Todd Frazier Gets To Bat

I know to most of you it meant nothing but to some of us Todd Frazier making his major league debut last night was a big deal and it brought a certain amount of pride to see “one of our own” make it where so few have.

As first reported here Monday the Toms River native was called up from the minors by the Cincinnati Reds and last night wearing #21 there he was on the field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It had been a whirlwind 24 hours or so for the 25-year old Frazier who spent most of Sunday night calling family and friends when he learned that he was being promoted from Triple A Louisville to the big club. Many asked about tickets which of course first went to family members, including parents Charles and Joan and older brother Charlie. Every game in Philly is a tough ticket as they’ve officially sold out their last 149 at Citizens Bank Park but Monday was even more difficult because All-Star Chase Utley was making his season debut and it was dollar hot dog night. As it turns out 45,841 squeezed into the park…the largest regular-season crowed in its eight-year history. About 100 of them were there to see Frazier’s major league debut and in the 6th inning he was told to grab a bat and he made his way to the on-deck circle.

Lefthander Cole Hamels was struggling a bit for the Phillies and it seemed like a good matchup for the former Toms River South and Rutgers star but the inning ended just before Frazier’s turn to bat. However he would lead off the 7th as a pinch-hitter and one can only imagine the butterflies that he felt; although this is a moment he’s prepared for since his days as a little league star. The Phillies brought in hard-throwing righty Michael Stutes and Frazier’s first swing on the first pitch was memorable as the bat slipped out of his hands and landed near the photo pit behind the Reds dugout pretty close to fans. He would end up striking out and while disappointed those who came to see him were at least rewarded for their efforts.

Tonight I will be among those making the trip to Philly to see Todd and once again you can expect a large group of family and friends on hand to witness what’s been years in the making. For thousands of baseball players their best days come as a little leaguer or maybe a high school player. Frazier was as big a star as you can be as a 12-year old and through his teen-age years but unlike most of them his memories don’t end there…as a matter of fact they may just be starting.