[rpriske]

March 4th, 1985

I was not only invited to Spring Training (at 16 years old!) but I am playing SS and hitting lead-off in the Giants' first Spring Training game.

They are facing the Phillies. John Denny is pitching.

1st inning, 1st batter... Juan Samuel hit a single past me. No error but I think I should have had it.

My first at-bat is a fly out to RF.

In the 2nd I made his first defensive groundball play but the nerves were still apparent as it was a bit off line and 1Bman Mike Aldrete had to bail me out.

In the 3rd it got worse as I got another groundball which I threw off-line for my first error. That should have been the 3rd out but instead the bases were loaded. It lead to an unearned run for the Phillies and the Giants were now down 2-0.

I led off in the bottom of the inning, trying to make up for my blunder, but just grounded out to 1B.

4th inning... another ground ball, another error. This time I couldn't get the ball out of my glove.
No runs came of it this time.

5th inning, the first time I didn't lead off. Aldrete was on 2nd with one out. I flew out harmlessly to CF.

7th inning, caught a pop-up by Len Matuszek.

I am removed for pinch-hitter Brad Wellman.

The Giants lost to the Phillies 4-3.

Not an auspicious spring debut. I went 0 for 3 and made two errors.