Muskegon Memories

So former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Gary Hogeboom is going to be one of the new competitors on "Survivor?" Based on my history with Hogeboom, chances are he'll be a no-show. But that's okay, because his first no-show led to one of my personal career highlights. Cue the flashback effect...

It was spring of 1986 and yours truly was interning at the Muskegon (Michigan) Chronicle. Hometown hero Gary Hogeboom was all set to throw out the first pitch at opening day of the Muskegon Little League baseball season. I wasn't on the sports beat at the time, but they gave me the assignment to go out there and interview Hogeboom.

Of course, I was a college junior at the time, so it's no surprise that I woke up that Saturday morning with a raging hangover. And I was running late. So I threw on my Mets cap and raced down to the field, where all the teams were gathered and waiting for a big opening ceremony. I found the league organizers, identified myself and asked to see Hogeboom.

He was not coming, I was told. "Hey," one guy said, "you're from the Chronicle?"

"Yes, well, I'm an intern," I replied, head pounding with every word uttered.

"That's okay. Can you throw out the first pitch?"

Those poor kids. They lined up all the teams down both foul lines, played the National Anthem and then made the following announcement over the loudspeaks: "And now, to throw out the first pitch of the 1986 Muskegon Little League season, from the Muskegon Chronicle... Craig Ellenport!"

As I walked to the mound, wondering if this was really happening and focusing all my energy on trying not to puke, I could feel the eyes of every child and parent looking at me and thinking, "Who the fuck is that guy?"

It was weird and awkward, to say the least. But after lobbing one into the catcher and hearing a smattering of confused applause, I got into the moment. As I marched off the pitcher's mound, I smiled and waved to my adoring fans.

And then I went home to sleep.