verdugo288

Our Big Train rolled into St. Francis looking to close a couple of more deals.  Well, the deal(s) had already been closed.  Kirk Hagge and Dan Bir boarded the Verdugo Train.  No questions asked.  They already knew what the rules were thanks to Bull.  Bull had already spelled it out to them.  And when BullOxen spells something out….well, it’s kind of like “Rocko” or “Vito” from THE MOB spelling it out.  And we didn’t have to break any kneecaps to get Bir and Haggs on board.

They were totally into it!  And GREAT players who were still young.  Both would have three years of eligibility with our Program.  So once again….our future looked bright.  I had watched both of them play a couple of games for St. Francis that spring and I liked what I saw. 

Bir was a pretty big kid to begin with and his hands and feet were even bigger.  He was going to be huge someday!

Hagge was already like 6-4.  And only sixteen!  He could switch-hit.  He could play anywhere on the field for you. 

They both had grown up in the La Crescenta area and knew all of the guys on the Team.  The chemistry with the other guys was already there.  It was wonderful bringing them onto our Train.  It was a perfect fit.

I had decided that thirteen was going to be the magic number for our Roster.  As of now….we had TEN.  The final stop on my recruiting trip for ’92 was going to be CV.  I knew pretty much every kid at CV.  

I had coached every guy on their Team over the last couple of years.  There was plenty of talent there.  But I wasn’t looking for talent alone.  It was all about attitude.  And having that proverbial chip on the shoulder.  I was going to have to REALLY do some thinking about this one.  One of them was a no-brainer:  Fielder.  He had the attitude and the chip on the shoulder.  His seat was already reserved.  But I still had a couple of seats left on the train.  And rumors were flying around that about TEN guys wanted in. 

I decided to actually go with two guys who didn’t even realize that they were in the running for those last couple of seats.  And it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.