Stryker Brigade News

(Photo Courtesy San Diego Padres)

The event was made possible by Jim Wellman, Deputy County Counsel and all-round nice guy, who puts on an annual fund raiser for the local children's center at the ballpark. Learning that Scott was going to be here for the game, he arranged with the Padres to have him honored by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The decision was eventually made by Padres owner John Moores because another first pitch was already scheduled. So Scott was not the actual first pitch pitcher, but the closer, I guess you'd say. I guess it was fitting to have the Cavalry arrive and save the day, too.

As for the pitch itself, it was outside to the right because he was having a hard time feeling his right hand yesterday. Also, he was wearing the jacket for the photo op. He wanted to drop and do four push-ups as part of the event, too, but they talked him out of it because of time restraints. Apparently, MLB fines you if you start a game late, which makes no sense for a game without a time limit, but hey, I didn't write the rules. He did remember to take off his hat to acknowledge the crowd's applause and that he executed very well. He had a great night.

We did attempt to commandeer two horses from the San Diego Police to use in the pre-game, but they didn't want to dismount. I can't blame them. I don't think the groundskeepers would have liked that, either. They were also very kind to us and chatted about their work before batting practice ended. That field is perfect and their pride shows.

A highlight for me was meeting Navy Captain (Ret.) Jack "Fingers" Ensch, who works for the Padres in military marketing. Captain Ensch is called "Fingers" because the North Vietnamese cut off his left thumb when he was a Prisoner of War because he resisted them. He was very kind and helpful to us. He is also way too modest about his experiences. I told him that my friends in the Aviation Community would be envious that I've shaken his hand, he just smiled. When the woman who was to take Scott out to the field for the pitch asked him if he was nervous or excited, he said he wasn't. She looked surprised and Captain Ensch told her, "He's been in combat, this is nothin'." He gets credit for any photos showing the four of us with the scoreboard in the background (on www.strykernews.com later) because he's smarter than us at posing people for photos.

After the game, he talked about being the first one and I asked him what he meant. He said, "I'm the first to throw the ball." "Scott, you're not the first wounded soldier to throw out the first pitch." "I'm the first to do it with this," he said, grinning and pointing to his Stetson. "They always make you wear this" and made his sign for the beret. This led to a round of jokes such as "What are they going to do?" followed by shoot you in the head, send you to Iraq, retire you, make you go back and throw it again wearing a beret, etc.

I understand from friends and relatives that Scott's pitch was shown on ESPN and WGN-Chicago. The latter was apparently because someone read on the website that they were carrying the game, so she called the station and asked that they show it because she sponsors troops in the Stryker Brigade of which Scott is a part. I don't know her real name or I'd give her credit. I'm sure she knows who she is and what she did and that's all the thanks she needs. We've met a lot of people like that along the way and it's been great.

ST

UPDATE: Steve has added a few more photos from the game to his album.