During the past week there has not been too much to report on but there are a few events that deserve mentioning. The first has to do with our former first baseman, Clyde Williams, who was sold to league rival, Brockton. Clyde had gotten off to a slow start from a batting average stand point despite hitting 5 home runs for us. We had a 4 day, 5 game series against Clyde and new 'mates over the weekend. I have never been traded or sold, but I am guessing that Clyde was hoping to personally destroy us. He didn't exactly destroy us, but he did hit 2 homers in the final game of the series to help Brockton to a lopsided win. His big moment came in the at-bat prior to his 2nd homer when he fisted a base hit up the middle....it was his 1,000th career hit. AMAZING!! Clyde signed as 18 year old kid and has played 11 minor league seasons, progressing as high as AAA. It is a great testament to his longevity and work ethic to have reached this rediculous milestone. He has collected hits in just about every minor league city across America and although they stood in applause in Brockton, very few of those fans will be able to comprehend what Clyde has been able to do. Just to PLAY for that long is impressive, but he has not just played, he has made a living accomplishing sport's most difficult skill, hitting a baseball. This may be the only bit of Press his 1000th hit receives but it needs to be recognized, well done, Clyde.

The second news-worthy event will answer your, "why is there a picture of Eric Gagne on your blog" question. Just a bit of background....Gagne was baseball's most feared closer several years ago with the Dodgers. He won a Cy Young award and at one point converted 84 straight save opportunities. His streak made headlines everywhere. He spent time with the Red Sox and the Brewers before being released this spring. Rumor is that he was a big time steroids user and that once he stopped taking them, the injuries started and his career took a nose dive. Regardless of his past, he is presently pitching for the Quebec Le Capitales of the Can-Am League and he and his Caps squad rolled into Nashua last night for a 3 game series. There were rumors that he was going to pitch, then that he wasn't, then that he was and sure enough when we got to the park Monday, Eric Gagne was slated to start for Quebec. After 3 quick outs in the top of the first inning, I prepared to lead off against this man who had once captivated the nation with his amazing streak of saves and had once made big league hitters look childish while trying to hit his 95 MPH fastball and looney tunes change up. The whole time I was trying to approach it like "just another at-bat" but when I got in the box and looked out at the mound I said to myself, "@#$*, that's Eric Gagne". There wasn't much time for being star struck as Gagne zipped the first pitch in for a strike. His velocity is not what it once was, but what he lacks in speed he makes up for in command. Nowa-days he features a cutter, 2-seamer, change up and slider. He missed with a 2-seamer and the count was 1-1. The very next pitch, he threw that once-devastating change up and sure enough, I lined it into right field for a base hit.....Gagne 0 Lemon 1!! I would go on to get one more hit off of Gagne as we touched him up for 9 runs. Clearly, he is not the Gagne of old, but it was still a thrill to stand in and stare down a guy who had once performed on baseball's biggest stage. The game was shortened due to rain so we were able to get off work a little early last night. Since we were leading in the 7th inning when the rains came, we technically won the game. The home stand continues with two more games against the Caps followed by three with Sussex.