Saturday, July 31, 2004
Lose the threads: Usually the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have an annual Jimmy Buffet night and the team wears striking teal green shirts for the occasion. Last season, the Scrappers began an 11-game losing streak on the day they wore the Buffet shirts. This year, the Scrappers wore the special shirts July 23 and have lost seven in a row ever since. More than one player has said the shirts are jinxed.
Looking good: Another special clothing item was on display at Eastwood Field Friday -- about 100 members of the Red Hat Society took in the game. The middle-aged women, many in their purple shirts and red hats, made quite a fashion statement. The nationwide group was formed "to bring women together to have fun, to share experiences and to find the means to encourage one another."
Music of choice: Before and during almost every game at Eastwood Field there is plenty of Rock-N-Roll music, some of it live, to entertain the crowd. Friday, it was something different. Polka Night, sponsored by the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals, was the tune of the day. Many of the listeners were up and dancing to their favorite tunes.
He has a weakness: Since becoming a regular member of the team's mascots this summer, the gorilla has quickly made his presence known. During the Race Around the Bases promotion, the gorilla has come out of the dugout to tackle a dwarf one night and knock down a snowman another game. Friday, the gorilla raced a fan and was in the lead when he hit third base. There the gorilla spotted one of the Diamond Girls and stopped for a warm hug. He was in love, and the fan won easily.
League leader: Argenis Reyes had a fifth-inning double to increase his New York-Penn League-leading hit total to 51. Reyes, a .316 batter., also leads the league with 15 stolen bases. Reyes has hit in 20 straight games, tied for the longest streak in the league this summer.
-- Bill Sullivan