While we're on the topic of "In Memorys," most of you probably don't even remember me (1966-1968). But this isn't about me. I remember Dennis Daniel Draney for two reasons: 1. He died at 20 years of age in 1972 and, 2. I faced him a few times in 3&2 baseball and his fastball was unreal. I believe I was 1 for 5 against Dennis. Amazingly, he actually managed to hit my bat with his pitched ball one time. Don't know what happened to him; but facing him while in the batter's box was terrifying. Everyone needs to be remembered, right?
I went to grade school as well as high school with Dennis, and we were close friends. Fifty years later, I still miss him. If you think his fast ball was intimidating, you should have seen his underhand softball knuckler. It looked like a blindfolded drunken man trying to pirouette! Starting one direction as it left his hand, suddenly lurching up, down, left or right before slipping past your bat. It was awe inspiring.
Thanks, Bill. I can only imagine! There's not a lot I remember from the pre-HS era; but a Draney fastball was one of them. He had "major league" written all over him.
Mike Boyle
While we're on the topic of "In Memorys," most of you probably don't even remember me (1966-1968). But this isn't about me. I remember Dennis Daniel Draney for two reasons: 1. He died at 20 years of age in 1972 and, 2. I faced him a few times in 3&2 baseball and his fastball was unreal. I believe I was 1 for 5 against Dennis. Amazingly, he actually managed to hit my bat with his pitched ball one time. Don't know what happened to him; but facing him while in the batter's box was terrifying. Everyone needs to be remembered, right?William (Bill) Pierron
I went to grade school as well as high school with Dennis, and we were close friends. Fifty years later, I still miss him. If you think his fast ball was intimidating, you should have seen his underhand softball knuckler. It looked like a blindfolded drunken man trying to pirouette! Starting one direction as it left his hand, suddenly lurching up, down, left or right before slipping past your bat. It was awe inspiring.
Mike Boyle
Thanks, Bill. I can only imagine! There's not a lot I remember from the pre-HS era; but a Draney fastball was one of them. He had "major league" written all over him.