I am in my final semester of college and COVID-19 has definitely put a damper on all of my classes. But none were affected as tragically as JOUR-3360 Sports Reporting.
I looked forward to attending games and writing stories/producing post-game packages. There is nothing that compares to being up close and personal while action is unfolding. To learn directly from players and coaches their takes on performances, good and less good. To have access close enough to photograph beads of sweat as they run down a player's face.
While I got to do some pretty awesome sports photography before they were shut down indefinitely, I didn't get to do the in-depth features or game stories in real time. So my professor had to get creative with our assignments.
One such creation was having students watch a rerun of a game that was previously aired. I chose a game I attended so I could accurately report on atmosphere and events I remembered, only supplementing the story with stats and post-game quotes I collected online.
This is the result:
Two Texas legends simultaneously make baseball history
by Jeni King (article reflects coverage of a previously played game from July 30, 2017)
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Baltimore Orioles claimed a 10-6 win in Sunday’s rubber match at Globe Life Park in Arlington, but Rangers fans found plenty to celebrate on July 30, 2017 as two Texas legends simultaneously became part of baseball history.
Across the country, in Cooperstown, New York, retired Texas Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Nine minutes later, on his home field in Texas, Adrian Beltre all but guaranteed his own future Hall of Fame induction when he knocked down his 605th career double and joined another exclusive group of just 30 other players to boast 3,000 hits.
After Beltre went 2 for 4 in Friday night’s series opener against Baltimore, bringing his hit count to 2,998, fans quickly purchased more than 8,000 tickets in anticipation of the career milestone. But a 4-0 loss and only one hit by Beltre meant would-be witnesses would have to endure the blistering sun that comes with a 2:05 p.m. start time in Texas.
“I did want to get it yesterday, because I felt the support of fans. They were unbelievable,” Beltre said of coming up short the previous night.
But over 32,000 people were present for the last game of the series, excitement superseding discomfort as lefty Martin Perez faced leadoff hitter, center-fielder Adam Jones. Jones grounded out to third, giving Beltre the first play of the game with an easy throw to first baseman Joey Gallo for out no. 1.
Following three scoreless innings, Baltimore Oriole Manny Machado opened the floodgates on the first pitch of the fourth inning, lining a double out to left field. Perez walked Johnathan Schoop.
With two on base, designated hitter Trey Mancini lobbed one to shallow right field and scored Machado for the first run of the game. RBI singles from Welington Castillo and former Texas Ranger Chris Davis added two to the score. Ruben Tejada reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing Davis home before another Rangers alum, Craig Gentry, lined out to Rougned Odor at second.
Down 4-0 at the bottom of the fourth with Nomar Mazara at first on balls, Rangers’ beloved third baseman and five-time Gold Glover brought the entire stadium to its feet, the roar of the crowd at deafening levels. Cheers quickly turned to boos as Oriole pitcher Wade Miley fell way behind in the count, looking as though an intentional walk was planned.
“I wasn’t trying to let him get a hit, by any means,” Miley said.
Then, Beltre doubled the 3-0 pitch to left field, becoming the only Texas Ranger to reach one of the biggest milestones in baseball. Fireworks exploded over the stadium. The dugout cleared and eager teammates, led by close pal Elvis Andrus rushed to congratulate the 19-year baseball veteran with handshakes, hugs and in Andrus’ case, a sly rub to Beltre’s head.
When play resumed, Odor found the hole in Baltimore’s defensive shift and turned it into a two-RBI single, bringing Mazara and Beltre home and putting up the first points for the Rangers.
Odor would go on to drive in five of the six runs, with a solo homerun in the sixth inning off of former Texas Rangers reliever, Darren O’Day, and a two-run homerun in the eighth, bringing his total to 22 this season. Mazara drove in his 13th homerun of the season, also in the eighth inning.
A pair of homers by Schoop and Castillo in the fifth inning and a Schoop single in the sixth gave Baltimore a lead that the Rangers couldn’t catch.
But wins and losses are a recurring, inevitable and often forgettable part of every ball game. Rangers manager Jeff Bannister said that outstanding achievements like those of Adrian Beltre are marks in time and will be remembered by many others.
“They’re incredible to watch, to be part of,” he said. “I know I’ll never forget it.”
And thousands of miles away, brand new Hall of Fame inductee Pudge Rodriguez took a moment to congratulate Beltre, whom he said is a great leader.
“What he’s done for baseball is unbelievable. On and off the field,” Rodriguez said.
He assured Beltre that he would be home soon to congratulate and hug him in person.
“I’ll be touching his head,” he said.
