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Under Attack
It's 9:55pm. I'm on the phone, hoping to get a hold
of Luke Carriere. This will be my fourth try in three days. Finally,
the man who led this year's Winterball session in home runs, batting
average, doubles and a handful of other categories, answers the
phone. The interview is on.
Ever since his return at Winterball, people have become scared.
Scared of what? Power! That is a frightening word right now in California.
Power. People don't want to talk about it. They don't want to mention
the code-three crisis right now. They want to go back to the good
old days when they could live with comfort. Well, come March 24th,
power is back.
As I speak with him on the phone, I notice the subtle cockiness.
He knows people are expecting him to lead The Road Warriors to the
playoffs. He knows people are expecting to him to jack many long
balls out of yard. Does this faze him? Not at all.
"I'm looking to finish with the highest average and the most homeruns,"
he says, implying that there is no reason to expect less. I ask
about the doubles record. He did after all hit three doubles in
his eleven at-bats in Winterball.
"What's the record?" he asks.
"10 in a season," I reply.
"Oh yeah, I'll take that."
What kind of attitude is this? "Oh yeah, I'll take that". Does he
know the game? He surely must be some sort of rookie who doesn't
appreciate all the records. But that's not the case.
Luke debuted in the league in 1996 when Water Baseball
was being played. Just like today, Luke showed he had a knack for
the long ball. He hit 13 in 95 at-bats. He broke the record back
then for doubles, hitting nine. Again, this is in only 95 at-bats.
It would take the league two more years to break that record, with
Joey Creighton snagging 10 doubles in 148 at-bats.
Luke would play two more years (1998 and 1999) before leaving Chico
to play college baseball in Oregon. There, he played with major
success, before deciding to join the Chico State baseball team,
the were 1999 Division II NCAA baseball champions. However, a roadblock
got in Luke's way and for the 2001 year, Luke will not be stepping
onto the field in a Chico State uniform.
This could not have made Terry Creighton any happier. Ever since
knowing that he was going to be the captain of the fifth team, he
knew he had to draft wisely.
"I wanted a player who could put fear into the other team. Names
like Yoder and Walsh were being tossed around, but they didn't feel
like much of a threat. When Luke Carriere played at Winterball,
everything changed…everything."
Terry would go on to draft Luke first overall in the draft despite
knowing Luke's summer plans.
People are discussing The Holy Whites and Carmichael.
Or they'll mention how bad Wiffolution 51 is. The Road Warriors
are never the topic of choice for playoffs. Why is this? Luke Carriere
is claiming the world this season, and no one gives a damn! Critics
thrive on this! Take a player who claims a lot, and when he doesn't
succeed, kick him while he's down.
"I have a feeling they know not to go against me" Luke tells me,
referring to the silent critics right now. "But nevertheless, I'm
ready to show some people what's up"
As I continue the discussion with Luke about the upcoming season,
I notice the team player show up. When asked if he's just going
to be hitting homeruns all season, he responds, "Whatever the team
needs, I'll do it. Go opposite way, whatever, just get the runners
home." Kind of odd hearing this from the man who states that he
is going to break the homerun record.
It's a different season for WB2k1, though. It's not about personal
stats anymore. Scott Carmichael and Joey Creighton have been trying
to top each other each year, but now, after seven years, it's a
different game. It's a team game. Much like the team game played
in Oregon, where Luke Carriere had been the previous two years.
So there he is, Luke Carriere, in color, for the world to see. Power
is back on the 24th. Teammate Darnel Uhland could not be more happy,
while on the other side, guys like Jordan Lockhart are a little
worried. Jordan stated that he fears "big homerun hitters like Carriere"
in my interview with him. What about Carmichael I ask. Jordan replies,
"Who?"
Exactly.
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