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vrobx1 · 02-16-2018, 01:59 PM

That night, the Phillies won their sixth in a row, beating us 8-4.

The next morning, I called home, I called Beth, I called Coach Cummings.

"I'm starting today. Yeah, in Philadelphia. Yeah, I am excited! Scared too. Yeah, the Phillies are tough. It's a day game."

My first ever start in the majors.

One by one, my teammates came to give me an extra pat on the back. Gwynn. McReynolds. Oberkfell. Speier. Even grouchy Ozzie Guillen. And, of course, Santiago.

"Okay, let's get the kid some runs," Willie McGee shouted as he went to lead off the game.

And promptly grounded out.

After we didn't score in the first, I headed to the mound.

"Just pitch your game," Santiago said. "You'll be fine."

He put down the number 1.

Fastball.

I rared back with everything I had.

Oh it was just a little bit outside.

Strike one!

I hope Blue gives me that much leeway all night!

Juan Samuel then swung at a low 0-2 slider and flew out to center.

Yes.

Out number one.

The Phillies would get a single in the first but nothing more.

In the top of the second, Bennie mashed a solo home run. After he rounded the bases, he tapped me on the chest back in the dugout.

"That was for you, James."

The top of the second ended with me grounding to second.

Still looking for my first major league hit.

Starting the second inning, I struck out Ken Griffey Sr. After four straight fastballs, Bennie called for the curve and Griffey whiffed, thinking another fastball was coming.

Tim Wallach, though, hit a one out triple and scored on a groundout.

I ended the second striking out Tim Laudner.

"Dang it! I can't believe I did that."

"We'll get it back, James." Gwynn said.

"You just get ready to pitch the third," Speier chimed in.

It was Kevin McReynolds who got it back, hitting a two-run shot in the top of the third.

I took the mound in the bottom of the third with a 3-1 lead.

Their pitcher led off and I got my third strikeout of the game.

Juan Samuel singled and then Chili Davis hit a double with two out to bring him home. But I got Dwight Evans to ground back to me to end the inning with us on top 3-2.

Bennie led off the top of the fourth with a double and then Speier brought him home with a one out single.

My catcher making sure I get plenty of run support.

Thank you Bennie.

I came up to bat next and struck out trying to execute the sacrifice bunt.

Is there an award for the worst hitting pitcher in all of baseball?

I got into a jam in the bottom of the fourth. A single and a walk to get things started. But a lineout and popout suddenly brought their pitcher up with two outs.

I don't think I threw a strike the entire at bat but he swung at an inside fastball on a full count to strike out and I had gotten out of the jam.

My guys kept adding runs to my support. Ozzie scored on a passed ball in the top of the fifth and we led 5-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, I faced Davis again with a runner on second but struck him out this time as he was fooled by a low curve. Dwight Evans then grounded out to end this inning.

The Phillies went down in order in the sixth.

I led off the top of the seventh batting, meaning I wasn't in danger of being pulled just yet. I just swung at the first pitch and...

Crack!

Holy sh....

I almost forgot to run as the ball traveled into the outfield and over the center fielder's head. I hit first. "Keep going!" the first base coach yelled! I rounded first and headed towards second and slid in....

Safe!

...with a double.

My first ever professional base hit!

How you like them apples!

I panted a little bit as Willie McGee worked the count to 2-2. I am not used to running. Willie then grounded the ball down the first base line and I moved to third as Willie was thrown out.

Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?

Ozzie was next and he fell behind 1-2 before grounding a base hit under Samuel's glove.

And I had scored a run!

The guys on the team really mobbed me after that one.

"We might have to use you as a pinch hitter when you're not pitching," Kruk joked.

I headed to the mound with a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh. I was still a bit winded and missed three straight times and Bennie came out to the mound.

"Just take a deep breath, James. Take your time."

Alas, I walked him on five pitches.

But, once the next batter grounded to first, I caught my second wind and finished off the inning.

My day was done. George Hendrick pinch hit for me in the eighth.

The Phillies got a run in the ninth but we won 6-3.

The clubhouse was a rowdy party.

"Welcome to the big leagues, James!"

"That's showing them, James!"

"We got a future star superstar here!"

"Hey, James!" Manager Dick Williams. "The tv crew wants to talk to you!"

Oh wow...

It is a league-wide custom to have a local tv station send a crew to away games to televise the action. They don't show home games because they want you to attend, But they will show away games that you can't attend.

And will use them to promote home games so that you will come out to the ballpark.

"Robert James. Your first career start and you got the win. How are you feeling right now?"

"I am honestly on Cloud Nine right now. I got to give credit to my teammates. They backed me on defense and really came through with the run support."

"You didn't do too bad, yourself. A double and a run scored. What was that like for you?"

"I hate running bases. That's tiring!"

"You came out and got the win and ended the Phillies six game winning streak."

"We came out and got the win. As a team. Because that is what we are. We are a team! A team who wants to bring the first ever division title to the city of San Diego!"

"Thank you for joining us and congratulations again on a great performance."

"Thank you."

As we dispersed from Veterans Stadium, Coach Jackson patted me on the back.

"Okay, James, you head back to San Diego and the training staff working on your arm for your next start."

"I'm not going to New York?"

"Nope. You're not going to be needed there."

Life as the number five starter.

I wondered if someone had a video tape of my game today. I could send my parents and Beth and Coach Cummings a copy.

And my buddy in the military.

I packed up my bags and checked out of my room and headed to the airport. I could be back in San Diego and get a couple extra hours of daylight thanks to the time zone changes.

I got my ticket and sat down with some people who had no idea who I was and watched television while I waited for my call to board.

