Keenan with help from Coach

As I reflected on all the times I shared with Gregg
it was so hard to pick just one moment or event. As
some of you may know I am working with Paul "The
Pounder" again at the JV level at Sachem. I thought
he through recruiting and luck is primarily
responsible for uniting the Wahoos as friends. We sat
down after the game last night and I told him about
the letter. The two of us immediately thought of "The
Dominican Game". I don't know who will remember this
but here it goes.
It was May 9th, 1990. We were playing in the first
baseball playoff game in SJC history. The score was
3-2 in the eight inning. Dominican had runners on
second and third with there stud catcher and #4 hitter
at the plate. The kid was drafted by the Brewers that
year. Craig Capo was pitching, he was working a gem.
He had the kid 0-2. I called for a waste pitch high
and in. Just as Capo came to his set Gregg calls time
out. He walks over to Capo and starts calling me out
from behind the plate. I start to argue with Gregg
because he is breaking Capo's Rhythm. Gregg tells me
to have Capo throw a fast ball right down the middle
because Capo had such good control that day that he
had wasted 10 0-2's and that the kid would never be
expecting it. So, of course we then started to argue
about that. This took a minute or so and Trudnak
comes walking to the mound to find out what is going
on. So I tell him Gregg is crazy and that we should
waste the 0-2. Trudnak gets that look in his eye and
says do it!! Capo pops a fast ball right down the
middle. The kid doesn't move an inch. Strike three,
three outs. We score 2 more in the ninth and win the
FIRST PLAYOFF GAME BY ANY TEAM IN THE HISTORY OF SJC.

In the years since we often reflected upon that
story. As Paul and I discussed it was just "Gregg"
being "Gregg". He was a leader, he wasn't afraid to
take chances or take responsibility for making a
mistake or for being right. On that day, as on all
the other days that we have known him he was true to
himself, his friends and his family. I also owe him
big now because everyday when I wake up for work or go
to sleep at night I kiss Gina, tell her I love her and
thank god for all the good things I have in life.
During this time I often think of Gregg, who
appreciated life everyday and packed a great life into
30 years. At that point I usually thank Gregg for
what he taught me and the friendship he gave. The
biggest lesson "be a man of conviction, right or
wrong, stand up for what you believe is right.

Sincerely:
Robert Keenan
with heart felt motivation from coach
Paul Trudnak