#34, LHP John Titus (pitching for the Southeast Texas Sun Devils, at the IBC World Series in St. Petersburg, Florida) had a very noteworthy accomplishment on July 22nd, 2006.The team’s right-handed power pitcher, Ronnie “El Tiburon” Sanchez got into trouble in the 2nd inning, allowing two runs to tie the score. “Papa John” was called upon to go the final five frames, which he did in historic fashion.
John hurled all five innings, striking out nine Indians and allowing zero runs. The fourth inning provided rare pitching excellence that can not be statistically exceeded. He struck out the side on nine pitches.
Exhaustive research does not show that this record for consecutive strikes has ever been achieved at the professional level. However, on a similar note in 1884 New York pitcher Mickey Welch struck out the first nine Cleveland Blues hitters to face him establishing a major league record for most consecutive strikeouts.
At the youth level, Cooperstown, New York’s Dream Park reports that then-12 year old, Alex Levis of the Montreal Royals (Canada), threw 19 consecutive strikes on 7/11/05.
Unforgettable Sports Memories Dept.
The Houston Chronicle reported on August 10, 2006 that a 19 year old fan that recently jumped from the 2nd deck of Yankee stadium onto the net behind home plate has been banned for the rest of his life from the historic ballpark.
It makes me wonder what ever happened to a certain South Texas Sports Legend, Victor Lombrana. This young man was a 19 year old Senior at La Porte High School in 2002. During halftime of the football game against the hated Deer Park Varsity, Lombrana and a friend disrobed and ran across midfield to the simultaneous astonishment, excitement and horror of the huge crowd. He was sent to an alternative school to finish out the school year. Lombrana had been an honors student.
Guy at a Burger King Drive Through: “Hey Vic, remember that time you stripped naked and ran across the football field and all the cheerleaders screamed, and all hell broke loose?”
Vic: “Yeah, man. I don’t know what came over me. Would you like fries and an apple pie with your order?”
The Ultimate Fantasy Football League of All Time and Space Dept.
The following intrepid sports-fans have joined the league:
Travis Wilson - Terrell, Texas... Sugar Rush
Patrick Titus - Beaumont, Texas... Aggie12thMan
John Titus - Beaumont, Texas... Security Envelopes
Sean O'Connor - Chicago, Il... Coho Salmon, Insane Coho Lips 2
Todd Projansky - Chicago, Il... Projo's Dojo
Todd Keeler - Chicago, Il... Uptown Uglies
Tim Phillips - Arlington, TX... Arlington Oak
Paul Mefford - Lake Jackson, TX... WannaBeAggie
The deadline for joining is 9/7/06. If you or a friend would like to join this free online league, hosted by SportingNews.Com, please send me an email at teamtitus@netzero.net.
America's Team Dept.
My good friend, Travis Wilson referred me to Dallas Cowboy Great Rayfield Wright’s Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech. After reading it, I was struck by his simple courage.
Society is at war today. There is a war against God today. It is evidenced in the music and images that cheapen our little girls as well as glorify sex and drugs. It is evidenced by our liberal media who can not tolerate Christians because they regard them as intolerant. And, it is evident in the wars that we witness and society’s unwillingness to see them from a Biblical perspective.
I was struck by the clarity and honesty of Wright’s speech, which so starkly constrasted America's general non-commital cowardice; his unwavering faith in God and commitment to family, as well as his humility. Our country used to be able to produce people weak of means and opportunity, but strong in faith and family. In light of the war that society fights today, one has to wonder if society won't snuff out the light of the brilliant and bright Rayfield Wrights of this generation.
One last thought: In light of these trying times, imagine the earnest source of truth Reggie White (the posthumous HOF inductee who traveled to Israel in 1998 to study Christianity and it's kinship with the Jews) might have provided to the children of our time, had he lived to give his Christian testimony at his HOF Induction.
Rayfield Wright's Acceptance to HOF
