He's probably the most successful baseball player ever to come out of the city of Elk Grove. Former major league catcher and current Toronto Blue Jays' play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez spoke Saturday night at a fundraiser for the baseball program at Elk Grove High School.
 |
| Buck Martinez |
It was a packed house at the S.E.S. Hall that listened to Martinez reminisce about his playing days in Elk Grove and in professional baseball. His high school teammate, Kenny Hottman who also played in the majors, was there Saturday. Martinez was the catcher for the Royals when Hottman took his first MLB at-bat for the White Sox.
Martinez also talked about playing with or for 12 men who are now in baseball's Hall of Fame. Martinez was one of the very first Kansas City Royals when that club was organized in 1968, just two years after he graduated from Elk Grove. He also recalled being the catcher, who with a broken leg, made both putouts in the Majors' only 9-2-7-2 double play.
If you're a baseball fan, you'll enjoy listening to this speech. He is introduced by Elk Grove's pitching coach, Jason Jimenez, who also spent time in the majors and is Hottman's son-in-law.
Photos from the dinner :
 |
| About 350 jammed into the S.E.S. dining hall Saturday |
 |
| Martinez sitting with two of his brothers and families |
 |
| Long-time ex-Elk Grove football coach Dave Hoskins who never misses a good meal |
 |
| Music was provided by Makka Letuligasenoa |
No comments:
Post a Comment