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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S Postage Paid Falmouth Publishing Co. CCBL Highlights As Play Enters Final Week Chatham’s Schiffner On The Verge Of History When play resumed after the all-star break Chatham A’s Head Coach John Schiffner needed just one win to move past Cape League coaching legend Don Reed. In his Cape League career, Reed coached the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and Wareham Gatemen, compiling a 334-214-19 record, giving him the most wins of any Cape League coach of the modern era. The A’s had seven games remaining after the break and there is no sign of Schiffner slowing down. Matt Daly Tosses No-Hitter It was a no-hitter spun by Matt Daly (Hawaii) of the Hy- annis Mets on July 25 against the Wareham, however, the Gatemen scored a run in the top of the second, taking a 1-0 Members of the Bourne Braves keeping the dust down at Doran Park. lead until the fourth when the Mets tied the game before claiming a 4-1 victory. Daly was magnifi cent. He struck out eight, but walked four and his teammates provided some excellent defense. Hot Summer Season In the second Luke Murton (Georgia Tech) drew one For Cardinals’ Dennis of those walks off Daly. Jason Ogata (Oregon State) also Raben Page Three walked, putting runners on fi rst and second with no outs. The Mets then pulled off a double play when Hyannis short- stop Ryan Jackson (Miami) grabbed a ball off the bat of Russ Moldenhauer (Texas) and started a 6-4-3 twin killing. Murton, however, stood at third base. The Gateman fi rst The Summer Of ‘88: baseman then scored on a throwing error, making the run Mo Vaughn & Chuck unearned. That was the only jam Daly got into during the game. The Knobloch rest of the way Wareham never got a runner into scoring Page Five position. In the sixth inning Hyannis posted two more runs, picking up another in the seventh. Eastern Division Dominates All-Star Game For the last fi ve years it has been all Eastern Division when Hyannis Alum it comes to the Cape League All-Star game. The Western Pat Hope Looks Division won in 1997 and again in 2004. Over the last fi ve summers the East has outscored the West by 27-3, a mar- To Give Back gin made greater by their 13-0 dominating victory in 2004 at Falmouth pitcher Aaron Crow (Missouri) was the starting Page Thirteen Eldredge Park in Orleans. pitcher and the game MVP for the Western All-Stars.
5IF&OUFSQSJTFT Sol Yas: A Baseball Life 4VNNFS Page 11 6OL 4UB !UGUST ST 4VNNFS 9OUR 'UIDE TO THE #APE #OD "ASEBALL ,EAGUE 5 + )PTF 45th Annual All-Star Game Review ,OVIN Page 12 4UBS %VERY Being named Most -INUTE Valuable Player is old Mets’ Intern Radio Ready hat to Dennis Raben, 2ABEN Page 14 of the Orleans Cardi- -AJOR ,EAGUE %AST 7INS nals and the University 2EADY TH of Miami. During his "MM4UBS Look for this issue online high school years, Ra- (BNF @ www.capenews.net ben was named Team 02%3/24%$ 34!.$!2$ 53 0OSTA GE 0AID &ALMOUTH 0UBLISHI MVP all four years he NG #O was in the preps, play- On The Cover: Dennis Raben of the ing for three different Orleans Cardinals. Photo by Rich Maclone. schools. Last Saturday, at the Cape Cod Base- ball League all-star game, Raben once again was handed a trophy for being the most valuable player as he helped lead the East stars to a 3-2 win over the West, hitting a homer against Christian Friedrich publisher operations manager design services manager that proved to be the difference in the game. He William Hough Chuck Borge Christine Stutzman also walked in the contest and stole a base. sports editor Raben also fi nished third in the Home Run Derby sales manager design services Dan Crowley prior to the game. He said that swinging for the Chris Avis Linda Stewart fences earlier in the day helped out later. “It was a photo editor Jill Spencer real good feeling (winning the MVP). I found out I sales Don Parkinson Julia Balducci was in the home run derby a few days ago and it seemed to translate into the game.” Danielle Guay design & layout press supervisor With a week left to go in the season, Raben would Dawn Mitchell Elisabet K. Rodrigues David Pittman like to make a run at one more MVP award, the Trisha Herlihy Rebecca Whittingdon Cape League’s. He is currently batting .291 and is 50 Depot Avenue third overall in homers, with six. He leads the CCBL Nancy Medeiros Enterp e ri Falmouth, MA 02540 with 32 runs batted in and is fourth in slugging Esther Buchanan h s e 508-548-4700 • 1-800-286-7744 percentage (.520). He is also third in the league in Pam deLala T Falmouth • Mashpee • Bourne • Sandwich Fax: 508-540-8407 extra-base hits, with 15. Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 3 According To Coaches, Dennis Raben Knows What It Takes To Be A Major Leaguer BY MATTHEW M. BURKE According to Coach all year. It’s an honor to have Since 2001, when current Nicholson, Raben exhibits a been named to the All-Star Orleans Cardinals coach workhorse mentality when it team.” Kelly Nicholson joined the comes to the national pas- Raben said that this team as a pitching instruc- time and its not unnatural to summer has been made tor, he has seen over 70 of see him hitting in the cage easier by having Alonso his players make the leap to hours before the team leaves and Tekotte also playing in professional baseball. for an away game. In one the league. He said that at Matt Wieters, a switch- such instance, after hours of Miami both he and Alonso hitting catcher from last work, Raben had four hits, live close to one another year’s Cardinals squad, was Nicholson recalled. and spend time together chosen fi fth overall by the Coach Nicholson added playing video games and Baltimore Orioles, out of that Raben has good bal- talking baseball. On the Georgia Tech, in the 2007 ance when hitting, and he Cape, Alonso is in the next Major League Amateur Draft. has “great” pitch recog- town over. The two have Ask Nicholson his opinion nition. The lefty is rarely seen each other outside of as to whom his best hit- fooled, and hits for power to baseball a few times, but ter has been over the past both fi elds. talk on the phone often to seven years in Orleans, and Raben is currently atop get updates on each other’s he’ll tell you, its Wieters. But the Cape League leader progress. Coach K explains sincerely, boards, tied for second in “Its real cool that we’re that Dennis Raben, the homers with six, fourth in both doing really well up Miami Hurricane sophomore slugging (.532), and fourth here,” he said. outfi elder, is a close second. in extra base hits with 15. Raben, who hails from “Dennis is as good a kid, His batting average of .298 Hollywood, Florida, originally and as good a hitter as (going 37-for-124) leads this wanted to be a Florida State we’ve had here in seven year’s Cardinals team. He Seminole, despite grow- summers,” Nicholson said also leads the team in at- ing up 15 minutes north of prior to playing Chatham at bats, on-base-percentage Miami. His father, Richard home, the day before the (.437), games played (36), Raben, played for FSU. Cape League All-Star Game hits (37) and total bases However, Raben said that at Spillane Field in Wareham. (66). “Miami is awesome,” and “He’s a [Cape League] Hall Raben didn’t play summer he fell in love with it after his of Fame kid. He wants to ball last year due to toe sur- fi rst visit. play in the big leagues and gery, and he said that he is Raben is coming off of he knows what it takes to having fun playing baseball a sophomore campaign at get there.” every day. A hot start had Miami that saw the Hur- Strong words from the taken some of the pressure ricanes lose to Louisville head coach, who admits off of him earlier in the sum- 8-7 on June 3 in the NCAA RICH MACLONE/ENTERPRISE that he is partial to his mer, he said, and he is just Regional, thus breaking Dennis Raben is proving he is ready to take the next step in current quiet clubhouse trying to maintain his prow- their streak of 13 consecu- his baseball career. leader, and starting All-Star ess on the fi eld to fi nish out tive regional titles. He said right fi elder, but Nicholson the summer season. that despite batting .280 insists that he would prefer “I’m having a blast,” he with 61 hits in 218 at bats, season with a fi elding In 2005, Raben was to hit Raben with a game said last week. “Ever since 12 homers, and 48 RBI, he percentage of .977 in the drafted by the Seattle on the line than any other I got out here, I got a real had not lived up to his own outfi eld (he can also play Mariners in 49th round of the slugger currently playing good setup with my host personal standards. fi rst base) and had a 1-2 Major League Amateur Draft. Cape League ball. parents, and just playing ball “It wasn’t the year I want- record in 16 appearances on He followed that up with a Raben, a 6-3, 220-pound, everyday, just doing what ed, but it was a solid year,” the bump, with a 4.96 ERA, freshmen campaign at Miami power-hitting lefty, with you need to do in the morn- he said. “I played solid de- two saves, and 13 strikeouts. in which he batted .285, with a strong arm, has been a ing, coming to the fi eld at fense out in right and I also He gave up 17 hits and nine eight homers and 32 RBI. menace to opposing pitch- night. This is awesome. I’ve pitched like 20 innings too.” earned runs in 16.1 innings In the College World Series ers thus far, as the summer been seeing the ball good Raben fi nished the 2007 of work. Continued on Next Page winds to a close. He is big and strong with a stone- faced gaze while on the fi eld, yet when approached after a game, he breaks into an enormous smile while doing interviews or signing auto- graphs. Raben enjoys the game of baseball and works tirelessly to do what it takes to garner playing time. Raben is one of three Mi- ami Hurricanes’ who played in last Saturday’s All-Star Game (Yonder Alonso and Blake Tekotte, both of Brew- ster, were the other two), and at press time, he led the league in RBI, with 32. He also participated in the home run derby. His mother Lauren, and his grandmother, June, both fl ew up to see his All-Star performance. (Again, a smile breaks out onto the face of the family oriented Raben.) 