Gomes Golden In Career 1B Debut

The World Baseball Classic induced a none to classic lineup for the Reds today. With Joey Votto off to Team Canada, PTown's Jonny Gomes made his first start ever at 1B.  Not even in Little League, where he was a itty bitty yet fearsome catcher, had Jonny played first base.  Longtime Little League umpire Donny Armstrong remembers being introduced to the ten year old catcher and asking his manager, "Where's the rest of him?"

Whoda thunk it way back then?  That pint sized catcher made it to The Show. And his team made it to the World Series.

Happily, he rocked at first base today with a handful of plays at first, at least one unassisted, and a 4-6-3 doubleplay feather in the cap. Offensively, he singled in his first at bat and hit a sac fly to drive in the game's first... and the Reds' only run. He worked 5 innings at first before Barker replaced him in the 6th and the Reds bullpen gave up two runs to lose the game.

Today's Pearls of Wisdom:

1)  Practice Teamwork

.

.

2) Stay focused on your job.  (Even if you're not completely sure what you're doing.)

.

because

3) Nothing is impossible.

.

.

From Hal McCoy at the Dayton Daily News:

"WITH JOEY VOTTO gone to play for the Canadian team in the WBC, Baker begins a test to see who can play first base and who can’t.The first candidate Monday was Jonny Gomes, an outfielder by trade, but a man looking for a job and willing to do whatever it takes. “Now is the time to check it out with everybody, while Votto is gone,” said Baker. “He has worked out over there with Votto and (infield coach) Chris Speier.”

Gomes said it is a new adventure.

“No, I’ve never played there and we’re soon going to find out if I can,” he said. “We’re going to find out in a hurry. It’ll be a big yes or a big no. But Bake (Baker) asked if I’d try it and I said, ‘Heck, yeah. Maybe it’ll help me make the team.’ “

Never is so yesterday.  Go Jonny Go.