Tom D wrote:
A weird thing for me to look at a nice series like this, taken 3000 miles away, and see a couple of boys from my neighborhood, Ted. I'm pretty sure that the kid getting mauled in what looks like a homerun jube in #7 is Travis D'Arnaud, a catcher from my son's high school (Lakewood High in the Long Beach, Calif area). Below is a shot of him in the first round of the '07 CIF playoffs, about a couple of weeks before he was drafted 37th overall by the Phillies.
Also in that #7 shot, 3rd from left, is Anthony Gose, drafted in 2008 out of another local high school. He's also the kid in the bunt shot (#9). Below is a shot of him pitching during the '05 Pony All Star playoffs when he was 14.

Friggin small world out there.

Nice series, Ted... and love that ballpark. Nothing but the best to you and your son...





You are correct on both players Glad I could brighten your day.

Here's another of D'Arnaud... Kinda sweet shot. Note the handle of the bat and the wood dust/chips.

Thanks Tom for the comments.

Ted

Ha, nice grab, Ted-- I have yet to catch a broken-bat shot.

Below is D'Arnaud as a junior catcher, taken on June 3, 2006, when his Lakewood High team won the Division 1 state championship game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

Travis has a cannon... your son would probably verify that.

Tom D wrote:
Ha, nice grab, Ted-- I have yet to catch a broken-bat shot.

Below is D'Arnaud as a junior catcher, taken on June 3, 2006, when his Lakewood High team won the Division 1 state championship game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

Travis has a cannon... your son would probably verify that.


Thanks again Tom.

Ted