4 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 Y-D slugger In The Heat Of The Batting Race BY MARK A. BROWN ting just .185 (5-for-27), but proven a threat to just about Just how good has Jason after that his bat has simply anything thrown over the Castro been for Yarmouth- exploded. In the 15 games plate. “I just try to see the Dennis this summer? Good leading up to the All-Star ball as early as I can and enough to have his home- break, he hit .449 (22-for-49), pick up any movement,” he town named after him. with 13 runs scored and 12 said. Of course, it’s just a driven in. He also tallied 11 With a build and bal- coincidence that the Red walks, giving him a .550 on- anced stance reminiscent Sox slugger shares his base percentage over that of another standout left- surname with Castro Valley, stretch. handed Cape League hitter, California, where he grew By the break, Castro had former major leaguer and up. But with Jason putting reached base with a hit or ex-Falmouth Commodore up numbers that have him walk in 29 of his 33 games, Tino Martinez, Jason’s level in a neck-and-neck battle and had at least one run or stroke generates solid line for the Cape League bat- RBI in 28 of those games. drive power to the gaps. ting crown heading into the With surprising speed, Despite his height and long season’s home stretch, his a strong arm, and quick arms, he has shortened neighbors back West might refl exes, the versatile Castro his swing and gets the bat do well to erect a statue has excelled defensively at through the zone quickly, and hold a parade. catcher, fi rst base, and in making him effective at tak- In a Y-D lineup that has the outfi eld this season. As ing outside pitches to the dominated the CCBL this a catcher, it takes him less opposite fi eld. summer, Castro has been than two seconds to receive An excellent eye, and a key cog. Selected as the a pitch, spring from the an ability to protect the starting catcher for the West crouch, and get the ball to plate by fouling off pitches Division in last weekend’s second base, according to has helped Jason draw 18 All-Star Game, he headed one pro scout. walks while striking out into the break hitting a Since straining his right just 19 times, the best such team-best .368, trailing elbow in early July, Jason ratio on his team, and sixth- league leader Conor Gil- has been slotted at fi rst best in the league at the laspie, of Falmouth, by just base and designated hitter break. four points. He also led the to prevent further injury to Despite growing up just a league in runs scored with his throwing arm while he few miles from San Francisco 28. wears a fl exible brace on Bay, Castro’s favorite pro The batting chase, he said, the joint. team is on the opposite coast. is not something he dwells Given a choice, Jason As it turned out, that team, the PHOTO BY MARK BROWN on. “It would be an awesome said he prefers playing Boston Red Sox, made Jason Jason Castro (Stanford) of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox is accomplishment, consider- catcher because it requires their 43rd round pick in the posting some big numbers as the Cape League enters its fi - ing the competition in this mental sharpness. “You’re 2005 amateur draft. nal week. league, but I just try to stay constantly involved, and “My Godfather is Alan teams, the Cardinal of Stan- ball League. He was named within myself and not think you keep yourself in the Regier, who was one of their ford University. “I lived about to the All-Alaska team after about it too much.” game,” he said. “But I’ll scouts,” Castro said. “It was a half-hour away, so I grew hitting .286 with 11 RBI and Castro has fl own under the play whatever position awesome watching them win up watching them,” said Ja- a pair of homers. radar for most of the sea- gives our team the best the World Series,” he said, son, who will begin his junior That experience has paid son, despite his outstanding chance to win.” naming outfi elder Manny year in Palo Alto in Septem- dividends this year, he said. production. Over his fi rst 10 Castro’s approach at the Ramirez and catcher Jason ber. “They’ve got one of the “This was such a challenge, games, he hit .400 (12-for- plate is to look for fastballs Varitek as his two favorite best, if not the best, mixes of and I’m really proud of the 30). Jason cooled off over early in the count, he said, Sox players. academics and athletics in way I’ve played so far,” his next eight games, hit- though this summer he has Castro decided not to sign the country.” Castro said. “I’ve shown I with Boston, opting instead Last summer Jason played can hold my own against to attend college and play for the Anchorage Bucs in the best competition in the 4HE 3AGAMORE )NN for another of his favorite the wood bat Alaska Base- nation.” 2%34!52!.4 Dennis Raben Knows What It Takes To Be A Major Leaguer 3%26).' Continued from Page 3 as well. Coach K said that he a pleasure to play for. He in 2006, Raben had three pays attention to the game added that the Cape is the hits, and all three were for while he is out in the fi eld. best place to play summer .ORTHERN )TALIAN extra bases. He hit a double He makes adjustments ac- baseball for its crowds and and had two homers and led cording to the count, posi- competition. #UISINE the Canes to a team record tion in the opposing team’s Raben is truly enjoying 10 total bases and a .909 lineup, and has a strong arm his time spent on the Cape; slugging percentage. to go along with it. something he said will no In Miami’s 8-1 loss to “He’s got a good arm,” doubt carry over into his 7E !RE .OW /PEN $AYS A 7EEK Oregon State, the eventual Nicholson said. “He gets a junior season at Miami. champions, Raben hit a good jump on balls, he’s a “Dennis can really hit,” (OURS AM PM solo homer in the seventh very good outfi elder.” coach Nicholson said in and plated the team’s only D-Ray, as he is called by closing. And that could lead ,/#!4%$ 3!.$7)#( 2/!$ s 3!'!-/2% -! run. his teammates and Cardinals to a career in the Major 4!+%/54 !6!),!",% Coach Nicholson said offi cials, is simply loving his Leagues and maybe a trip that Raben can hit -- this Cape experience this sum- into the Cape League Hall h#OME (UNGRYv we know -- but he can also mer. He said that Nicholson of Fame several years down play a pretty good outfi eld is a player’s coach, and the road as well. Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 5 How Sam Francis Hosted Two Future Big League Stars In The Same CCBL Season
BY MATTHEW M. BURKE they were special once they At the time, he said that Sam Francis was a friend stepped on the ball fi eld. He Mo also had a “gorgeous of Wareham Gatemen Gen- remembers them because of girlfriend” that would also eral Manager John Wylde, their interesting personali- visit. Despite Mo’s laid-back which was the reason why ties, and how they interacted attitude, he was gifted, and he had been hosting Gate- with one another. Francis said that he was men players for several “They were good kids,” focused on the ball fi eld, just years by the time 1988 rolled he said. “I was sort of just a not as much as Chuck. around. house parent. I kept the re- Francis fondly remem- When he fi rst started frigerator full with some food bered Mo’s mother as a opening up his home to and then the whole team “classic big, beautiful, black Gatemen players, Francis would come and hang out woman,” he said. “She was had an empty room with at my house, which was fi ne all woman ... great, great three open beds, vacated by ... I was very impressed. You woman.” his children. should understand, I know He recalls a multitude of When asked the names of nothing about baseball. I scouts being at the games to the players that he hosted don’t object to baseball, I’m watch his two houseguests, over the years, it is hard for just not a fan, so I’m an odd especially Vaughn. “For two Sam to remember. “I had case for this. But I have to years Mo was with me,” he one kid who was a senior at say that the kids were here said. “Those were big years Harvard,” he said. “He was for the summer, and they for him. He was very famous a math major, and he was a knew what they were here at that time.” pitcher?” for. This was their chance in Francis said that he related In 1988, Francis lived alone life.” more with Chuck because in his home on Pitcher Street Francis said that the future of his focus and blue collar in Marion. The warm, kind, Cape League Hall of Famer, attitude, which has always hardworking gentleman had and former American League been a staple of Gatemen seen his own children grow MVP, Mo Vaughn fi rst came baseball. He said that Chuck up and move on. He had to stay with him in 1987. He would be up at the crack of been a good parent and was returned the following sea- dawn getting ready for work. proud of the way he raised son, and this time, he was “I know how important it is his four daughters. joined by Chuck. to set yourself up for the rest The house is different Francis smiles remember- of your life,” he said. “That now. It is shingled, and Sam ing just how different the pair was what this was all about. PHOTO BY CHRIS VELESIDES KANSAS CITY ROYALS no longer