treat for everyone in the camp.
As for the game action, Kerry said the first game, this
"Seed Game" they had to play, lasted forever. He said that it
went on and on and on, to the point that they didn't finish until 45 minutes
after the last team finished their game. This only gave them about 40
minutes between games. I asked why it went on so long and he said neither
team wanted to use its best pitchers because the championship games started in
the afternoon. As a result, a lot of runs were scored. Kerry said
his team had a 5-0 lead going into the fourth and he had to come in with two out
in the inning to get the final out because they had tied the score and still had
the bases loaded. He struck out the batter and then went back into the
field. His team scored six in the bottom of the fourth (there is a Six Run
Rule in regular games) and they promptly gave up four in the top of the
fifth. That was the final tally, however, 11-9. In the game, he got
two walks and a single at the plate, scored one run and drove in
another.
He said that game just wore them out physically and it showed in the second
game, the first round of the championships. They got their asses kicked
(his exact words!), losing 15-8 despite starting their best pitcher. Kerry
said their defense totally broke down. Their first baseman dropped three
balls at first and missed some balls on throws that were wide of the bag but not
that wild. He said there were some dropped fly balls as well. And
the other team also employed a Wee Willie Keeler strategy of hitting balls in
places where their fielders weren't located. Kerry wound up pitching the
final three innings of the game, bad hamstring and all, and was pretty
effective. He didn't walk anybody, gave up 6 hits, one earned run (4
unearned runs), and had three strikeouts. At the plate, he lined out to
third in his first AB, popped out to short in his second AB, and flied to right
in his final AB.
Kerry said he was "done" for the camp and if he'd known that he wouldn't be playing in the championship game he would've flown home Sat. because physically speaking he had had it. In addition to it being really hot again, he sustained yet another injury. In the second game he bruised his left hip diving for a couple of ground balls. He said the heat has made the infield rock hard ("like playing on asphalt" according to Kerry). The trainers had wrapped his hamstring so he was able to play today, and they stretched it out for him between games, but he was only able to run at about 65% of his usual speed. He said that after the day's action was complete, several of his teammates came up to him and commented on the effort he made in the second game. He said it's well known at this point that he's pretty banged up.
Tomorrow morning they're supposed to play the pros and he said he's not sure if he's going to participate or not. He might sit it out or he might hit. But it should be noted that those games are three inning games so it's likely that he'd only get one AB. He's commented the past couple of years that the game against the pros is a thrill the first time around but after you've been down to camp a couple of times it looses its appeal.
He mentioned that as he was getting ready to leave for the day, Steve Freeman called him and a couple of other returnees into the office and gave them some of the extra incentives the Orioles give to campers who sign up early. He got an Orioles watch (it should be noted that Kerry doesn't wear watches so I laid claim to it while on the phone with him) and a ball that had been autographed by Mike Hargrove and Pat Hentgen. As usual, all the campers were loaded down with freebies once again this year. These are typically extras from the giveaways at the ballpark. This year they got a Coca Cola cooler, a Brady Anderson bobbing head doll, yet another floppy hat, and a license plate holder. Anybody going to camp should be sure to take an extra bag along to pack all the giveaways in. <g>
Kerry also related one other story from Friday's activities that was particularly meaningful to me so I thought I'd share it here. Yesterday, between games, while he was in the trainers room, Kerry found out one of the campers was going to propose to his girlfriend on the field before the second set of games started. She was down for the weekend and she had been asked to throw out the ceremonial first ball. Since she'd never been down before, she didn't realize this isn't done. Kerry said that word got around and everyone, including the umpires, staff, trainers, etc., showed up at this field. The camp coordinator escorted her onto the mound where her boyfriend was standing because he was scheduled to start the game. Instead of handing her the ball to throw to the catcher, he got down on one knee and held out a black box. Kerry said her hands flew up to her face in shock but, of course, she said "yes" and everyone applauded. She then threw the ball in to home plate to complete the ceremony. I commented that I didn't know how she had any composure left to do that. I know that when Kerry proposed to me, I was so excited I could barely think about anything besides calling some of my friends to share the news with them so I was amazed to hear that she was able to do this.
Tonight was the Brooks Robinson signing session. He always signs separately from the other pros because he's such a popular draw with Orioles fans. However, this year he did some signing yesterday. Kerry said he's always very accommodating to the campers. Tomorrow night is the Awards Banquet. The camp All-Star team will be announced as well as the camp MVP and the Gold Glove Award winners. The All-Star team is selected by the campers. Each camper nominates one teammate and someone from the camp at large. Kerry never votes for himself for this, which shouldn't surprise those of you who know him. He has been a runner-up for the Gold Glove Award every year he's been in attendance. I believe the coaches vote on the Gold Glove Award winners. I'm not sure how the MVP is selected.
With the exception of his stats in the game against the pros, his stats are complete for the camp. You can access them via the link below. As to whether or not he'll return next year, that won't be determined until next fall sometime. In the meantime, he'll return on Sunday and probably catch up with message board activity on Monday so if you have questions to ask him directly you can do so at that time. And if anybody is interested in more information, he can send you Steve Freeman's e-mail address at the Orioles. Steve is the one who organizes the camp every year.