News
Briefly
Calendar of Events
Commentary
Opinions
Sports
Diversions
World News
Login
Letter Submission
Search
Archive
Publishing Policy
Classifieds
Mail Subscriptions
St. Cloud State University
College Publisher
Home
>
News
It's been a Long run
Three-year veteran Wes Long has made his mark in 'Bats history, breaking numerous team records in another great season
By Bobby Hart
Published:
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Media Credit: scott theisen
Shortstop Wes Long frok the All-Time League Record for most games played on Monday.
Throughout the past six years, many popular traditions at Dick Putz field have made River Bats baseball not only one of the most successful teams in the Northwoods League, but also one of the most entertaining environments for fans. The infamous "beer batter" awards the fans with half-price beer after a selected opposing player strikes out; the 'Bat mobile' that cruises around the field; and the occasional post-game fireworks.
But perhaps the most famous fixture over the last three years is the song "Long Neck Bottle" by Garth Brooks, which blasts over the field speakers whenever junior Auburn native Wes Long steps to the plate.
Considering that Long just broke the All-Time League Record for games played on Monday with his 174th appearance (previously held by Shayne Carnes) while holding the All-Time River Bats record with 668 career at-bats, "Long Neck Bottle" has had its fair share of airtime at Dick Putz field. A rough estimate: 1002 times.
"Sometimes with those songs you just run into them and they click with the fans," said River Bat general manager Scott Schreiner. "You play it once and then twice and all the sudden the fans are looking forward to it. Whether I hear that song in my car or in a restaurant, I'll think of Wes Long and that will be in my mind for the rest of my life."
Long's River Bats summer resume is possibly the best of all time. He holds club records for career doubles (33), stolen bases (45) and needs only two hits and six walks to break Tony Arnerich's records at 184 and 70 in each respective category. The right-handed infielder also joins Arnerich and Mike Kunes as the only three-year all-stars.
"(Records are) not something that you really think about because in summer league, people don't make a big deal out of it like they do at school," Long said. "It's just nice to know that you had a good career when people start mentioning you with names like Tony Arnerich and other guys that were here before you and had good careers."
Many thought that Long would have gotten picked up by a major- league farm club before this summer, but as former teammates Chris Kinsey and Joe Gaetti caught their breaks in the big leagues, the junior Alabama-Huntsville shortstop was left in the dust.
"I thought we'd lose him this year to the major league draft but things didn't work out," Schreiner said. "I hope he gets that (Major League) opportunity because that kid deserves it. I'm surprised he's still around here."
Long, who holds the Alabama-Huntsville hit record with 85, decided to make the best of the situation.
"It was a little disappointing this year not getting a chance to play in pro ball," he said. "I'd like to think that I'll get a chance next season. But things happen for a reason and that's pretty much the only way I can look at it. There's no reason to dwell on not getting drafted so I just tried to come up here to do the best I can this summer."
So far, Long has done just that. After cutting the mullet, and gaining noticeable pounds of muscle mass, a new and improved Wes Long stepped onto the field at the beginning of the summer. He holds a .281 average (fourth on team), while leading the league in doubles (13), and the team in runs (27), walks (32), games played (52) and at-bats (185). He is second on the team in hits (52) and RBIs (24 ), has the second least amount of strike-outs (19) and boasts a .422 slugging percentage behind Chris Denove, who has only 86 at-bats this season. It's fair to say Long is one of the major reasons the 'Bats are 12-9 and at the top of the North Division.
Although Long won't be able to break Kinsey's record for gamesplayed-in-a-season (with 64 thanks to a rain-out) he is on pace to be the second player (with Kinsey) to play in every game of the season. He was also inches away from getting MVP honors in this year's All-Star game with a 3-3 two-run performance that also included a stolen base.
"With all his experience up here, he's probably been in every situation you can think of and there's nobody else you'd want to rely on than a three year all-star," said teammate Matt Petrusek, who currently has the second longest tenure with the 'Bats, next to Long, after coming halfway through the season three years ago. "It seems like the more he plays the happier he is. He's a goofball. He likes to have a fun time and kid around with everybody. Everybody loves Wes."
Long has been basically a St. Cloud native for the last three summers, although nobody would believe it by his southern accent. Like many students and residents, Long spends time at the local bars, beaches and the quarries. If he does get recognized by major league scouts this season and heads out to the minors next summer, it will be as if St. Cloud is saying goodbye to one of its very own.
"I've basically grown up here," Long said. "All my college summers have been up here. My host family (John, Theresa, Joe, Jake, and Anna Wenzel) has been like a second family to me and a lot of the fans know me on a first name basis. I like Minnesota. It's a pretty nice place and I've made a lot of friends, so I'll miss not playing here as well as all the people I've met. I think that I'll have to come back up here to visit."
When Wes Long steps up to the plate to the sound of "Long Neck Bottle" for the last time later this summer, emotions will fly high among coaches, teammates and fans.
"He'll go down as one of the best (River Bats) of all time," Schreiner said. "He's a career guy and that's special. Wes Long will be one of those guys that go down in history with the big names of River Bats baseball.
I cherish all of our three- year guys because they give you three summers of hard work. Good old 'Long Neck Bottle' will always be remembered, I'll guarantee you that."
(The statistics mentioned in this story were current as of 7 p.m. Wednesday.)
Forum:
No comments have been posted for this story.
Post a comment
Privacy Policy
Network Advertising
Article Syndication