lives there, but if was. Chuck particularly took it Chuck Knoblauch played 12 season in the major leagues, his those walls could talk, they “Each one was really dif- very, very seriously.” last in 2002 with the Kansas City Royals. Knoblauch played would tell one of the most ferent,” he said. “Mo was Chuck’s parents made the for the Wareham Gatemen in 1987, was drafted by the Min- entertaining, and perhaps really a big kid ... big, happy, trip from Texas once to visit nesota Twins in 1989 and later played four season with the fascinating Cape League powerful. As a batter, if he during that summer. New York Yankees. stories ever. ever connected, that’d be According to Francis, both It is the tale of two future the end of it. And Chuck was of his players had jobs in the Major Leaguers, polar op- just razor sharp focus. Every morning, and not working at posites, spending a summer minute of every day was part baseball camps, like today’s under the same roof, coming of his trial to get this position Cape Leaguers, rather land- together to win the league ... very focused.” scaping. He said that one of championship. Francis said that he met two CCBL stars worked at Sam was never really a Mo’s parents several times. Tabor Academy. fan of baseball, and never They lived in Connecticut Then they would be off followed the sport. When he and made the trip to Ware- practicing and playing hosted players, like a proud ham to see Mo play often. Continued on Next Page parent, he would go watch them play, but he has trouble remembering their achieve- ments on the fi eld. He was simply performing a service for Wylde, the kids, and to the team. However, there are two players in particular that Francis will never forget, a modern day odd couple who lived with him during the Gatemen’s 1988 cham- pionship season (29-13-2): Maurice “Mo” Vaughn (Seton Hall), and Chuck Knoblauch (Texas A&M). Francis said that he be- came particularly close with both of them that summer (Mo stayed with Francis for two seasons, 1987 and PHOTO BY DENNIS BREARLEY BOSTON RED SOX 1988). He remembers the Mo Vaughn played 12 major league seasons for the Boston pair better than any of the Red Sox, Anaheim Angels and New York Mets. He spent two other players he hosted over seasons in the Cape League while attending Seton Hall play- the years, but he doesn’t ing in 1987 and 1988 for the Wareham Gatemen. remember them because 6 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 Two-Time All-Star Having The Time Of His Life
BY DAN CROWLEY season, as a member of the honored and happy to be a didn’t know what to expect. proved victorious. Last The thrill was still there front-running Boune Braves, part of it. When you look at I was just hoping to help summer Orleans fi nished the second time around for Satin made a second ap- the history of this league, the team out in some way. third missing the playoffs. Bourne’s Josh Satin. The pearance at the summer and the guys who have It was a 3-2 pitch; a fastball This year Satin, and the University of California- classic. played here and gone on to over the plate. I hit it well. As Bourne Braves, have the Berkeley junior played last “Being on the team is a the major leagues, it makes I was running I had to ask postseason squarely in summer for the Orleans Car- great personal achieve- me very proud to be a two- myself; was this really going their sights. dinals, and was selected to ment,” the 2006 all-star time all-star.” to go over the fence? When “We’re going to make the the 2006 all-star team. This game MVP said. “I am very In the 2006 game at Red it did it was just an unbe- playoffs,” he said. “We’re a Wilson Field in Yarmouth, lievable feeling. I was just strong, tight-knit group and Satin drove in three runs in awesome.” we’re playing well. This team the East’s 7-2 victory that This year Satin was hop- doesn’t have any superstars. included a two-run home ing to become a member of What we have are guys that run over the center fi eld the winning all-star team as play hard everyday and do fence. a player from both the East their part to win. We have “It was my fi rst at-bat of and the West, however, for guys that can do what you the game and I was pretty the fi fth straight season the need to score runs and win. nervous,” Satin recalled. “I Eastern Division once again Continued on Next Page Hosting Two Future Big League Stars Continued from Page 5 sitting on a living room couch with the Ta- games. Francis would sometimes give bor Academy fl ag that they had stolen off them rides if they needed them, and then of the fl agpole at the school. he would not see them until afterwards, “They were just kids having fun, ya when they came piling in, with the rest of know?” he said laughing, barely able to get their teammates. They would order pizzas the words out. “They were going to do in and have dinner. these fancy prep school kids that were out Francis fondly remembered the team there. They were going to take their fl ag playing a Peter, Paul, and Mary record on away. This was a big school fl ag.” his old phonograph machine, getting quite But like any good host parent, Francis animated during the song, “Right Field.” He told them to return it, to their amazement. said that the team would sing along. He said that they looked at him baffl ed. “The whole team is yelling and I don't “They said, ‘What if they see us?’” Francis know what for/Suddenly everyone's look- recalled. “I said, ‘That’s your problem, not ing at me/My mind has been wandering, mine. You gotta take it back.’ So I made what could it be?/They point to the sky and them take it back and leave it someplace I look up above/And the baseball falls into where it would be found. There was noth- my glove!/Here in right fi eld, Its important ing terrible about it, they were just kids. It you know/You gotta know how to catch, seemed like a good idea to them, I’m sure, you gotta know how to throw/That's why at the time. They were shocked when I told I'm here in right fi eld/Just watching the them to take it back.” dandelions grow.” Francis added that he often assumed Francis said that the team would cheer a parental role with the boys and helped when the under-appreciated right fi elder shape them into the Major Leaguers that caught the ball. This helped bring them they would become. Mo went on to play together that year and would help them to Major League baseball for 12 seasons. DAN CROWLEY/ENTERPRISE win the championship over Orleans two He played for the Red Sox, where he won Two-time all-star Josh Satin is enjoying his second Cape games to one. the AL MVP in 1995, the Anaheim Angels, League season. Host parent Francis admits that the pair’s and the New York Mets. Mo was named to immense differences occasionally got three All-Star teams. between them. He said that, in his opin- Chuck played 11 years of professional ion, Chuck might have thought Mo wasn’t baseball for three different teams, the Min- focused enough at times, and Mo probably nesota Twins, the New York Yankees, and MADNESS thought Chuck didn’t enjoy life enough. He the Kansas City Royals, winning four rings. added that they did get along for the most He was AL Rookie of the Year in 1991 and Ê âÕÊ*À`ÕVÌÃÊ"Ê->i part and if there were ever any real prob- was named to four All-Star teams. lems, he never saw them. “I had four daughters, so I didn’t have Ê âÕ Ê âÕ However, Francis believes that because any sons, but I appreciated what they were of their differences, they were never quite going through,” Francis said of the time he - Ê>`Ê // Ê "6 -Ê relaxed around each other, but in their spent with the boys. “That part of it was -"/ Ê /- >`Ê Ê "6 - spare time, they hung out together quite a good fun. From my point of view, I was de- bit. lighted to have them. I enjoyed being with “Occasionally that would rattle between them and doing things with them. But they Îä¯Ê" Óä¯Ê" them,” he said. “Because Chuck was were growing up, and I said, ‘Grow up!’ We very focused and Mo was laid back and had a good summer.” Ài>ÌÊÃiiVÌÊÊÃÌVÊvÀÊÌ iÊLi}iÀÊÌ fooling around, but they both were good Francis said that he went to several Red Ì iÊ«À]ÊVÕ`}ÊvÕÊÃvÌL>ÊiÊvÀÊ}Àð kids. They got along okay together. There Sox–Twins match-ups over the years to see weren’t any harsh moments at all ... (they) “his kids” play. He went to one game with got into a little too much beer once or Mo’s mother, and another with Wylde, who twice. I don’t think the coach would have remembered Chuck coming up to Francis #HECK OUT OUR SHOP liked that ... but if it needed to be brought before the game and talking with him at home and put to bed, then I could do that.” length. 9OULL LOVE Francis said that the one thing that “I saw them a couple of times after, but WHAT YOU SEE 7EST -AIN 3TREET q (YANNIS -! brought the pair together was their desire then we lost touch,” he said with an air of q to play pranks. He recalled with a smile, sadness in his voice. “For me they were &AX coming home and seeing Mo and Chuck just fun kids to help raise.” Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 7 Dreams Come True For Bourne’s T.J. Hose BY DAN CROWLEY Shapiro had a temporary he explained. “Hitters have All he wanted was another spot.” a tendency to watch that chance. Last summer an Excited about having a pitch. With a metal bat, they injury forced East Carolina second chance, Hose arrived are going to go ahead and University pitcher T.J. Hose in Bourne full of enthusiasm swing. You also can stay to give up his roster spot and ready to pitch. The fact away a little bit, but you with the Cotuit Kettlers to they he didn’t have a perma- don’t really change your Pirate teammate Shane Mat- nent contract was naturally game, you make the hitter thews. Healthy this spring, a concern, but soon his love change his to hit you.” and still hoping for a chance for the game, talent and The excitement and pure to pitch in the Cape League, early success had him on joy that Hose brings to his Pirates' coach Billy Godwin track for a permanent spot. job are obvious from the made some phone calls for “Knowing that you don’t smile that has become a his right-hander and just have a permanent spot part of the uniform he wears. over a week before the sea- makes you work harder,” he From selling 50/50 raffl e tick- son opened, Godwin landed smiled. “You know you have ets on a day he isn’t pitch- Hose a temporary roster even more to work for.” ing, to cleaning the dugout spot with the Bourne Braves. The pressure to perform after a game, it’s clear that “About two-thirds of the and the scrutiny Cape he just loves what he is do- way through our college League players receive from ing. Being on the fi rst place season I mentioned to my professional baseball scouts Bourne Braves, who have coach about how much I and the media fueled his had a lock on the top spot had always dreamed about determination to be the best for most of the summer, is playing in the Cape League,” pitcher he could be. In early another reason to smile. Hose explained. “I asked him July it all paid off when Hose “This is a talented team,” to try to work something out received a permanent con- Hose said. “We have depth to get me a spot. About the tract from the Braves. But and we have a bunch of DAN CROWLEY/ENTERPRISE fi rst week in June he called this wasn’t just Hose that great guys. We have great Bourne’s T.J. Hose has things going his way this summer. me and said Coach (Harvey) had come up a winner, the chemistry.” Braves had found a pitcher A native of Hagerstown, that not only had shown he Maryland, Hose had an out- Two-Time All-Star Having The Time Of His Life deserved to be there, but standing high school career three weeks later pitched his in which one of the many Continued from Page 6 said if someone dropped off, career,” he smiled. “Not only way onto the Cape League highlights was the chance Our pitching has been solid, I’d be the fi rst guy. They had do you get to go to Fen- All-Star team. to pitch in the state all-star the starters have been very a full team. Then we called way, a place I had always “This can be overwhelm- game in Camden Yards, good and the relief pitching Coach (Harvey) Shapiro, and wanted to see, but getting ing,” he said with obvious where he was awarded MVP has been great.” there had been an injury or to meet some of the all-stars enjoyment. “I’m just trying to pitching honors. As a second year player, something. He had a spot from around this league is enjoy every minute. I came “That was unbelievable; Satin fi nds it more comfort- and said come on out and a great experience. I made here with high expectations, there was so much adrena- able playing on the Cape this play. I was on a plane early friends last year from other but to have all this happen line,” he recall with excite- summer. the next day. It was already schools that I still talk with. to me is a bit overwhelming. ment. “I was supposed to “Last summer I got off to a the middle of June and I Just being able to be there, Playing in the all-star game, start the game, but I wanted hot start,” he remembered, didn’t know what to expect. see Fenway and explore the I guess, is just the cherry on to close. I wanted to sit out “but this summer I didn’t. I didn’t know how long I’d be fi eld and take in everything top of the cake.” in the bullpen and soak it all But I knew what I could do. here, or what they needed.” is a tremendous experience. Hose was one of the top in.” I knew that it’s a grind here, At the all-star break, Satin, Everyone knows about the pitchers for the East Carolina When his family came to but that if I stuck with it, it who primarily plays fi rst Green Monster and just Pirates this season. He led the Cape for a visit in early would happen. Your fi rst base, but has seen action in being able to walk up there the staff in wins (6), strike- July, Hose had the chance to time, you might not have the outfi eld and at second was awesome. I got to see outs (70) and innings pitched visit Fenway Park in Bos- that confi dence to let it base, was among the top Pesky’s Pole and later shake (95.1). He fi nished his spring ton for the fi rst time. As a come to you. We’re winning performers on the Bourne Johnny Pesky’s hand. It was with a record of 6-5 and an member of the 2007 Cape a lot more here, but you still Braves in every major sta- an unbelievable experience.” ERA of 3.97. Entering the League All-Star team he had have the ups and downs tistical category. He led the Not everyone gets the op- all-star break this summer a second chance to visit the every season. I loved my team in home runs (4), total portunity to play two years in he tops the Bourne staff in venerable ballpark, this time experience last year. I loved bases (51) and was tied for the Cape League and even wins, at 4-2. with some of the best play- Orleans, and Coach (Kelly) fi rst in hits (33). He was sec- fewer reach the all-star level “Being able to pitch up ers in college baseball. Nicholson. This year we do ond in runs (18), and walks twice. For Satin the oppor- here has given me a lot more “Just walking into that sta- more things to win. Last year (21) and tied for the second tunity and experience have confi dence,” Hose said. dium I got chills and goose we had a bunch of great with most doubles (6) and in changed his life and have “Last season had its ups and bumps,” he said. “There players, but it seemed we on base percentage (.408). provided him with memories downs for me, and I needed were so many great players always came up a little short. He was hitting at a .264 clip that he’ll have for a lifetime. to come up here and feel that played at Fenway. It has This year when we need the entering the all-star break. “Having played here is comfortable on the mound.” such a great atmosphere big hit, we get the big hit; As a member of this year’s honestly something you’ll Hose has four pitches that and what a great setting for we’re doing what it takes to all-star squad the native of one day tell your kids he’ll use when he takes the baseball.” win.” Calabasas, California, will get about,” he added. “It’s my hill. He throws a fastball, The summer has been a When he wasn’t drafted in a second chance to accom- goal to play in the major sinker, change-up and slider. dream come true for T.J. the Major League Baseball pany his all-star teammates leagues, and a good per- In a pinch he’ll often turn Hose, but it is a dream that Amateur Draft in June, the to Boston’s Fenway Park for centage of these guys here to his slider to get a batter he has worked very hard coaching staff at Cal-Berke- the Cape League’s Recogni- will one day get there. This out. Pitching to wood bats for. From a last-minute ley began to look around for tion Night, where the players is the best of the best in changes the way a pitcher temporary player, to per- a summer spot for Satin. will be introduced on the fi eld college baseball. I can look works and Hose has some manent status with a fi rst “My coach made a call to prior to that night’s game. back and know that I gave it experience in that depart- place team, to a spot on the Coach Nicholson at Orleans. “Last year, that was one of my all and had some suc- ment. all-star squad it has been I wanted to go back there. the better days of the sum- cess against the best college “I think with the wood bats everything that he wished They didn’t have a spot, but mer, let alone my baseball players in the country.” you go in a little bit more,” Continued on Page 11 8 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus
BY RICH MACLONE straight CCBL title, and third any combination of two vic- Can anyone stop the in four years, the Sox are in tories or Hyannis defeats. Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox? position to make another Despite being below the That seems to be the big run. .500 mark heading into the question as the Cape Cod Chatham hopes to be the last week of the season, Baseball League clubs wrap team that has the opportu- the Hyannis Mets (16-19-2, up the regular season and nity for a fi rst round upset. 34 points) still have a shot heads to the postseason. The A’s seem to be in pretty at the postseason, though. The Sox have run rough- good shape as the Cape The Falmouth Commodores shod over the rest of the League heads to its fi nal (19-18), the second place league all summer long. Led week of ballgames. With 45 team in the west, only have a by MVP candidate Gordan points overall (21-13-3) it four-point lead heading into Beckahm, the Red Sox lead would take a miracle at this the last seven games, and the Cape League in team point for the Brewster White- the two clubs still meet two batting with a .277 mark as a caps to catch up, although times, including a game on collective. Jason Castro, the the Caps do have one thing the last day of the regular Sox’ versatile fi rst baseman/ working in their favor, the season, August 8, in Fal- designated hitter/catcher, is schedule. Brewster has two mouth at 7 PM. Should the second in the CCBL in hit- games head-to-head with stars align just right for the ting, just four points behind the A’s, on August 5 and 7 Mets there could be a whole the league-leader, with at a and also has two games left lot riding on the season clip of .368. Beckham is near with the Harwich Mariners, fi nale. the top in just about every the owners of the worst Falmouth and Hyannis offensive category that mat- record in the east. If Cha- have met four times already ters. tham stumbles a bit and the this season and the results Through 37 games the Red Caps get hot, there is still a of those games are the dif- Sox had compiled a gaudy chance that Brewster could ference in the standings. 26 wins with only 10 losses make the playoffs. Falmouth is 3-1 against the and a tie, good for 53 points In the west the situation is Mets. overall in the standings. The nearly identical. Bourne is The fi nal week of the Red Sox could lose every in the playoffs barring some season holds a great deal game the rest of the way and sort of fi nal week meltdown. of intrigue for certain. On would still end up in a tie for With a 12-point lead on the August 10, at the homes of the last playoff spot in the third place team in the divi- the higher seeds in both divi- eastern division. sion, Hyannis, the Braves sions, the 2007 Cape League Hoping for their second can punch their ticket with playoffs will begin and just a few days later a champion will be crowned. Yarmouth- Dennis has to be considered the favorite at this juncture, DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE ѮFTQPUMJHIUJTPO but the other postseason Chatham’s Gregg Glime (Baylor) makes contact in a re- contenders will not make it cent game. 4VNNFS4UBST easy for the Sox. BUXXXDBQFOFXTOFU
