verdugo288

John Rogers was always one of my favorite players.  He could play anywhere.  He had a great attitude.  He loved Baseball.  He was a winner.  And most importantly, he was full of shit.  And I mean that in the VERY BEST of ways.  He could sell you. 

No matter WHERE you put him on the field….he just looked  like he knew what he was doing.  It was all in his mannerisms.  He would change ’em up, too.  He would move around like a middle infielder if he was playing shortstop or second base.  He would stand a little more upright.  He would have a little more of a bounce in his step.  If he was playing first or third for us he would move around like he was a power threat.  He’s hold his glove in his right hand  in-between pitches, while at the same time widening his stance a little and have an appearance of “digging in”….kind of like a power-hitting corner infielder would. 

When he was a middle infielder he would cover his mouth with his glove if he was talking to someone else on the field.  When he was a corner infielder he’d just bark it out like a corner guy would.

You could put him anywhere on the field and it would appear as though he had been playing that position his whole life!

And let me tell you something…he was a hell of an outfielder and was a DAMN good catcher!!!!

But Rogers saved his best mannerisms for when he really had the spotlight and could ham it up a little….when he was on the mound!!!

It was priceless to watch. 

Rogers had all of the moves.  Focused on the catcher as he readied himself for the next pitch, he’d still move around the hill with precision.  He got that jersey of his all ready.  He might pull up the sleeve a little on his left arm.  Constantly adjusting the cap.  Backing off of the rubber and licking his fingers, giving the impression that he might be “loading up” the next pitch.  A little right shoulder twitch to make sure all of the moving parts in that shoulder of his were all lined up properly.

When he was in the stretch it was even better.  He’d wrap his right arm behind him as he looked in for the sign in a semi-crouched position.  The ball was still visible to the hitter (I’m sure by design) where Rogers would spin it around in his hand as he shook-off signals.  Sometimes he’d back out of the pitch, step off of the rubber and call the catcher out to “get on the same page.” 

For most pitchers…going through these “motions” actually hurt their results.  Not with Rogers.  He was just letting everyone in the park know this….”I know what I’m doing out here.”

And he actually had pretty damn good stuff. 

Valley “E.T.” ….our opponent on this fine day, was pretty much otherworldly  in their ability to lose games…and this was the perfect landing place for Rogers’ spaceship. 

We punished ’em 13-1.  We mercied them in the sixth inning.  The game ended when HACK came up and BOMBARDED a towering bases-loaded triple.

The line on Rogers?  Six innings.  Five hits.  Two walks.  Six K’s.  ONE earned run.  Verdugo goes to 8-4!!!

HACK had two hits and four RBI.  Turner had two hits and four RBI.  Parker had two hits.  ELMO had two hits.  Rounding it out was Moreno, BullOxen, and Yves with base hits.

Remember, Rogers had ALL of the mannerisms……so when he pitches, he knows he has to HIT like a pitcher does, too.  Rogers was o-2 on the day! 

Yes-sir-ree…..’Ol John Rogers………the greatest mannerisms in the history of Verdugo!!!  And while Rogers had all of the mannerisms…..I think it’s safe to say that when on the field for Verdugo, he had absolutely NO manners whatsoever!!!

And that’s what we all loved about him!!!