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A Peek Into the Future
The
poor saps who didn't get to the All-Star Weekend missed more than
Joey Creighton's fourth consecutive homerun derby title (yawn).
They missed more than the KGJ giving the WB league their first scare
in a great amount of innings. They missed more than the most impressive
pitcher's dual in recent years during the All-Star Game's 2-0, 6-inning
story. They missed more than Darnell Uhland, mic in hand, waking
up the neighbors with his spirited calling of the homeruns during
the celeb derby.
What
they missed, and those in attendance will attest to this, was Dave
Cain's display in the final round of the above-mentioned derby.
And to think the fireworks didn't really start until AFTER he had
officially won the thing.
Dave
did what no one until then was able to do: he got the fans on their
feet. WB2K2 isn't exactly known for rambunctious fans who watch
with keen intent on the goings-on in the field. It isn't their style.
Homerun derbies will go on, games will go on, batting practice will
go on, you name it, and anyone sitting in the partitioned area of
the Creighton's front yard (or elsewhere) will hardly bat an eyelash
as they keep themselves busy with idle chatter, food consumption,
or regailings of the night before.
Dave
changed all that.
I
mean, it's not like nothing had happened before it. Joey Creighton
perked some interest when he hit 18 homeruns in the league derby,
breaking the record by 7. But even he could plainly see fans
with their back turned, waiting for their chance to play. Timmy
Hoerl surprised not only all his KGJ brethren, but even himself
with his 12-homer display in the first-round of the derby. However,
it was only met with modest applause and a good deal of indifference
from those outside the KGJ (I mean, he hit more than everyone in
OUR league but Scott or Joey, why should we acknowledge it?) Anthony
Grant, with a swing that you wouldn't think capable of doing so,
hit a shot that would have hit the garage in left had it been down.
Did anyone notice? Only Morrison, who was responsible for measuring
the shot (110 feet, thank you very much).
But
all that changed after Dave Cain won the derby, but elected to keep
going until he ran out of outs. The fans perked up. He's not
quitting? He's going for Joey's fresh new record? Wow, he's not
even in the league! Then he started swinging the bat, seemingly
with more force than ever before. Wow, he's raising his nose
to the league! Who does this guy think he is? Then he started
connecting. One shot hits the roof and pulls Eric Christensen (the
cameraman) out of his seat. A couple swings later, and he hits the
roof AGAIN. BOOM! He just hit the fence that leads to the Creighton's
backyard. A keen ear could hear Clint Wattenberg, completely forgetting
his disapointing 3-homer effort in the derby, remark "wow,
almost in the backyard." Micro-seconds later, as if he heard
Clint, Dave sent one over the fence and into the backyard. Few seconds
later, he hits the house. Few seconds later, he hits the NEIGHBOR'S
house (only one other player had ever done that). Then he hits the
Creighton's porch, missing the roof only because his shot wasn't
pulled enough. At this point, EVERYONE was standing, fighting for
a better view of the carnage. EVERYONE was watching. Roughly two-thirds
of the attendance stood with their mouths open, even those who had
no idea that the roof had previously been hit only TWICE in the
league's history. They could tell this guy was making history. Only
one woman sat out in the crowd, but you couldn't tell if you closed
your eyes, as fans and players alike giggled like little girls at
the amazing display. Soon people noticed he was closing in on the
18 Joey had hit only half an hour ago. And don't be fooled into
thinking they weren't pulling for him. Everyone in attendance wanted
him to hit #19. With shots like that, it was the least he deserved.
However,
it wasn't to be, as Dave grounded a scorcher to end his run and
begin the loudest ovation a participant received. He tied Joey Creighton
in his very first trip to the plate with with fans he didn't know
in the crowd. Darnell Uhland had a good idea of what was to come
before it started. He nicknamed Dave "The Savior." After
Dave had about 13 homeruns in that final round, John Jaha yelled
out "Anthony who?" in regards to Anthony Sanzone, Darnell's
#1 draft pick who was disappeared off the face of the earth. It
could have been worse. We
could have been saying "Joey who?"
But
hey, Dave's career is just beginning, we have plenty of time for
that.
This
is the Doctor, signing off.
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