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Players from the Eastern Division stand for the National Anthem. Scenes From The 45th Annual All-Star Game PHOTOS BY RICH MACLONE
Honor guard presents the nation’s colors during the opening cer- emonies.
Players and future players of all Baseballs fl ew out of Spillane Field all afternoon as ages enjoyed the annual summer the all-stars got into the swing of things. classic.
Tyler Stohr (North Florida) of the Hyannis Mets pitching in the 45th Annual Cape League Bourne Braves’ Public Relations Director Darin Weeks catches a All-Star game. fl y ball during the home run hitting contest. 10 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 2007 Cape Cod Baseball League Schedule Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 11 Cape League’s Sol Yas: Driven By A Love For The Game BY CHRISTOPHER KAZARIAN ing off to the University of to participate in a senior Picture the perfect Cape Massachusetts, where his baseball league tournament. League volunteer and playing career ended. That, The team he plays on is, ap- chances are that Sol Yas fi ts of course, is with an asterisk. propriately enough, named that image. The fi rst, and He occasionally played Dodger Town and consists most important requirement, softball, but in 1984 he re- of many of the friends he has is, of course, a love and pas- turned to the game he loved. made at the Dodger fantasy sion for baseball. Thanks to the advent of camps. As someone who lives every man’s dream - fantasy When not playing, Yas can off-Cape, Yas will drive any- sports camps - Yas picked often be seen umpiring at where from 45 to 65 miles to up his glove and bat and Little League, Babe Ruth, attend a game, and some- headed to Myrtle Beach for and high school games times two, a day. The small a week to become a born- throughout the year. stipend the league provides again baseball player. Yas was introduced to him for his work as director He played with complete the Cape league in 1994, of offi ciating, does not justify strangers and against many by a college friend, How- the drive. Clearly there is of his former Dodger heroes, ard Wayne, who was then something more that com- players like Sandy Koufax, the general manager of the pels him. Don Drysdale, and Clem Brewster Whitecaps. It probably is not his job Lebine. "He knew my interest in RICH MACLONE/ENTERPRISE either, which he admitted Thanks to the camp, Yas baseball and asked me to Cape League Deputy Commissioner and Umpire in Chief Sol is not glamorous. "It is not even developed into a crafty come and help out with the Yas. a job everyone wants," he hurler. "That fi rst year, no team," Yas recalled. said. "It is kind of a no-win one had played for any Over the next six years, situation when dealing with period of time before that," Yas remained with the White- condo from Wayne. Oakland A’s. umpires. When you make he said. "The guys would caps, ending his run follow- His responsibilities includ- Both have been inducted a close call [as an umpire], throw hard and probably ing the team’s 2000 Cape ed overseeing the conces- into the Cape Cod Baseball somebody will be upset. lasted about an inning. I had League championship. sion stand, ensuring the fi eld League Hall of Fame. "I was Generally that is what you never pitched before that, He shared general man- was in suitable condition, fortunate enough and hon- are dealing with. You never but for most of the camps ager duties with Wayne transporting players to and ored to introduce them when are going to have a com- I had been to since I have for a portion of that time, from games, and fund-rais- they went in," Yas said. pletely happy marriage be- pitched. I enjoy that and it before he held the post ing. Although their link was tween ballplayers, coaches, makes me appreciate it more alone. Although not glam- His favorite aspect, he baseball, Yas said, his con- and umpires." when I watch the games, the orous, he loved the job for said, was simply the involve- nection with these, and other Yet, that is what he strives mechanics and techniques one reason: the sport itself. ment with the players. "That players, is more than just the to achieve at his post, which pitchers use." "As a general manager in is the part I liked the most," sport. He and his wife, Su- he considers not a chore, Since that time Yas has the league, the glory is lost he said. "It was a lot of work san, attended Kielty’s wed- but a blessing. "I love it. I been to 12 camps, all with pretty quickly," he said. and took a lot of time, but ding. "It is hard to put it into am not doing this to become the Dodgers, and plans on "You've got to really love the fruits of it are just watch- words what that means," he wealthy," he said. attending one more next baseball and want to work ing baseball for one, which said. "It is very fulfi lling and To fi nd out how this, or year. The experience has seven days a week, doing I enjoy doing, and getting gratifying." any position, in the Cape renewed his passion not just everything from ordering involved with the players. After 2000, Yas left the Cod Baseball League would for watching the game, but uniforms to taking out the Many of them I have re- Whitecaps to spend more make Sol Yas happy, it is for playing it. garbage at 11 at night." mained friends with, some time with his family. necessary to start, like any He plays competitively Although he lives off Cape of whom are playing profes- He was asked to remain in story, from the beginning. in a men’s senior baseball Cod in Easton, Yas said, sionally." the league as a deputy com- Yas was born in Montreal league in Rhode Island and he spent much of his time That includes fi rst base- missioner, overseeing teams where he quickly developed travels yearly to Phoenix in Brewster, renting out a man Sean Casey, now with in the western division. His an affi nity for the Brooklyn the Detroit Tigers, and duties included checking on Dodgers, thanks to their Bobby Kielty, now with the Continued on Next Page AAA affi liate, the Royals, that was based in the Ca- Dreams Come True nadian city. Although he left Montreal Continued from Page 7 and headed to Boston with for. After college, like so many players who come to the his family when he was fi ve, Cape each summer, Hose wants a professional baseball he said, "to this day I am still career. a Brooklyn Dodgers fan." “I think this will probably be one of the greatest sum- Like most, when he was mers that I’ve ever had,” he added with his ever-pres- young, Yas could be found ent smile. “I’m hoping this will be the summer that sets on the baseball diamond. "I my career off. It’s a big stepping stone in getting me to was pretty good as a baseball where I want to be.” player starting from my little league days," he said. "When you are good at something you want to keep doing it. $ONT 3TRIKE /UT I don’t know why that was. Was I good at it and that’s 'ET THE "EST 4IRES (ERE why I loved the game or did I love the game and then become good at it?" Regardless, he said, the seed had been planted and he played the game, as a CAPE & ISLAND TIRE CO. third baseman, through high HYANNIS E. FALMOUTH ORLEANS E. WAREHAM school in the Boston suburb 730 Bearses Way 735 Teaticket Hwy. 135 Route 6A 3057 Cranberry Hwy. of Brookline, before head- (508) 775-6066 (508) 457-1300 (508) 255-9522 (508)291-7500 12 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 MVP Raben Leads East Stars To 3-2 All-Star Victory BY RICH MACLONE some fun things on the fi eld. as he roped a double to left. Pitching is to the Cape It worked out pretty well in Alonso chugged around the League as water is to the the end.” bases and scored on the beach. It seems that you Raben said that although play as the relay to west cannot have one without the all-star games have a laid catcher Robert Stock, of other, and if you did it just back-ness to them, that in Cotuit, was short-hopped wouldn’t seem right. the end competitors do not and skipped up off of the Last Saturday, at a muggy want to go home losers. backstop’s chest protector. Spillane Field in Wareham, “It’s very competitive. We’re Beckham had taken third it was a show of arms in the all very competitive players on the throw to the plate annual Cape League All-Star and we always want to win, and that extra base proved game. The East stars, led by nobody out here wants to valuable. The