WHIV 2062.3- Geddes Has A Night To Remember Forever

[recte44]

There isn't a lot that Owen Geddes hasn't accomplished in his career. As a youngster in Solihill, England he recalls being transfixed by the game of baseball. "We'd get games on the tele here and there," Geddes said. "I remember one game in particular. It was in April, if I recall. It was rainy out, and so I stayed in and there was a Hustlers game on. I must have been twelve or so years old. The Hustlers were playing Jacksonville, it was so early in the season, not a hugely important game. Vegas started a young lefty by the name of Chin Kim, not sure if you recall this fella. If memory serves, he was in his fifth or sixth season with the Hustlers and he had been pretty much bollocks up til that point in time, and pretty much bollocks after that point. But on that day, everything was working for him. He was crafty with his pitches, masterful even. I was just blown away that a pitcher could do what he was doing. Next thing you know, it's the ninth inning and this guy, Chin Kim of all people, has a no-hitter going. Damned if he didn't close it up and get his no-no. And then he kind of went back to being a mediocre at best hurler. What I liked was he was a lefty, as I am, and the way he mixed up his pitches that day stuck with me as I advanced my baseball career. I think of him often, and I'm probably the only one. I always wanted to toss a no-hitter."

Geddes' memory was pretty good. It was April 17, 2038 against Jacksonville. Geddes was, in fact, twelve years old. Kim did throw a no-hitter that day. Nothing else about his resume screams perfection. But he did it. In fact, he was the last Las Vegas pitcher to toss a no-hitter. That is, until Geddes himself accomplished the feat on September 13, 2062 against the Calgary Pioneers. It's pretty incredible that it happened at this stage of his career. Geddes is now 36 years old, in his second season with the Hustlers after an incredible UMEBA/GBC career. He is, dare I say unquestionably, the best pitcher in the history of the GBC. Let's review his credentials. He's the All-Time GBC leader in Wins (229), Games Started (558), Complete Games (15), Innings Pitched (3442), Strikeouts (3007) and WAR (71.24). He was Pitcher of the Year in 2045, won the United Cup with Bucharest in 2049, won a Great Glove Award in 2049 and 2051, won the Pitching Triple Crown in 2050 and 2057, won the Unsung Hero Award in 2056, the list goes on and on. But never a no-hitter.

In fact, he hasn't been great most of the season. "Merely sufficient," said Geddes, looking disappointed. "I came over here to the BBA to see how I'd fare against the best in the world. Last season was a success. This season, it seems Father Time has been catching up with me. In fact, following my dismal July I told Skip (manager Henry Rectenberg) I'd understand if he sent me to the bullpen. He stuck with me though, and I'm thankful. This was a team accomplishment, and it's a day I'll cherish forever."

Now able to check another accomplishment off of his list, what's left? "I'd really love a Monty Series Ring," said Geddes with a wry grin. "I think that would be just about the tops."

BBA Box Score, Calgary Pioneers at Las Vegas Hustlers, 09_13_2062.pdf

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BBA Game Log, Calgary Pioneers at Las Vegas Hustlers, 09_13_2062.pdf

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[RonCo]

Well, that came out of nowhere.

Baseball is great because anything can happen.

[Trebro]

Great write up and I especially like the link to past Hustlers history.