The “Bill” Strikes Again
The Horse's Mouth: Never a Dull Moment in Kentucky
Rusty Nobbs, Bluegrass Roundup
6/8/2009: Yuma, AZ – Here we are following the First Year Player Draft of 2009 and have reached the day before the Surf and Snow Amalgamation begins play. GM Rudis directed the first three picks from his dimly lit basement before turning the draft over to owner Bill Shatner. Shatner also headed up the 2008 draft, picking nine pitchers with Kentucky's first nine picks. This year it appeared as though Kentucky had done a complete swing and planned on selecting nothing but position players.
Something was not right with Bill. He made pick after pick of unranked players, selecting an overabundance at certain positions. In rounds 18 and 20 Bill selected teammates (who were roommates) 2B Mike Graham and CF Martin Patterson. Very odd indeed, since both were also bench players for WVU and saw very limited action; they probably made the team so the starters would have someone to play during scrimmages.
What was even more unusual is that Patterson was notified by Bill late last month that Kentucky was planning on taking him … Patterson was not reachable after the draft. Instead he chose to spend a week water skiing at Blennerhassett State Park near WVU in Parkersburg, West Virginia. His agent, 18 year old brother Markus Patterson, accepted his 20th round selection (464th overall) and said he would call Martin and make the arrangements for him to travel to Barrow, Alaska for locker assignment, team meeting and first practice.
Martin never showed up in Barrow. His personals arrived there the day before the team was scheduled to meet. It included a box with holes containing his good luck pet gerbil, and various photos and articles of his sports heroes. But to the team’s dismay, Martin never stepped foot in the clubhouse. After first practice the Thoroughbreds front office contact both the Office of the Commissioner and Markus Patterson. Markus was unavailable, so a message was left on his cell phone stating the team's concerns and asking for a call back.
Mike Graham came forward to say that he heard from his girlfriend’s best friend's cousin's next door neighbor's cleaning lady that Martin was in a accident while water skiing the day before the draft. Who believes rumors anyhow? GM Rudis again contacted the Office of the Commissioner asking for assistance in the matter of the missing lad, stating that there is no word from family or friends on the whereabouts of Martin Patterson.
In other news, first pick Dan Traux is expected to miss 5 months with a broken foot, allowing Rich Cunningham to begin 2009 as the starting LF in Barrow after coming over in the Lozano deal. Second round pick Fernando Flores is expected to battle with Todd Shields (2008 10th round selection) for RF duties. Third pick CF Oliver Neal was assigned to AAA Jefferson County. Fourth rounder Pat Jackson is expected to be the everyday CF for Barrow. With these first four picks being outfielders, Kentucky has addressed a huge hole in lack of outfield potential by creating a five-way competition in SS-A Barrow. Rumors are swirling that the organization is considering resurfacing both SS-A Barrow and Hi-A Roanoke home fields.
Baseball is back in Barrow!!!