east’s starting MVP Dennis Raben, of Miami come out and lose and it’s shortstop would make it 2-0 (FL) and the Orleans Cardi- always going to be a good as he came to the plate on a nals, took home a 3-2 victory game, and it was, a 3-2 wild pitch by Friedrich. against the West, as the ballgame. There are a lot of That set the stage for winners made one big rally good pitchers here, and a Raben, who fell behind in the stand up. The big outfi elder lot of good hitters, but in the count early, but hung around launched a solo homer, this league pitching is going long enough for Friedrich reached on a walk and stole to beat hitting most of the to make a mistake that he RICH MACLONE/ENTERPRISE a base in the contest, with time.” could capitalize on. Brewster’s Yonder Alonso (Miami) getting a HIgh-Five from a his round-tripper over the Falmouth’s Christian Fried- “I fell behind 0-2 to Fried- teammate at the 45th Annual Cape League All-Star game. right fi eld fence proving to rich (Eastern Kentucky) was rich, he’s a real good left- be the difference in the one- the game’s losing pitcher as handed pitcher. He’s got a run ballgame. he was touched up for three real good curveball and I The west would conjure DH Dan Brewer (Bradley), Raben also participated in runs in the top of the fourth. was just trying to battle after one up in the bottom of the of the Hyannis Mets, got the home run derby earlier in Although those would be the I fell behind 0-2,” Raben fourth to chip the east’s lead on base the hard way, by the day, fi nishing third over- only runs that the east stars said. “I fouled a couple down to two. Falmouth third getting hit in the ribs by an all. He said that his turns at- would get in the game, they of pitches off and then he baseman Conor Gillaspie Atwood fastball. The West bat during the derby got him would make them stand up. ended up leaving a fastball (Wichita State) reached on then got a run across as Ben in the right frame of mind to Friedrich fanned the fi rst up and I just got the barrel an infi eld single against Will Guez, of Bourne, drove in wow the estimated crowd of batter he faced in the fourth, on it.” Atwood (South Carolina), Hague with a single to the over 5,500. but then things began to The west would not give of Orleans. After a line out, gap in left-center to make it “Being an all-star game we unravel a bit as Yonder up by any means, but in a and fi elder’s choice, that a 3-1 game. all wanted to come out here Alonso singled into left and game in which the pitching saw Falmouth’s Matt Hague The West wasn’t done and have fun,” Raben said. then Gordan Beckham, of was as strong as it was on (Washington) replace his there. The home team would “I know that the pitchers Y-D, showed why he is one all-star night, runs would be teammate at fi rst, the west add one more in the sixth wanted to light up the radar of the favorites to be the anything but easy to come came up with a little two-out thanks to a round-tripper by guns and we wanted to do league’s MVP this summer by. magic. Continued on Page 15 Sol Yas: Driven By A Love For The Game Continued from Page 11 games, scheduling prob- game beforehand to talk to scheduled time. "Several cated to the the game, Yas fi eld conditions, umpires, lems, or discipline," he said. umpires, and ensure every- games this year couldn’t is blunt. "Some people will and player behavior. "I act as a liaison between thing is running smoothly. be completed because of say it is boring, but I say it is Three years later, he took the CBUAO and the Cape He will observe their darkness," he said, “a result fascinating," he said. "I enjoy on the role of umpire in chief, Cod Baseball League." performance during games, of starting fi ve or 10 minutes the strategy and the time- which was later renamed to Most umpires who work he said, and work on ways late.” lessness of it." director of offi ciating. league games, he said, are to fi x any problems. He also They also ask umpires to He said working in the Now he is solely respon- from the northeast, with regularly communicates make sure that at most, two league allows him to main- sible for all matters involv- experience working Division with general managers and minutes, are spent between tain that connection and be ing umpires. Over the past I, II, and III NCAA games coaches to hear their con- innings. "The umpire can do around others who share winter he helped the league throughout the country. cerns. a lot of that, but the players that same passion. negotiate a new fi ve-year Yas travels to games at The league allows them to and managers can do that And often that bond goes contract with the College least four to fi ve times a evaluate a particular um- as well," he said. beyond the diamond. The Baseball Umpires Assign- week. He focuses strictly pire’s performance in writing, In addition to his duties as grandfather of two, Adrian, ing Organization (CBUAO), on the teams in the western which Yas will review and director of offi ciating, Yas 9, and Griffi n, 5, Yas has also which is run by Nick Zibelli. division: Bourne, Falmouth, discuss with the appropriate administers the home run devoted himself to another "I work with him on all mat- Wareham, Cotuit, and Hyan- personnel. hitting contest at the All Star cause: fi ghting autism, which ters, whether it is assigning nis. He said he arrives at the One of Yas’ biggest Game. It is one of the perks Adrian suffers from. struggles with the league is of his job, he said, that he Last year, he walked in something that is found at all has been doing since 2002, Boston to raise money for a !RT #AMP GLMPHVIR YRHIV levels: the pace of the game. when Matt Murton, who is cure for the disease. Along 7ORKSHOPS &!-),9 $!9 "MLB has tried for decades now with the Chicago Cubs, with friends and family, &VMRK8LI/MHW &2%% to wrestle with the problem," won the crown. "That is a were "people I had never 4REASURE (UNT !UGUST EHYPXW EHQMWWMSR MRXLI+EPPIVMIW F]HSREXMSR8LYVWHE] he said. "They haven’t suc- fun event," he said. asked to participate, peo- ceeded. It is a problem we Though baseball is clearly ple that I played ball with, FIEYX] MRWTMVEXMSR GSQQYRMX] IRVMGLMRK SYV PMZIW are going to struggle with for his love, Yas also has an- umpired with, and worked as long as I can see and one other: his wife of 41-years, with in the Cape League," not easily remedied." Susan. Thankfully, he said, he said. One approach the league "she is a big baseball fan. I Sometimes sports tran- ,34)0%2)3**6398)%()22-7 uses to counteract this, he am away a lot and she has scends life, and on that day, 132(%=8,697%896(%=792(%=[[[GGQSESVK said, is to make sure games been supportive of me." and in fact, everyday, for Sol to start at their regularly As to why he is so dedi- Yas it truly does. Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 13 The Long Road Home Cape League Legend Pat Hope’s Life Has Finally Come Full Circle
BY MATTHEW M. BURKE eighth on the OSU staff Now rotations feature fi ve it was going to be another till the fi rst part of August, In 1987, a young righty heading into his sophomore or six starters. He said that record every night. That I threw 25 complete games from Oklahoma State with a season. By the end he was pitchers today don’t throw was by far the best I ever (12 at Oklahoma State),” he nasty knuckle-curve drove the number one pitcher, with the amount of innings that pitched. I think the wood bat said. “That’s a lot of pitching, all the way to the Cape after a fastball, slider, a nasty 84- Hope threw. helped quite a bit.” but I didn’t want to come losing the fi nal game in the 85 MPH knuckle curve, and Wylde added that Hope Hope said that he wanted out. I was that guy.” College World Series in a change-up. put the Gatemen away, “27 the ball everyday in the sum- Hope also pitched one Omaha to Stanford, 9-5. Pat fi rst came to the Cape up and 27 down on that mer of 1987. He added that inning of the Cape League Several days later, he was following his sophomore day.” Hope said that future he had never been healthier All-Star game that year in on the bump for the Hyannis season when Oklahoma Major Leaguer Albert Belle and he was throwing very Fenway Park, something Mets, starting what would State assistant coach Dave helped make the feat pos- hard. Everything went so that, despite his injury short- become arguably one of the Holiday, now a national sible with a diving catch well that, he said, that it’s ened career; nobody can most dominating summers scouting supervisor for the to keep the perfect game hard to remember a lot of it. ever take away from him, he for any pitcher in league his- Colorado Rockies, asked going, amongst other spec- Now he feels that he might said. Pat was named to the tory. him to come play for him in tacular plays that were made have taken some of it for CCBL All-Star Team in 1987 However, after tearing his Hyannis. He said that it was by his supporting cast. Sub- granted at the time, but he and also was named to the rotator cuff in two places, one of the best decisions he sequently, the Mets featured just never thought that the All-League Team. He was and losing his velocity upon had ever made. several future fi rst round wave of success he was rid- named the Cape’s outstand- making a comeback, the “I have nothing but full draft choices that year. ing would ever end. ing pitcher. Pat currently pitcher struggled with alco- respect for that league, and Hope said that while he “From the end of February Continued on Page 15 holism and the fact that a how they run it ... and the was warming up prior to his potentially successful Major talent level that they have up perfect performance, he felt League career with the