OCR Text |
Show Page 12 The Thimderbird Monday October 1, 1984 to homework Dreams of the big leagues give way Falls White For pitcher Darren Garrick the honeymoon just getting started Niagara Sox is , by Stewart Smith When the World Series begins next month Darren Garrick will be sitting comfortably in his living room, watching the games on television. When the world series begins several years from now he may just be standing on the pitchers mound. An SUSC student, Garrick spent his summer vacation, if you could call it that, playing professional baseball with the Niagara Falls White Sox, a franchise of the Chicago team. Garrick remembers the day that thousands of players dream of and few ever achieve. I was in Salt Lake eating dinner with my parents at a restaurant. When we got home my nephew told me that the Chicago White Sox had called and said I was drafted, said Garrick, who completed his collegiate career last spring for the right-hande- r, no-hitt- er '' Thunderbirds. The day was June sixth, the day of the major league baseball draft, and Garrick had been selected in the 21st round. Actually, I didnt think Id be drafted, but I was pretty excited. Garrick mentioned that scouts from the White Sox organization had seen him pitch at one of the camps held last year on the SUSC campus. Apparently they liked SUSC, Garricks teammate Darrell Pruitt was also drafted by the American League franchise. A scant four days later found Garrick and Pruitt eastbound on a flight to Niagara Falls, New York. At first it was different. I was scared, people were a little different, Garrick said. An apartment above an Italian restaurant quickly became home to the Utah pair and they soon adjusted to life in New York. Garrick discovered that even in New York he could still throw a baseball and it wasnt long until the whose fastball has been clocked at over 92 mph, started winning games and admirers. In his first three games Garrick came out throwing bullets, winning all three of the contests. He particulary remembered the first win of his professional career, a win recorded against the Batavia Indians of the New York-Pen- n League. I was really nervous but I tried not to show it. I threw five innings and got a win, he said. In one of his wins Garrick even had a going through 6 23 innings. The fans started to notice the rookie from Utah. They were great, wed have about 2500 at every game. The kids were great fans, theyd come running up asking for autographs, the Salt Lake City native said. But Garrick wasnt drafted for his signature, he was drafted for his arm. He fondly remembers what he feels was his finest moment as a pitcher during his first season. Pitching in releif, Garrick preserved a win for Niagara by striking out all of the six batters he faced in his two innings. Garrick began to see more action. We played a lot, we played 76 games in 77 days, he said of Niagaras schedule. We traveled out of a big bus. We went 8,649 miles, our bus driver posted it. Single A franchises dont reap the rewards or benefits that the major league teams do, including air travel, contracts and salaries. While baseball superstars negotiate for lucrative n dollar contracts minor league players readily accept what is offered. Garrick signed a one year contract. By the time it was all over I - c:. ; z 4? Darren Garrick will be relaxing at home during the World Series this year. Next season hell report to spring training with the White Sox. multi-millio- Every year Ill have to battle guys younger than me, guys with as good as arm as mine, or even better. Ill just have to battle. month, he said. But both Garrick and Pruitt were offered another kind of contract, a bubble gum card was making $850 a contract. We both signed contracts for Topps Bubble Gum Cards, Garrick said with a grin. And the Xs ' NiN 4 .A i The former Thunderbird players fastball has been clocked at more than 90 mph. This fall hell be helping SUSCs pitchers with their oum fasiballs. amount? It was for five dollars, he laughed, I framed the check they gave me. When a player gets to a double A franchise the company starts printing the cards for distribution. Garrick is serious about baseball and knows that making it in the big leagues is going to take a lot. Im pretty old. Im 23 and they like younger players. Every year Ill have to battle guys younger than me, guys with as good as arm as mine, or even better. Ill just have to battle. Im going to go back to spring training with the idea of impressing people and giving all Ive got. Garricks coaches and managers know he will, describing him as an excellent competitor. One day Garrick hopes of pitching to the catcher hes watched for so many years. I always wanted Carlton Fisk to catch for me. When we go to spring training hell be there, Garrick said. For the time being however, Garrick will finish his education and then dream of pennant races and championships. Its been a long road and I want to finish it, he said. The roads to World Series are also long, so given Garricks determination and talent dont be suprised to see Carlton Fisk squatting behind home plate one day, bracing himself for a Darren Garrick fastball. |