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71-year-old Legion Coach will pitch to the All-Star during MLB's Home Run Derby

Discussion in 'American Legion' started by NPC Fanatic, Jul 12, 2008.

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  1. Jul 12, 2008 at 5:27 PM #1
    NPC Fanatic

    NPC Fanatic LakeNormanFan-lost pword

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    Years ago, Josh Hamilton made a promise to Clay Council. They never shook hands or signed a contract. It was just the word of one baseball player to another.Hamilton, an Athens Drive student at the time, told Council, an American Legion volunteer coach who tossed batting practice, that if he ever reached Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby he would take him along to pitch.
    Three weeks ago, Council's phone rang in his Cary home. On the other end was Hamilton, the former Athens Drive High School phenom and now major league All-Star for the Texas Rangers.
    "That's the first guy I thought about," Hamilton said on Thursday after batting practice before a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark.
    Hamilton added, "He's done so much for so many kids and probably hasn't got a lot of thank yous for it. This is a big thank you."
    Hamilton, voted this season to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game, called Council to remind him of the promises they made to each other years ago.
    "Are you as good as your word?" Hamilton asked.
    "Yeah, man," Council answered.

    Read the full story in the Raleigh News and Observer:
     
  2. Jul 12, 2008 at 9:27 PM #2
    freckles

    freckles Python's better half

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    That's a great "feel good" story. Thanks for sharing it here.
     
  3. Jul 12, 2008 at 9:38 PM #3
    Capsbaseballlhp

    Capsbaseballlhp Full Access Member

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    Machine...

    Clay Council is a Batting Practice MACHINE, couldnt be happening to a nicer man
     
  4. Jul 13, 2008 at 4:14 PM #4
    jd05

    jd05 Full Access Member

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    did he..

    Coach at Cary???
    Did he help Nellie Copper in the late 70's and early 80's
     
  5. Jul 13, 2008 at 10:36 PM #5
    JM15

    JM15 Moderator

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    Yeah he did.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2008 at 11:12 AM #6
    PLOWBOY

    PLOWBOY Member

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    Now, This is what it's all about. Baseball at it's best.
    Go get em Coach, drink in every second of it, you earned it.
     
  7. Jul 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM #7
    JM15

    JM15 Moderator

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    Clay left Saturday for the event and is as nervous as you can imagine. He is friends with Gaylord Perry so I am sure the two of them will meet up at some point.

    I'm hoping ESPN gets a hold of him for an interview. Clay's a good ol' boy and would be a trip on national television. David Letterman would scoop him up.


    Watch this link -- It's great
    http://www.wral.com/sports/video/3187595
     
  8. Jul 15, 2008 at 1:40 PM #8
    throwtheheat

    throwtheheat Full Access Member

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    now a local hero...

    Just in case you missed it last night! Josh Hamilton hit a record 28 HR's in the first round of the HR Derby!! At 71 years old Clay was a machine!! He threw 54 pitches in the first round.

    Clay did a great job hitting Hamilton's bat with each pitch! Reminds me of my coach-pitch days.

    What a great story!!

    :trophy:
     
  9. Jul 15, 2008 at 1:47 PM #9
    JM15

    JM15 Moderator

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    by the way... clay's helpin' coach the cary senior legion baseball team who starts the 2nd round of the playoffs tomorrow night @ clayton (best of 5).
     
  10. Jul 15, 2008 at 1:55 PM #10
    tj21

    tj21 Moderator

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    If he was nervous, it didn't show, he threw strikes. Great job to him and Josh Hamilton.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2008
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