Min- there,” he said. “You’re basi- the worst he had felt all sum- nesota Twins had passed cally watching AA baseball mer long, yet his catcher told him by. up there. The people treat him that he was throwing the Now the right-hander is a you so well. Gosh, I came hardest he had thrown all recovering alcoholic, and is back for the induction in summer. raising his four boys in Tulsa 2004, and that was 15-16 Early on, during the perfect with his loving wife Barb. He years after I had been there, game, Hope threw inside has come to terms with his and these people treated to a Wareham hitter that he addiction, and his past, and me like I never left. It was had problems with, several plans on making a trium- wonderful.” times, trying to brush him phant return to the Cape, According to the league’s back or hit him. He missed in the near future, to talk to head statistician, and Gen- and eventually ended up the players about staying eral Manager of the Ware- getting the player out. straight, and not delving into ham Gatemen, John Wylde, Halfway through the game, the dark side of substance Pat fi nished the 1987 Cape Hope didn’t want to risk hit- abuse should one of the League season with an 11-1 ting this player, thus break- Cape’s summer stars burn record, a wins record that ing up the perfect game, so out prematurely. stands to this day. He had a he had to continue to pitch Meet Pat Hope, a 2004 in- low 2.27 ERA, in 13 appear- to the player despite their ductee into the Cape League ances, including a league bad blood. Hall of Fame, and the fi rst, record 13 complete games. When Hope completed the and only, Cape Leaguer in Pat pitched 115 innings, CCBL’s only perfect game over 100 years of history to giving up 89 hits, 37 runs in history, the Wareham pitch a perfect game. (29 of which were earned), nine-hole-hitter, whom Hope Hope’s last name is fi tting, 27 walks, and he struck out had tried to hit, was the fi rst because that’s just what the 96. The Mets lost in the fi rst person to congratulate him. Cape’s all-time wins leader, round of the playoffs to Y-D Hope said that it was an and complete games leader, two games to none. unbelievable moment. plans to bring to kids who Wylde said that he would He still keeps the original otherwise might have strug- never forget Hope because scorecard, something that gled with being so close to he pitched the league’s only he said he will donate to fame and fortune, should it perfect game in its history the Baseball Hall of Fame in unfortunately pass them by. against his Wareham Gate- Cooperstown, New York for “What I’m noticing more men that season, a team that their Cape League exhibit and more is that the younger included future AL MVP Mo when it opens. He has been kids are a lot more messed Vaughn. asked for it several times. up than it used to be when Wylde said that Hope’s re- “I just felt like, all sum- I was younger,” Hope said cords would probably never mer, I couldn’t do anything last week when reached by be broken because Holiday wrong,” he said of the sum- DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE phone while traveling on used a three-man pitching mer of 1987. “Every time I J.B. Shuck (Ohio State) delivers for the Kettleers. Shuck has business. “They drink a lot rotation that summer, some- took the ball and went to the a 3-1 record and an ERA of 2.82 entering the fi nal week of the more, they party a lot more, thing that is not done today. mound it was basically like summer season. and they do a lot more. They’re coming into col- lege messed up, whereas we used to get into college ##", 0LAYERS and then get messed up. So [speaking to kids] is going 0,!9 YOUR 0%23/.!, "%34 !,7!93 to be a positive thing for me, and its going to be a posi- !RAS 4RANSPORTATION 4OURS tive thing for kids. I’m gonna spend some time and help Your .ANTUCKET 'UIDE some other people.” ARASTOURSCOM Prior to coming to the Cape, Hope played in Alaska, and was ranked 33 +7**0.)8(43*[&3>5:7(-&8* 14 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007 Hyannis Broadcasting Intern Has Major League Dreams
BY CHRISTOPHER KAZARIAN is doing play-by-play, with didn't say it was housed." Teixeira or Kevin Millwood, should focus on the game," Answering phones, making only their voices to paint the Before each game, Chris but longtime radio announc- he said. coffee, running petty er- picture for those tuning in said, he prepares by por- er Eric Nadel, and television It is advice he takes to rands. None of these things online at www.hyannismets. ing over statistics, watching broadcaster Josh Lewin, for heart as he admits he is still are on 17-year-old Chris org. batting practice, and talk- the Texas Rangers, as well learning the craft. This is the Blake’s list of tasks to do That, for Chris, is what he ing with players to see how as Vince Catronio, who now second year that Blake has as an intern for the Hyannis thrives on. If given a choice, they are feeling and get their broadcasts for the Oakland been broadcasting collegiate Mets. he would much rather use thoughts on the opponent. A’s. level games. Like many who come his words to paint the scene With the Mets, he said, His all-time favorite, he Last year he spent the to the Cape Cod Baseball than rely on the comforts outfi elder Dan Brown (Brad- said, "would have to be Vin summer doing play-by-play League, Chris is here to one of television. "I love radio ley), third baseman James Scully. He is defi nitely the for the Denton Outlaws in day be in the major leagues, because you get to really Darnell (South Carolina), and best." the Texas Collegiate Summer but not as a player, as a describe what you see," he Matt Daly (Hawaii) always His early exposure to the League. broadcaster. said. "You really get to set are generous with their time, game has given Chris a head "That was a lot of fun," A freshman-to-be at the stage with radio, unlike providing Chris with stories start on many of his peers. he said, before adding "the Texas Christian University, television, that is always he can go to during a lull in Armed with his own tape re- equipment was not nearly as Chris will be majoring in interrupted with promotions the action. corder, Chris said, he would good as it is here. Plus there broadcast journalism. On and advertising." As a result, he said, often do his own play-by- were more local players this Friday night, however, On the mic, Chris’ com- it made Daly’s no-hitter play while watching games there. The talent level overall he is not worried about fort level belies his youth. against Wareham last week from the press box. is defi nitely better up here." schoolwork, he is simply After Yonder Alonso (Miami), all the more thrilling for At home, he often turns This summer, he said, he concerned about the ac- of the Whitecaps, ropes a Blake. That was not only a the sound off on the tele- has gained a wealth of expe- tion on the fi eld between single in the fi rst, Chris talks fi rst for Daly at this level, but vision, and becomes the rience from his colleagues, the Mets and the Brewster about the respect the all-star for Blake as well. "That was announcer. Although he the players, and the level of Whitecaps. fi rst baseman receives from the fi rst time I called a no- admitted that it is awkward competition in the league. It is minutes before game his teammates and oppo- hitter," he said. "It was pretty listening to himself, he will The feedback from fans, he time and Chris is scram- nents. exciting. A no-hitter at any go over the tape and "see said, has been wonderful. bling to deal with a slight When his counterpart, level is a pretty big deal." what I’m doing good or Mostly it is from the parents technical glitch that will Cabral, jumped the gun and This is coming from some- bad." of players who have been leave the Texas native and called a deep hit into left one who has been around He has been lucky enough positive about his work, he his broadcast partner, John fi eld by catcher Dale Corn- baseball his whole life. His to have his own work cri- said. Cabral, a recent graduate stubble a home run, Blake father is John Blake, the tiqued by those he aspires He has plans of com- from UMass-Dartmouth, with playfully teased him when media relations director for to be. He gave the Rang- ing back in subsequent no streaming video for fans it fell inside the park for a the Boston Red Sox. ers’ broadcasters a CD of summers to continue his listening to the game online. double. "You were a little Prior to coming to the Red his work and they provided broadcasting on the Cape. It leaves Chris, the color premature with the home run Sox, John held the same suggestions, which he said, Combined with four years analyst, and Cabral, who call," he said. "At least you position for 20 years with the have been helpful to his own broadcasting games for the Texas Rangers. Watching development. Horned Frogs, Blake said, Rangers games live from the Their advice included such the next four years "will be press box, there is no won- hints as constantly mention- four years that I will get to /PSUI'BMNPVUI)BSEXBSF4UPSF der Chris considers baseball ing the score of the game practice." 'PSBMMZPVS-BXO(BSEFOBOE)BSEXBSFOFFET his favorite sport. "I’ve been and "always knowing the It is practice that he hopes t1BJOU1BJOU4VQQMJFTt&MFDUSJDBM4VQQMJFT around ballparks my whole situation of the game. If it will one day help him reach life," he said. is in the later innings, you the major leagues in a press t)PVTFIPME(PPETt1MVNCJOH4VQQMJFT His heroes are not Mark shouldn’t tell stories, you box, not unlike his father. t4DSFFO3FQBJSt.BSJOFt'JTIJOH5BDLMF t-BXO(BSEFOt4IBSQFOJOH4FSWJDF BOE.PSF $PVOUZ3PBEt/PSUI'BMNPVUI .0/%":ʰ4"563%":".ʰ1. 46/%":".ʰ1.
