Baseball: The National Pastime in Art and Literature
by David Colbert (ed.)
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John Bell |
As much for his cheerful disposition as for his ferocious home runs, and his formidable skills behind the plate, John was a terror in more ways than one in 1998 |
Best power hitter and RBI king |
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Andrew Butterbrodt |
For his always serious demeanor, for his eagerness to bat first, for his surprise catches in left field, and for base-running that was never less than an adventure |
Team igniter and mood-setter, and catcher of the season's two hardest-hit balls |
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Jonathan Finley |
It's not easy for a 10 year old to pitch, and to hang in there through tough times. Better known for his intensity than his carefree attitude, Jonathan really focused on the game, graduating from batting practice to the regular rotation. Jonathan never lost his cool, and helped lead the Comets to an unbeaten season |
Best fielding pitcher and example of courage on the field |
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Michael Otto |
For his quick hands, sure glove, steady management of the pitching staff, excellent team attitude, and occasionally wobbly bat, no player was more committed to doing well for the good of the team. |
Best defensive player |
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Dirk Edwards |
Too bad Dirk missed the last three games of the season, because he was coming on very strong when he left! Hard-working, cheerful, and willing to play any position, Dirk was a real addition to the team |
Most improved player over the course of the season |
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Phil Galligan |
The prince of the Comets, available for practice whenever the mood hit him, but ferocious on the pitcher's mound and scary with a bat in his hands |
Best power player, offense and defense |
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Nathan Kim |
Smart, good-natured and suave, Nathan lent this team of dirty-nosed, sullen roustabouts an element of class, while showing great resilience in returning after his injury |
Comeback player of 1998 |
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Sandy Lerach |
The soul of the Comets, Sandy was tenacious, funny, and equally determined behind the plate, on the mound, in the outfield or at bat |
Best all-around player |
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Tim Flesch |
Tim typified what made our team terrific -- he made nearly every practice, worked harder than anyone, never complained, and did everything asked of him. A perfect counterpart to all the team wise guys! |
The soul of the Comets, 1998 |
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Nicholas Langer |
You could tell just from looking at him that Nick enjoyed the heck out of playing. His bat quivered at the plate as he waited for the pitch. When the ball came to him in the field, his eyes were as big as banana cream pies. Having fun helped him have a great season, and make the Comets undefeated! |
Best team player, 1998 |
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Ben Ngiratregd |
Yes, he pitched great and was a monster with the purple bat. But more important, Ben was a role model for all the kids, because he knows what makes Comets baseball work -- having fun, setting screwups and setbacks aside, and just playing the game. When the sixth game was rained out, Ben still found a way to have fun, splashing in the puddles on the flooded field. |
Best sportsman 1998 |
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Casey Robins |
Casey has the #1 quality that makes for a good ballplayer -- desire. A hard worker, he made nearly every practice and game, and was always begging for another at-bat, a chance to pitch, another joke to tell. And he astonished himself and everyone else by making every important play all season at first base! |
Best first baseman |