Can of Corn Boys, Just a Can of Corn

A friend of mine told me the other day that it was time for me to write a baseball article so I will make an attempt for his sake. I might throw in a little bit of history along the way.

Some of my best friends are Giants fans. Ha, that's right; they are San Francisco Giants fans. You've got to love those folks, if for nothing else, just their unmitigated tenacity. Especially those fans who have never seen their beloved Giants win a World Series. They have won one Series in my lifetime, but at the age of one, back in 1954, I don't remember watching it and I'm not even sure if we had a television. The Giants did sweep the Indians that year, but it would be another long 8 years to even see them in the Series again, only this time to lose to the Yanks in 7 games. Let's see, oh yes, they did manage to get back to the Series again for one more time prior to the Bonds era, just a mere 27 years later. The aftershocks of that visit to the post season were felt for quite some time and of course, the Giants fell to the mighty A's.

Then it finally came, those glorious 15 years with The Sultan of Steroids. Old Balderdash Barry Bonds carried his Giants back to the World Series…one time, yes that's right, the greatest Home Run hitter of all time*, led his Giants to the World Series just once in 15 years. That was in 2002 and the Angels beat them in 7 games.

However, I do believe the answer to the Giants prayers is on his way. Juan Carlos Perez was drafted by the Giants with their 13th round selection this year. Who's Juan Carlos Perez? Why he is the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Player of the Year. Playing for the Western Oklahoma State Pioneers this past season, Juan Carlos led his team to the NJCAA Division II World Series. Unfortunately, they lost their first two games and were out of it, but hey folks; it was the Pioneers' first trip ever to the World Series. Along the way, Juan Carlos set NJCAA Division II records with 37 Home Runs and 102 RBIs. Just for comparison purposes, the previous record for Home Runs was 23. In addition, Juan Carlos carried a .465 batting average and stole 29 bases. That should be enough to make the Bay Area faithful forget old big-headed Barry and his steroid boosted bombs.

Juan Carlos didn't carry the Pioneers to the World Series by himself though; he had a lot of help. One of his teammates was not only quite an impressive hitter and pitcher, but a celebrity, as well. Way back in 2001, he became an overnight sensation by pitching a perfect game in the Little League World Series. Actually, he became even more famous, or rather more infamous, later, when it was determined that he was at least 2 years too old to be playing Little League. Yes, Danny Almonte has surfaced in Altus, Oklahoma and he is playing ball. The last I had heard about Danny was the story of his wedding (at age 19) to a 30 year old hair dresser, Rosy Perdomo.

For the Pioneers this year, against people in his own age bracket, Danny hit for a .456 batting average, had 14 Home Runs and also had a 7-1 pitching record. That is a lot more impressive than pitching a perfect game against little kids. Just a freshman, Danny did not get drafted this year. Let's hope he hangs around awhile and finishes this feel good story.

In all fairness to Barry Bonds and all of those die hard Giants fans, I don't care much for Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, Gary Sheffield or any of the other dopers out there either.

I'd like to wish a Happy 86th Birthday to that great old Chicago White Sox player, Jungle Jim Rivera. Jim is one of our celebrities every year at The Phil Harris Scholarship Tournament.

Also, Happy Anniversary to that great Giants pitcher, Barry William Zito. Barry made his Major League debut on this day back in 2000.

And Good Luck to you Giants fans, at least you're not Cubs fans.