Trappers Get Record 28th Victory
The rumors that Bill Murray, one of 16 owners of the Salt Lake City Trappers, had taken the Concorde out of Paris Saturday morning in an attempt to reach Derks Field in time for the big one Saturday night were unfounded.
The big one was no less big as Trapper Fever spread from Temple Square to the dazzling new developments in the Wasach Mountains.
The fever resulted in a Derks Field sellout. Several dozen of the infected filled the roof of a building beyond the center-field fence.
“I’d call it a circus or zoo,” the besieged publicity director, Glenn Seninger, said, “but we haven’t coined a phrase for it yet.”
Fever? Mania?
“You know you’ve made it when they start scalping tickets in the Pioneer League,” personnel director Van Schley said.
Four-dollar tickets were said to be going for $10. There was one report of a man getting $150 for a $16 package of four.
Was it worth the price? How do you scale a slice of history?
The capacity crowd of 9,968 saw the Trappers extend their winning streak to 28 games, baseball’s longest ever.
The 1902 Corsicana Oilers of the Texas League and 192l Baltimore Orioles of the International League are merely steppingstones now, tied for second at 27 in a row.
Drama? It ended early. The Trappers built an 8-2 lead after two innings, then turned the spotlight over to clown prince Max Patkin en route to a 13-3 rout of the Pocatello Giants.
The only unaffiliated team in an eight-team rookie league, the Trappers are undefeated since June 24, having outscored their opponents, 259-121, during the streak.
They are 31-3 overall, but who checks the standings any more?
This latest win, the most meaningful and memorable yet for this collection of undrafted collegians, had the crowd on its feet throughout the ninth inning.
Then the Trappers rushed from the dugout in a scene usually reserved for October. The public address announcer reintroduced them individually, and they walked to the distant corners of Derks Field, waving to the appreciative crowd.
In the clubhouse, a bottle of champagne sat at each locker. The young Trappers, more accustomed to their alcohol in a can, seemed uncertain as to what to do with it. Then they popped the corks and began the ritualistic showers. How sweet the smell and feeling.
They have the record and the recognition now. Next, perhaps, will come an offer from one of those 26 teams that didn’t choose to draft any of them.
“Hopefully, this will turn some heads,” catcher Frank Colston said, alluding to the significance of the streak.
Colston doubled, tripled and drove in five runs Saturday night. He is the league’s leading hitter. He attended Louisiana Tech and is in his second year with the Trappers. Baseball rules stipulate that he must move on when the season is over.
“We’re not being cocky about this,” he said. “Everyone simply wants the opportunity to play at least one more year of pro ball. That’s what this is all about.
“None of us were drafted and now we have the longest winning streak in baseball history. It’s a great feeling and we don’t intend to let it end here.”
Manager Jim Gilligan sat in his crowded office, talking about the Trappers’ consistent effort. He was asked about comments made by St. Louis Cardinals Manager Whitey Herzog on CNN Saturday. Herzog said the Trappers were to be congratulated on their streak but that he didn’t think many of them would rise above their current rookie league level.
“I don’t care what Whitey Herzog said,” responded Gilligan, who is coming off 14 years as the baseball coach at Lamar University. “Has he seen us play? I mean, if he was with us tonight, he’d be getting drunk, too. These kids can play. Has anyone else ever won 28 straight?”
Koichi Ikeue, one of two pitchers on loan from the Kintetsu Buffalos, started for the Trappers but went only 1 innings. John Groennert came on to allow only 5 hits and 1 earned run over the final 7 innings.
“The rejects,” club President Jack Donovan beamed as Groennert and his teammates bathed in champagne, unaware, perhaps, that the ball with which they got the final out, and the official score sheet bearing their names are headed for the Hall of Fame.
Bill Murray wasn’t missed.