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Dibuibn Csfxtufs Ibsxjdi! Cbtt!Sjwfs! Nbzàpxfs! Dpuvju Dipdpmbuf Cfssz Ib{fmovu Cmbdlcfssz Npdib Dpggff CHRISTOPHER KAZARIAN/ENTERPRISE Hyannis Mets’ internet broadcasters John Cabral and Chris Blake between innings at a recent game. Thursday, August 2, 2007 SUMMER STARS 15
Raben Leads East To All-Star Victory Cape League Legend Pat Hope
Continued from Page 12 closes for the team with the when he took the hill to start Continued from Page 13 James Darnell (South Caro- best record in all the Cape the game for the West and holds Mets team records for most wins, best winning lina), of Hyannis. The third League, faced fi ve batters he made the most of his percentage (.916), most complete games, most innings baseman, who came in to re- in the third, giving up two chance, channeling Pedro pitched, most strikeouts, and is tied for the most no-hit- place Gillaspie at the hot cor- hits, but stranding both Martinez circa 1999 at the ters (1). ner, smoked an offering out runners. He had one strike- Fenway Park All-Star game. After his magical season Hope returned to Oklahoma to the opposite fi eld against out. Friedrich got the loss Crow fanned all three bat- State and was chosen to play for Team USA. Half way Harwich’s shaggy closer, Evan for the West team after his ters he faced in the game, through the Intercontinental Cup games in Cuba he Crawford (Auburn). rough inning. setting down Cole Figueroa started to feel a “twinge” in his shoulder. He said that it That would be it offen- Although he did not fac- (Florida), of Harwich, Collin started getting more and more sore. He pitched the 1988 sively, though, for the West. tor in the fi nal decision, the Cowgill (Kentucky), of Y-D, season despite the pain, and he fi nished the year after Over the fi nal three innings pitcher that seemed to make and Alonso in succession. doctors in Alabama could fi nd nothing wrong with him. the East pitching staff would the biggest impact, at least The fi rst two batters stared Hope had lost his velocity at this point, but he kept pitch- give up just one more base in the eyes of the Major at strike three while Alonso ing, and he still went 11-1 as a junior at OSU. hit, a single by Brewer League scouts that voted on swung and missed. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 33rd with two down in the ninth the two MVP awards, was Crow said that he enjoyed round (857th pick overall) soon after and they told him to against Orleans’ electric the West’s starting pitcher, his brief stint in the spotlight get surgery. Hope said that two tears were found in his closer Ryan Perry (Arizona). Aaron Crow, of the Falmouth as he threw the fi rst pitches rotator cuff. Despite intensive rehab, his velocity never Nick Cassavechia, of the Commodores and the Uni- of the game. “It felt great got back up past 82-83 MPH, which is not enough to be Y-D Red Sox and Baylor versity of Missouri. and everything was going effective on the Major League level. University, was the win- Crow obviously had high my way tonight, it seemed,” “That was pretty much it,” he said. “My baseball career ning pitcher for the East amounts of adrenaline he said. “It was fun, it was a was pretty much over. [But] I wouldn’t trade anything I did squad. Cassavechia, who pumping through his veins great experience.” for anything in the world, and I wouldn’t change anything I did ... It took a long time to get to that attitude but that’s Murton Takes HR where I’m at right now.” Derby With Style Hope said that today parents come up to him to ask if he thinks that their child has the talent to play in the Ma- BY RICH MACLONE jor Leagues. He said that he suggests to them to concen- Luke Murton did not just trate on making the high school team fi rst, and instead of win the Home Run Hitting trying to go to a Division I school for athletics, to concen- Contest on Saturday at the trate on academics fi rst, even if it means getting school Cape League all-star game, paid for at a junior college. he did it with style. Murton This, he said, is the work that he feels that he can do to crushed the competition, help kids. besting defending champion Hope, who is currently selling sporting goods, wants to Mitch Moreland, of Bourne, speak to kids about setting themselves up for the future by jacking a total of 22 balls and to watch out for distractions. He wants to tell kids to out of the park, a good deal watch out for drugs and alcohol as they get into college. of which left the premises Next year he is planning a two-week trip to the Cape to and found their way to the show his sons the league, something he says that he will parking lot. do every year. He said that he is in a point in his life and Murton hit them into the in his family’s lives where that trip is possible. stands. He hit them over the RICH MACLONE/ENTERPRISE He hopes to speak to all of the teams in the Cape stands. He hit them out to A representative of Cape League sponsor Under Armour and League about their health, their priorities, and their lives, left, and to center. He even Deputy Commissioner Sol Yas present Wareham’s Luke Mur- in hopes of saving them the pain that he experienced. hit one that bounced off the ton (Georgia Tech) with a bat commemorating his Home Run “It was a magical summer,” he said. “There’s some stuff top of the Wareham High Derby championship. up there that I did that will probably stay up there forever. School football press box. I have memories that will [last] forever ... I’d like to maybe The event was over after and win it. It was my fi rst it was simple. “My game plan do something with the Cape League. Come up there in Murton had hit his eighth home run derby ever, so it was to just swing hard,” he the summer time, when I’m up there and just talk to the homer of the fi nals, and he was fun.” joked afterward. “I wanted to kids. That’s what I’d like to do.” could have called it a day. As for how he did the deed, get the ball up into the air.” But, again, Murton did it with style as he gave in to popu- lar demand and just kept swinging, hitting out four more before he fi nally made his last out. The funny thing is, he could have had a whole lot more on the day. He ad- vanced to the fi nals by jack- ing out 11 in the fi rst round. He had only made four outs at that point, but he had enough to advance and the Cape League offi cials simply did not have all day. Murton became the fi rst sibling of a past home run derby contest to win one himself. His older brother, Matt, who played for Ware- ham in 2001 and 2002, won the ’02 contest. Luke said it was an honor to share the crown with his brother. “That’s pretty neat,” he said. “Matt said to go out 16 SUMMER STARS Thursday, August 2, 2007
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