"Once again, Iranian military aircraft has attacked an American frigate, killing thirty-seven Navy personnel."

Oh my God....

02-16-2018, 01:59 PM	#162
vrobx1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,430	That night, the Phillies won their sixth in a row, beating us 8-4. The next morning, I called home, I called Beth, I called Coach Cummings. "I'm starting today. Yeah, in Philadelphia. Yeah, I am excited! Scared too. Yeah, the Phillies are tough. It's a day game." My first ever start in the majors. One by one, my teammates came to give me an extra pat on the back. Gwynn. McReynolds. Oberkfell. Speier. Even grouchy Ozzie Guillen. And, of course, Santiago. "Okay, let's get the kid some runs," Willie McGee shouted as he went to lead off the game. And promptly grounded out. After we didn't score in the first, I headed to the mound. "Just pitch your game," Santiago said. "You'll be fine." He put down the number 1. Fastball. I rared back with everything I had. Oh it was just a little bit outside. Strike one! I hope Blue gives me that much leeway all night! Juan Samuel then swung at a low 0-2 slider and flew out to center. Yes. Out number one. The Phillies would get a single in the first but nothing more. In the top of the second, Bennie mashed a solo home run. After he rounded the bases, he tapped me on the chest back in the dugout. "That was for you, James." The top of the second ended with me grounding to second. Still looking for my first major league hit. Starting the second inning, I struck out Ken Griffey Sr. After four straight fastballs, Bennie called for the curve and Griffey whiffed, thinking another fastball was coming. Tim Wallach, though, hit a one out triple and scored on a groundout. I ended the second striking out Tim Laudner. "Dang it! I can't believe I did that." "We'll get it back, James." Gwynn said. "You just get ready to pitch the third," Speier chimed in. It was Kevin McReynolds who got it back, hitting a two-run shot in the top of the third. I took the mound in the bottom of the third with a 3-1 lead. Their pitcher led off and I got my third strikeout of the game. Juan Samuel singled and then Chili Davis hit a double with two out to bring him home. But I got Dwight Evans to ground back to me to end the inning with us on top 3-2. Bennie led off the top of the fourth with a double and then Speier brought him home with a one out single. My catcher making sure I get plenty of run support. Thank you Bennie. I came up to bat next and struck out trying to execute the sacrifice bunt. Is there an award for the worst hitting pitcher in all of baseball? I got into a jam in the bottom of the fourth. A single and a walk to get things started. But a lineout and popout suddenly brought their pitcher up with two outs. I don't think I threw a strike the entire at bat but he swung at an inside fastball on a full count to strike out and I had gotten out of the jam. My guys kept adding runs to my support. Ozzie scored on a passed ball in the top of the fifth and we led 5-2. In the bottom of the fifth, I faced Davis again with a runner on second but struck him out this time as he was fooled by a low curve. Dwight Evans then grounded out to end this inning. The Phillies went down in order in the sixth. I led off the top of the seventh batting, meaning I wasn't in danger of being pulled just yet. I just swung at the first pitch and... Crack! Holy sh.... I almost forgot to run as the ball traveled into the outfield and over the center fielder's head. I hit first. "Keep going!" the first base coach yelled! I rounded first and headed towards second and slid in.... Safe! ...with a double. My first ever professional base hit! How you like them apples! I panted a little bit as Willie McGee worked the count to 2-2. I am not used to running. Willie then grounded the ball down the first base line and I moved to third as Willie was thrown out. Isn't that supposed to be the other way around? Ozzie was next and he fell behind 1-2 before grounding a base hit under Samuel's glove. And I had scored a run! The guys on the team really mobbed me after that one. "We might have to use you as a pinch hitter when you're not pitching," Kruk joked. I headed to the mound with a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh. I was still a bit winded and missed three straight times and Bennie came out to the mound. "Just take a deep breath, James. Take your time." Alas, I walked him on five pitches. But, once the next batter grounded to first, I caught my second wind and finished off the inning. My day was done. George Hendrick pinch hit for me in the eighth. The Phillies got a run in the ninth but we won 6-3. The clubhouse was a rowdy party. "Welcome to the big leagues, James!" "That's showing them, James!" "We got a future star superstar here!" "Hey, James!" Manager Dick Williams. "The tv crew wants to talk to you!" Oh wow... It is a league-wide custom to have a local tv station send a crew to away games to televise the action. They don't show home games because they want you to attend, But they will show away games that you can't attend. And will use them to promote home games so that you will come out to the ballpark. "Robert James. Your first career start and you got the win. How are you feeling right now?" "I am honestly on Cloud Nine right now. I got to give credit to my teammates. They backed me on defense and really came through with the run support." "You didn't do too bad, yourself. A double and a run scored. What was that like for you?" "I hate running bases. That's tiring!" "You came out and got the win and ended the Phillies six game winning streak." "We came out and got the win. As a team. Because that is what we are. We are a team! A team who wants to bring the first ever division title to the city of San Diego!" "Thank you for joining us and congratulations again on a great performance." "Thank you." As we dispersed from Veterans Stadium, Coach Jackson patted me on the back. "Okay, James, you head back to San Diego and the training staff working on your arm for your next start." "I'm not going to New York?" "Nope. You're not going to be needed there." Life as the number five starter. I wondered if someone had a video tape of my game today. I could send my parents and Beth and Coach Cummings a copy. And my buddy in the military. I packed up my bags and checked out of my room and headed to the airport. I could be back in San Diego and get a couple extra hours of daylight thanks to the time zone changes. I got my ticket and sat down with some people who had no idea who I was and watched television while I waited for my call to board. "Once again, Iranian military aircraft has attacked an American frigate, killing thirty-seven Navy personnel." Oh my God....