Merrimack – After finishing in last place the previous two seasons, Buck O’Neil realized the importance of his Fleas team getting off to a good start in the 2010 KCBL. On Monday night in Merrimack, his team accomplished that goal, taking two of three games from the Owls.
The Fleas offense was clicking on all cylinders in a 19-9 Game 1 victory. O’Neil’s single-season draft selections lived up to expectations as Jackie Robinson and George Selkirk combined to reach base 14 out of 14 plate appearances. Wade Boggs also contributed by going 5-6 with 5 RBI.
Game 2 belonged to the Owls from the beginning as Warren Spahn effectively shut down the Fleas. The Owls also got a big boost from Lifetimer Ryne Sandberg as he went 2-3, stole two bases, scored 3 runs, and delivered a game-clinching grand slam late in the game. The contribution from Sandberg was especially welcome after a disappointing start for Dale Murphy. Murph struggled in the first game, and was eventually benched in Game 2 after striking out his first three plate appearances.
The final game of the evening was everything but the rubber match showdown the Merrimack fans had hoped for. The Fleas got to starter Tom Glavine early and never relented. Seemingly everyone in the Westport lineup caught fire as the Fleas exploded for a 23-7 victory. Jimmie Foxx concluded a monster offensive series by reaching base all 7 times, blasting 3 HRs, scoring 6 times, and driving in 10 runs. Foxx finished the series with 5 home runs and 14 RBI, and led a Fleas attack that thrived on the long ball by leaving the park 10 times.
Buck O’Neil sounded surprisingly reserved after the encouraging offensive performances, “It was a good start. We won on the road, which is always good. It’s nice to not have a hole to dig out of like we usually have to.” When asked to comment on Jimmie Foxx’s massive output, O’Neil simply replied “Jimmie’s good. I mean, I guess he’s alright for a white guy”, before bursting into laughter.
