By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s sporty RPC shoutout goes out to my little brother Mike “The Mailman” Coderre.  One of Putnam’s most affable citizens, Mike is now retired from the postal service but is still missed by the many friends he made over the years on his route.  On Aug. 26 he blew out another candle on the cake.  I remember the day he came home from the hospital with our mother.  Fond memories.

In America most little boys grow up dreaming about becoming a Major League baseball player or some version of a professional athlete.  Unfortunately like many professions the pyramid gets very narrow at the top and very few get to realize the dream.  There are some however, who do reach the “big time” and get to live the dream.  

One such individual is Norwich native Eric Campbell, who earlier this year was called up by the New York Mets from their Triple A affiliate Las Vegas.  Since arriving in the “Big Apple” Campbell has made the most of every opportunity that’s been presented to him.

Campbell grew up like most kids, playing in the youth leagues and Little League in Norwich.   Campbell had one advantage over most kids in that his dad, Hugh “Duke” Campbell was a pretty fair baseball player himself and had a deep interest in his son’s love of the game.

At Norwich Free Academy Campbell played with other kids from Norwich who were pretty decent players.  He was coached by the legendary John Iovino who was assisted by “Duke” Campbell.  The Wildcats won a CIAC Class LL State Championship during his four years on the Broadway campus.

His play was recognized by college scouts, which resulted in a four-year scholarship to Boston College.  Campbell starred on the Chestnut Hill campus as a four-year starter at third base for the Eagles.  His college play earned him a draft pick by the Mets but there was one hang up, the New Yorkers had a guy playing third base by the name of David Wright.

Seeing the writing on the wall Campbell, who was always a good contact hitter, learned to play a number of positions on defense.  His hard work, determination and versatility earned him a promotion to Citi Field, where he’s become an integral part of the Metropolitans.

Recently, Campbell smashed a three-run home run at Wrigley Field in Chicago, which proved to be the difference in the game won, won by the Mets 3-2.  Last week, against one of the hottest teams in baseball the Oakland A’s, Campbell struck again with a solo shot that proved to be the impetus in an 8-5 New York victory over the West Coast team.

As of press time, Campbell is leading the Mets in batting at .301 with three round trippers and 15 runs-batted-in to his credit.  On the other side of the ball, Campbell has played every infield position and left and right field, demonstrating his versatility and earning the respect of his manager Terry Collins.

Eric Campbell is living the dream he had as a youngster growing up in Norwich.  He’s earned his spot in professional baseball with hard work and a willingness to sacrifice for the team. He’s a model for youngsters today who have the same dream he had more than 20 years ago.  Maybe someday we can write a story about a Putnam kid who learned from the Eric Campbell story.

 Putnam Teacher is a College Coach

Megan Silver Droesch is an English teacher at Putnam High School.  Most of the citizenry of Putnam and probably the faculty and student body at the high school don’t realize that Droesch is a varsity college coach.  In a recent announcement out of Eastern Connecticut State University Droesch was named the interim head coach of the Lady Warriors volleyball team.  

Droesch, a resident of Columbia, certainly deserves the opportunity to prove herself as a varsity coach.  Based on her credentials she’s most qualified.  A graduate of UConn, Droesch played volleyball for the Lady Huskies throughout her four years on the Storrs campus.  Following her graduation she served two years as a graduate assistant at Springfield College.  She brings that experience to the Willimantic school, which posted a 14-17 record last season.

An Old Friend Visits Woodstock

A recent visitor to Woodstock and northeastern Connecticut was gentleman who for years was a big influence on the students at Woodstock Academy.  Bill Taylor, who taught history at Woodstock Academy from 1969 through 2008, was in the area recently visiting with family and friends.

During his tenure at the Academy, Taylor also served as the baseball and soccer coach for the Centaurs in addition to his teaching duties.  He also had a career as the soccer coach at the former Annhurst College, which was located on the site of the current Hyde School-Woodstock.

Taylor and his wife, Rebecca live in Port Charlotte, Fla., most of the year with the exception of brief respites in Woodstock.  There’s a coaching lineage in Taylor’s family.  His stepson is the highly successful basketball coach at Woodstock Academy, Gregg Smith.  Coincidentally, Smith is also a history teacher at the Academy like his stepfather.

Running Déjà Vu

When Andrew Springer of Westerly, R.I., won the 25th running of the Deary Memorial Five-Mile Road Race, he beat William Sanders of Wethersfield and Scott Leslie of Rutland, Mass., who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.  Sanders and Leslie both recently vindicated themselves following the Deary event.  Leslie won the 5.7-Mile Hardwick Fair Road Race in a time of 30:06.  Sanders captured the Battle of Stonington 5K in a time of 15:32.  If you can’t win one race, don’t give up.  There’s always another race in the area at this time of year.

Local Golfer Hangs Tough With Big Boys

The Connecticut Mid-Amateur Championship was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19 and 20 at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simbury.  Putnam resident Will Machnicki, who plays out of Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug, posted a three-round score of 76-73-85 for at 234 total, placing him in a tie for 40th place.  He was 20 strokes of the winning score of 214 posted by winner Kevin Foster. 

One Last Note Worth Mentioning

Putnam attorney Steve Adams recently vacationed in Maine with his children, Liam, Christian and Frances.  While in the Portland, the quartet took in a Red Sox AA Portland Sea Dogs contest against the Cleveland Indians franchise, Akron Rubber Ducks.  The Adams family is one of the area’s biggest baseball families.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Energy is contagious…take the furthest parking space possible at the office or when shopping.

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