[h1]PAINTER: The House that Manny could help build[/h1]
Ramirez's appearance tonight at Lake Elsinore might turn out to be boon for Temecula-based charity
By Jill Painter, columnist
Updated: 06/26/2009 10:31:34 PM PDT
Manny Ramirez is expected to draw a crowd tonight at Lake Elsinore -- just like he did this past week at Albuquerque. His appearance tonight coincides with a prior promotion to benefit Jacob's House, a Temecula non-profit group. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz)
Manny Ramirez and his circus will roll through the Inland Empire this weekend.
Manny Mania will be highlighted by dreadlocks, No. 99s, beefed up security, additional concessions stands, sold-out minor-league stadiums and a crush of media.
Ramirez's march back to the majors is not a quiet one.
The Diamond, home of the Lake Elsinore Storm, will be Manny's house today.
It is supposed to be Jacob's House.
Today was an ordinary day dedicated to an extraordinary cause.
Before Ramirez was scheduled to star for the Dodgers' Single-A affiliate Inland Empire 66ers at Lake Elsinore, Jacob's House was the game's featured promotion.
And there's a contortionist scheduled, too.
There would have been no need to hire double the security or hire a private security firm, as one of the minor-league clubs did, if Manny wasn't here.
Ramirez is here because of a 50-game suspension for using drugs and he'll be the star of the show.
The Storm has sold out all 6,000 seats but still had 1,000 of the 2,000 grass seats remaining on Friday. If all 8,000 seats - averaging in price from $6 to $10 - are sold, that almost would double Lake Elsinore's average Saturday night attendance of 4,478.
It's a wonderful thing for Jacob's House, which will receive a percentage of the proceeds from today's game. Jacob's House is a nonprofit organization in Temecula that serves as a home away from home for families going through tragedies.
A section of the stadium will be home to children and parents wearing "Jacob's House" T-shirts. They'll have to share their stage.
Jacob's House officials aren't groaning at the prospect of playing second fiddle to Manny. Theybelieve their organization will benefit from the exposure of a packed house.
Vikita Poindexter, vice president of community affairs for Jacob's House, sent another e-mail campaign to folks about today's game when she learned Ramirez was scheduled to play at Lake Elsinore.
"We used Manny for encouragement for people to come out," Poindexter said. "The ones that were on the fence, when they heard Manny would be here, maybe they would jump on board. They're going to give us a percentage of the ticket sales and there's a silent auction that night. That's huge for us. Manny is an added blessing."
Temecula city manager Shawn Nelson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
His son, Jacob, was 24years old when he died in a car accident 2<MD+,%30,%55,%70>1/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>2 years ago. Jacob's House is named in his honor, and it provided a safe haven for Shawn, his wife Stephanie and their family.
It's been said a parent losing a child is the worst kind of pain, and unfortunately, Nelson knows. He's still dealing with it, but working on building Jacob's House a permanent home has helped ease the pain.
He's done the math on what donations from a capacity crowd of 8,000 would mean for Jacob's House.
"If just 4,000 people gave $20 a month, in five years we'd have $4.8 million," Nelson said.
Enough money for a real home for Jacob's House.
Lake Elsinore general manager Chris Jones said Jacob's House has been really helpful to the Storm, with a 5K race and other events. Jones was glad to give back to the organization and tonight is a thank you of sorts. Manny is giving back, too, without even knowing it.
Nelson will have informational booths around the stadium. He'll talk about Jacob's House between innings twice during the game.
Nelson is a Dodgers fan and has been amazed by what Ramirez has done in his career. His son, who played all sports, was a big Dodgers fan, too.
He believes Jacob will be at today's game in spirit.
"My son is with me everywhere I go," Nelson said. "He loved the Dodgers. There's going to be an angel in the outfield (tonight). I know he'll be blown away by the evening. The fact that it's called, `The Heart of Jacob Family Fun Night' would blow him away beyond belief. He will be there."
And Manny is expected to be there, too.
Shawn Nelson will share the same field with Ramirez when he goes to the mound before the first pitch. He hasn't warmed up and doesn't care if the ball makes it over home plate. He said he's just going to be a proud father.
And if he had a moment to chat with Ramirez?
"I would say that all things happen in life, whether they're good or bad for a reason," Nelson said. "I believe there's a reason he'll be at Lake Elsinore (tonight). It's not just a part of his rehab. It's an opportunity for him to bring people in to learn something meaningful and significant. I would ask him if he could sign a couple of jerseys or balls or caps or whatever could be auctioned off. Because of his influence, he has an opportunity to help other people.
"At the end of the day when all the dust has settled, I believe that's what it's all about, touching other people's lives."
The Diamond will be Manny's house today.
Let's not forget it's Jacob's House, too.
[h2]Wise Collects Johnny Bench Award[/h2]
Senior named nation's top collegiate catcher
June 26, 2009
WICHITA, Kan. -- Senior J.T. Wise added yet another accolade to his impressive resume as he was named the winner of the 2009 Johnny Bench Award. The honor, given annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher since 2000, was given out by the Hall of Fame catcher at a banquet in Wichita late Friday night.
Wise is the first Sooner to collect the award and the second catcher in the history of the Big 12 Conference (Kelly Shoppach - Baylor, 2001). Wise, Shoppach and Taylor Teagarden (2005-Texas) are the only Big 12 catchers to make the finalist list.
Tony Sanchez from Boston College and Chris Henderson from George Mason were the other 2009 finalists.
"I'd like to thank my parents, sister, girlfriend and coach for supporting me," stated Wise at the banquet. "I wish Tony and Chris luck as they continue in their careers."
In addition to some impressive offensive numbers, Wise thrived at the catcher position and threw out a Big 12 best 30 potential base stealers this year (52 percent). In addition, he picked off six runners and committed just two errors, good for a .996 fielding percentage.
In 2009, Wise was named an All-American by all four major outlets, including first team honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA). The 2009 Big 12 Player of the Year was also named a second team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches' Association (ABCA), Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.
He was also named to the All-Big 12 first team and to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team this season. Wise was also a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, an honor given out to the nation's top player.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wise was picked 157th overall two years removed from his 45th round selection in the 2007 draft.
Wise led all Sooners in 2009 with a .359 batting average, 17 home runs and a .665 slugging percentage and was tied for the team lead with 62 RBIs. He was named the Big 12 Player of the Year after leading the league during the regular season with a .375 batting average.
The Apopka, Fla., native played in all but two games for the Sooners this season with 55 starts and has a hit in 46 of those games. He hit safely in 16 of the final 20 contests. In Big 12 play, Wise hit well over .300 (.363) with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Wise started his collegiate career at Louisiana State and was named a freshman All-American at second base. Following his sophomore season at LSU, he transferred to OU and hit .278 with seven homers and 49 RBIs as a junior in 2008.