The AP story for the Reds/Marlins game indicates that Reds outfielder, Jonny Gomes gave retiring Dayton Daily News writer, Hal McCoy the bat he hit for a home run that night.
Ok, obviously a very nice gesture and all by Gomes but I don't know that McCoy would even display it. What would he say? "Hey everybody, here is a bat given to me by Jonny Gomes, more known for his fighting than hitting, that he used to hit a home run in a late season game in 2009. I will treasure this forever." I am admittedly being a little sarcastic here as the home run was hit on a night that the club used to honor Hal McCoy but in the end it is still a piece of lumber from marginal player, Jonny Gomes.
Actually now that I think about it there is probably another plus side to this. This is a memento that McCoy's grand kids could actually use and play with. After all, it is not a Babe Ruth signed ball or anything.
Sorry Jonny (or Masked Avenger or whatever the wrestling name is here)
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2 comments:
Hal said he cried when he got the bat... Jonny had offered to hit a home run that night to honor Hal. He actually came through and did it. Hal was a great writer for 37 years for the Dayton Daily News. I have had the pleasure of meeting him, working with him in the press box and learning from him. I sent him a letter today asking to discuss that night and how special that home run was to him.
I did read the backstory on this and obviously shortened the story a bit. The above post also has a heavy dose of sarcasm in it.
I enjoyed reading Hal McCoy over the years and appreciated his willingness to call it as he saw it and criticize a player or the organization if necessary which is something that we do not have in Detroit.
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