From The Dugout: Alumni Game At PK Park
From the Dugout: Alumni Game At PK Park
Last Friday over 70 members of the Oregon Baseball Alumni family convened at PK Park for the second annual Red Lion alumni game/reunion.
Former Ducks warmed up with a little batting practice before hitting the field under looming clouds.
Some current and former players took the time to visit with GoDucks.TV and shared some of their fondest Oregon Baseball memories.
Danny Pulfer and Hal Zurcher
The oldest alumnus in attendance was Hal Zurcher, who came out to PK Park just a week short of his 84th birthday. While talking to sophomore infielder Danny Pulfer, Hal shared his heartfelt memories of the 1947, 1948 and 1949 seasons that fell just short of championship titles with Washington State standing in the way. He also recalled living in the basement at McArthur Court, playing for then head coach Howard Hobson and playing with former student-athlete (1949-51) and later head coach (1971-1981) Mel Krause during Krause’s freshman season in 1949.
Andrew Schmidt and Dean Roberts
Dean Roberts recalled his playing days (1972-75) for Oregon with current senior infielder Andrew Schmidt. Dean was part of history on April 15, 1974, when the Ducks hit four consecutive home runs in the fifth inning of a 9-5 win over Portland. He also remembered playing his freshman season with older brother Dave Roberts in 1972, when Dave was named the Collegiate Player of the Year and was later the first pick of the Major League Baseball Draft.
Zack Thornton and Rich Bean
Former Duck Rich Bean talked with senior right-hander Zack Thornton about Howe Field, the construction of PK Park and his expectations for the upcoming 2010 season.
There were also family members that attended the game in respect of deceased alumni, including Mel Krause's wife Jan, Jim Hanns' ('51) wife, Pat, and Slug Palmer's ('32) daughter Joan.
Don’t forget if you want to catch a preview of the Ducks’ 2010 season, Oregon will be in Bend for an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 17. Click HERE for more details.
