Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | 6 a.m.
Bishop Gorman’s baseball team has experienced the American Legion World Series. Now, it will experience the real World Series.
The 18 members who comprised the Summerlin private school’s final roster for the 2008 American Legion season will be honored for winning the American Legion national championship at the second game of the World Series on Oct. 23.
The game will take place either at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, depending on which team wins the American League Championship Series.
The squad will be announced to the crowd as champions shortly before first pitch. They went 5-0 at the Legion series in August, winning the title with a 5-1 victory against Pasco, Wash.
“To take a trip to the East Coast and be recognized in front of people at the ultimate World Series, I think this is probably the best honor they could receive,” Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. “How many people do you know that have had the opportunity to go to a World Series and how many have been on the field to be honored for something they’ve done? I think this will be a lifetime memory for them.”
Joey Rickard, a now senior outfielder, has been to Major League Baseball games in Los Angeles and San Diego but never to a World Series.
“It’s definitely a big prize and a sign of what we’ve accomplished,” Rickard said. “It’s big for us, but honestly, I think we deserve it.”
Jeff Malm, who recorded three saves during the series, which was played in Shelby, N.C., is hoping the Red Sox host the game.
“Just the history of that ballpark, I never got to be there for any game and to be there for a World Series game will be amazing,” Malm said.
Malm said he went to the National League Championship Series in Arizona last season but never to a World Series.
“To able to win a national championship and call yourself the best team in the country is an honor,” Malm said. “But then to be rewarded with a trip to the World Series is an experience I will remember the rest of my life.”
Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].
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