Mace’s Place

The first two games of the season have come and gone, and the Chicago Athletics are 2-0. Opening night, with bases loaded and one out in the 3rd, I got the nod to relieve our starter. After two quick outs, I stopped ‘em and we were back at the plate. The 4th inning was a little rough but I found the plate eventually, though I gave up two runs. I went back out and shut ‘em back down in the 5th. A few others took the mound after I did, but I earned the win against the Mariners. At the plate, I walked in my only at bat. The batter after me crushed a ball down the right field line and I was thrown out at the plate. Nothing like a 1st to home to say “welcome back to baseball, Mace.”

Last night, we faced the Lobos and didn’t have much trouble beating them 12-3. I played 3B and 2B, but again only got one plate appearance. I grounded into a fielders choice to end the inning. My parents and Jen came to watch so I thank them. Hope it wasn’t too cold for you guys. It’s nice to have the opportunity to not only play again, but play in front of people I know again.

It was 8 years ago this week that a great friend of mine and many, Evar Corradini, passed away. Every year around this time, I like to remember some of the good times and great stories involving him. Here are a few:

• It was high school baseball and I was a sophomore, he a senior. It was a pretty big deal for me because I made the varsity team. Before practice, a few of us would drive to the back of the high school to pick up the equipment to take out to the field. I turn the corner and go to park in the parking spot and that’s when Evar introduced me to Ronnie. See, Ronnie was Evar’s jock strap. He used to work at McDonald’s and he took an iron-on Ronald McDonald patch and applied to the ol’ cup holder. So, when I turned into the spot, Evar stood there in nothing but his practice jersey and his jock.
• That same season, we were playing against Vicksburg in a huge game. Vicksburg always was a top team in the conference, as were we. Well, the Bulldogs had some hotshot pitcher on the mound who had a full-ride scholarship to some out-of-state private school and that was the big talk before the game. In true Comstock fashion though, we got in his head and the kid didn’t like us, especially Evar. Evar was the guy everyone loved on your team but hated playing against him. That game, the pitcher hit our 2 through 6 batters… including Evar twice. One of the times Evar was hit, it was one of the most classic bean ball moments I’ve ever seen. He got drilled in the arm and at first didn’t react, just sort of stood there in the batter’s box. Then he brushed his arm off a little bit, said “damn mosquitoes,” and went on his way to first. Our entire dugout couldn’t stop laughing. Maybe that’s why he got hit that second time.
• Summer baseball after my sophomore year was one of the best summers I can remember. It was mainly the varsity team except for those that went on to try to play for other traveling teams to increase their odds at scholarships. Our team was led by guys like Evar, myself, Bobby Loer, etc. Needless to say, we weren’t taking things too seriously. One game, we apparently weren’t taking it serious enough for Coach Moyer (also the dad of one of our teammates). Evar and I were screwing around as usual during the game when Moyer grabbed me in the dugout, staring at me face-to-face with less than a foot between us and yelled, “Do you want to play baseball or funny games?!” I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. As I’m trying to keep a serious face, I glance over Moyer’s shoulder and see Evar laughing and pointing at me from just a couple feet away. I blew up laughing and tried to say the word “baseball” to the best of my ability.

Good times, Evar. You are extremely missed.

Congrats to Chad Howard who tied with Travis Law in overall points, but his tie-breaker of 50 correct games versus Trav’s 48 made him the winner of my 15th Annual NCAA Pool. Here’s how the Top 10 rounded out.

1. Chad Howard - 144 (50)
2. Travis Law - 144 (48)
3. Katy Seward - 142
4. Melissa Strzelinski - 135
5. Shirley Everett - 132 (48)
6. Matt Carlisle - 132 (44)
7. Mark Overhuel - 131
8. Steve Jacob - 126
9. Lisa Nelson - 124
10t. Pat Riley - 113 (45)
10t. Jen Zalon - 113 (45)

And in case you’re wondering, I took a miserable 28th place out of 33 entries. Blah.