Birthday Homerun

After my homerun in Koshien, I went into a bit of a slump.  I went 0-fer in
Hiroshima against some tough pitchers, and then had a string of pinch hits
against some of the toughest closers in the league.  Anyway, going into the
series against the Yokohoma Bay Stars, I was kinda stressing about not
getting a hit for 10 or 12 at-bats.  The day before the series started, our
starting center fielder fouled a ball off his ankle and couldn't play the
next few days, which opened a spot for me to play center field.  The
Yokohoma Bay Stars is a team from the other league (we are playing
inter-league right now) that is right outside of Tokyo, so we had a very
large contingent of Marines fans.  Well, as soon as I stepped on the field
for BP, I start noticing signs with my name on it saying Happy Birthday!  I
was kinda confused at first because my birthday isn't for another month.  I
then remembered that all my official documents say my birthday is June 7th. 
(the nurse in the hospital the day I was born made a typo and wrote June
instead of July).  I wasn't about to try and explain this to a couple
thousand fans who don't speak my language, so I just rolled with it and
accepted all the Birthday accolades.  While stretching before the game, the
Marines fans all sang happy birthday and held up a huge sign saying "Happy
Birthday Rusty".  I tipped my hat and gave them a big smile.  

That day, we were facing an American pitcher by the name of  Ryan Glynn, he
has been here for 4 or 5 years and has pretty good stuff.   Well in the
first inning, he was having some control problems and got in a bit of a jam.
I was batting 7th and came to the plate with the bases loaded after he just
walked in a run.  He quickly got behind 2 and 0.  After missing a couple
pitches and taking a close curve ball, the count ran to full.  I fouled off
another inside fastball.  The crowd noise grew with each pitch of the
at-bat.  I knew he didn't want to walk in another run, so I was in a good
spot to get a fastball I could handle.  He went into his delivery and the
next thing I remember is the ball sailing towards the right field foul pole,
it had the distance if it would just stay fair.  The ball landed deep into
the right field bleachers as I looked at the umpire down the first base
line. He emphatically motioned that it was fair.  A rush of adrenalin and
emotions filled my body from head to toe.  I raised my fist and gave a
couple pumps as I rounded first base.  I glance at the fans in left as I
rounded second and it looked like a dang mosh pit!  After touching home and
high-fiving all my teammates, I step out of the dugout (as customary) and
tip my cap at the fans as they chant my name.  I sit back down and take a
deep breath and hear my name STILL being chanted!  I was kinda confused,
then I realized I was getting a dang curtain call! After a few moments, I
step out AGAIN and wave to the fans.  It was my first grand slam of my
professional career!   (2600 at-bats and I finally ran into one with the
bases loaded.)    After the inning, I run out to play centerfield, and as
customary when you drive in a run, the fans start chanting my name.  I wave
again and give a deep bow.  Well that wasn't it, after that they bust out in
a full version of "Happy Birthday To You"!  Ha!  Who gets "Happy Birthday"
sung to them by about ten thousand people during a baseball game on the
road???!!!    I turn a light shade of  red, wave and bow again.  Later in
the game, the Bay Stars had climbed back into it and were only down by 2
runs and had a rally brewing.  They had the leadoff runner on and their big
lefthanded hitter up.  He hit a ball into the left center field gap and I
take off after it like a golden retriever.  The ball is slicing away from me
as I lay out for it, snagging it before it heads in to the gap.  The crowd
goes bonkers and I wave at them again.  

We went on to win the game and, as I was heading for the locker room, our
media relations guy informs me that I have to give an interview.  "OK."
Well come to find out, it's the "Hero's Interview!"  I had no idea they did
that on the road too.  I head out to the field with my interpreter Go, and
answer some questions about the game, what pitch I hit,  how I made the
catch, etc. etc.  I answer them as best I can and then head towards the left
field stands.  I take a few pics holding the #26 jersey (26 represents the
fans as the 26th member of our team).  And then its time to dance.  I give
the Hulk Hogan "Lemme hear ya" sign and that cues them to start the first
few notes of the Chase Lambin song.  I do my little dance and give the
infamous heel slap as the crowd bounces up and down screaming their lungs
out.  I high five all the fans on the railing and head into the clubhouse.
What an experience!  That's about it for now.  More to come
later.

See ya on down the road,
Chase