SEATTLE MARINERS

Baseball memories: It all started with an 11-year-old named ‘Boogie’

Mar 31, 2016, 3:23 PM | Updated: Apr 1, 2016, 5:50 am

Gee Scott played high school baseball and college basketball, but his hit against an 11-year-old called Boogie still stands out. (Gee Scott, 710 ESPN Seattle)

(Gee Scott, 710 ESPN Seattle)

Leading up to Mariners opening day, we are asking 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio hosts about their favorite baseball memory. Leave your own unforgettable moment in the comments.

It all started with an 11-year-old named Boogie.

Boogie was a mini Randy Johnson pitching for the Chicago Phillies. Boogie threw hard, from an angle. Standing at the plate against Boogie was a terrifying experience.

“I never knew his government name, but everybody called him Boogie,” says 710 ESPN Seattle’s Gee Scott. “Where I’m from, everybody’s got nicknames. Boogie was the best pitcher in the league and he threw side-arm. Everyone was intimidated by Boogie.”

It’s 1987 and Gee’s Ojays are down 3-0 in the bottom of the last inning. Boogie is staring down from the mound. Boogie has been dominant, but, for some reason has gone wild.

“He hits one of our guys, walks another, and walks another. Now I’m up to bat,” Gee said. “At this time at Palmer Park, where we played, there was no fence. We were just in a park. First pitch, I hit the ball down the first base line really, really far. I ended up getting a grand slam on that. Game winner; game’s over.”

Gee’s career in sports didn’t end there as he played high school baseball – once hitting three homers in a game – and college basketball. But his blast against Boogie still stands out.

“That grand slam against Boogie was my greatest moment,” he said.

Related: Baseball memories: ‘That’s why they’re still a special team to me’

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers
High 52° | Low 36°
Roof is open
Reds at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger Jorge Polanco...

The Associated Press

Mariners bats break out in 9-3 win over Cincinnati Reds

Jorge Polanco and Mitch Haniger homered, and the Seattle Mariners' slumping offense produced a season high in runs in a 9-3 win over the Reds.

16 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Brent Stecker

Mariners Updates: Latest on Canzone injury; Clase set to debut

Injured Seattle Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone spoke to the media a day after spraining his AC joint on a catch. Details on that and more.

23 hours ago

Seattle Mariners...

Zac Hereth

Salk: The problem with Mariners’ offense is a new one

The Seattle Mariners made an effort to improve their contact and reduce strikeouts in the offseason. Now they're having a power problem.

24 hours ago

Astros Verlander...

Kristie Rieken

AL West Check-In: Astros’ Verlander nears season debut

Astros ace Justin Verlander will throw a side session Tuesday, and if that goes well he’ll make his season debut this weekend against the Washington Nationals.

24 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Jonatan Clase...

Brent Stecker

Mariners call up one of their top prospects as Canzone goes on IL

The Seattle Mariners have made a surprising choice in calling up Jonatan Clase to take the place of injured outfielder Dominic Canzone.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Zac Hereth

Video: Mariners outfielder pays price for spectacular catch

Seattle Mariners' Dominic Canzone exited Sunday's game early with an AC joint sprain after crashing into the wall for a tough catch.

2 days ago

Baseball memories: It all started with an 11-year-old named ‘Boogie’