RPC - Dennis pg 11 3-22-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
Today’s sporty hello and Happy Birthday wish goes out to Rick “Call Me Mr. Rick” Carnahan. An Indiana transplant, his sporting heart still belongs with anything Hoosier and his favorite college team the Duke Blue Devils (Oops sorry!). If you’re looking for him you can most likely find him on a local golf course.
While dining out in Webster at the Colonial Club, RPC ran into old friend Dennis Cregg. The former professional umpire looks no worst for the wear and tear of thousands of games behind the mask and pads and running around the bases. Cregg travelled around the Carolina, Eastern and International Leagues for 11 seasons. His dream was always to make it to the Major Leagues.
Although he never reached the “big time,” he did enjoy some very memorable experiences as an arbiter. Cregg had either the good fortune or misfortune of being behind the plate for the longest game in baseball history, a 33-inning affair between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings at McCoy Stadium.
On April 18, 1981, the day before Easter Sunday, the game got off to a rocky start because of some technical problems with the lights. The contest was finally suspended around 4 a.m. after 32 innings. The reason it wasn’t stopped earlier was twofold.
Cregg as the umpire-in-chief had an outdated International League rule book and wasn’t aware that no game could go beyond 1 a.m. Secondly, the president of the International League lived in Ohio and all attempts to reach him for a ruling were unsuccessful. Those were the two primary factors that played into the fact that Cregg and all the players involved would forever be in baseball history and on display as part of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The game finally resumed on June 23 and ended in a PawSox victory when journeyman first baseman Dave Kosa slapped an opposite field bloop single over third base to drive in Marty Barrett with the winning run.
The longest game also involved a pair of local products, who participated in two very distinctly different ways. Roger LaFrancois, who went on to the 1982 season with the Red Sox, caught 27 of the 33 innings, when entered the contest in the seventh inning replacing his good buddy Rich Gedman. Imagine squatting behind the plate all that time! LaFrancois, despite his laborious task behind the plate, managed to get a pair of hits in eight times at bat.
The other local involved was Bob Brex, who today is the Executive Director of NECASA. Brex was one of approximately 700-plus fans in the stands when the game started. When it ended at 4 a.m., he was one of about 17 fans who remained despite the bone-chilling April weather.
Both LaFrancois and Brex are prominently mentioned along with Cregg in Dan Barry’s book "Bottom of the 33rd" detailing the game.
Following his active umpiring career, Cregg went on to work for Major League Baseball evaluating and teaching minor league umpires. In his role he watched young hopeful umpires from the stands in quaint old ballparks, and then he’d meet and critique their performance in attempting to help them climb the umpiring ladder.
Today, Cregg and his wife live in Webster, where he remains a celebrity.
Derosier Enjoying Senior Year at Mitchell College…
Although the Mitchell Mariners baseball team, under the leadership of former Plainfield High School standout Travis Beausoleil, have gotten off to a rocky 1-7 start on their trip to Florida, ex-Killingly High School star Tom Derosier has been wielding a hot bat.
Derosier, who is a utility infielder and outfielder for Mitchell, is hitting an even .500 with eight hits in 16 at bats and six runs batted in. All of Derosier’s hits have been singles but he’s turned two of those hits into excitement with stolen bases, where he’s 2-for-2 in that department.
In a loss to Gettysburg, Derosier had two hits. His performance and good early start earned him Player-of-the-Week honors in the New England Collegiate Conference.
Despite the slow start for Mitchell, Beausoleil is optimistic about the future of the program. The first-year coach brings a solid resume to his position. He was a four-year starter for coach John Schiffner at Plainfield before moving on to a pair of stellar seasons at UConn-Avery Point under coach Roger Bidwell. He concluded his collegiate career as a second baseman at North Carolina Wesleyan, where he was the team’s captain in his senior year. He also enjoyed a summer season with the Chatham A’s in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Chicken Barbecue Dinner Anyone?...
Parents at Putnam High School are promoting a BBQ Chicken Dinner in an effort to raise funds for Project Graduation 2012. The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. April 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street, where the Knights are noted for their fine cuisine.
Terri Jones, the mother of Clipper hoop standout Caleb Gonyer, is heading up the event. She notes that tickets are $10 each and diners are welcome to eat-in or take-out the pullet with all the trimmings.
There will also be a raffle with many nice theme baskets arranged by the parents.
“We’re hoping the community will support us as we attempt to provide a safe post-graduation evening for the students,” said Jones.
Tickets may be obtained by contacting Jones at 860 377-8990 or 860 963-2229.
O’Putnam Leftovers…
The O’Putnam 5K sponsored by The Courthouse Bar & Grille had 642 official finishers. The day was truly enjoyed by owner Mike Deary, who jumped behind the bar to help the staff on duty.
According to anonymous sources, Deary was a hit as he had the St. Paddy’s Day spirit… Scott Deslongchamps was the first Putnam finisher in 5th place at 18:15…Former Putnam standout athlete Mike Herlihy, currently of Plymouth, Mass., crossed the finish line in 10th place …Gene Michael Deary’s clan was well represented. Sons, Gene (12), TJ (33) and dad (87) acquitted themselves very well. Their friend Chris Turney of Boston finished 79th… Hyde School AD Sean Saucier came in 15th and the popular Dan Goyette was 45th… Normand Seney III, a former Boston Marathon entrant and son of Putnam selectman Barney Seney, was 124th… Day Kimball physicians Marc Cerrone (130) and Lee Wesler (166) know the value of exercise as does Putnam boys’ basketball coach Shaun Deary (126)… And finally, Woodstock resident and owner of Oak Knoll Builders Mike Madden had his own nurse walking with him. His wife Heather, a nurse, was a patient supporter (excuse the pun) of her husband.
St. Mary’s Gets Special
St. Patrick’s Day Guest…
Parishioners at St. Mary’s Church got a special St. Patrick’s Day treat when Fr. John O’Neill of St. James celebrated at all the Masses over the weekend. Known by this columnist as the “Marrying Priest” for all the weddings he’s asked to perform, Fr. John was at the top of his game at St. Mary’s. His homily, which interjected humor and sports, brought home his point on reconciliation. He’s looking forward to a pair of May events, the celebration of his 50th anniversary of his ordination and his participation in the St. James Golf Tournament scheduled for May 30 at Foster Country Club.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Goals are funny things. They don’t work unless you do.