Days of Yesteryear

ROCHESTER, MN (August 10, 2013)--- The La Crescent Apple Jacks’ rivalry with the Roosters is friendly and enduring, an occurrence not uncommon among Minnesota vintage base ball teams. Hence, the Jacks tipped their caps to the Roosters of Olmsted County, who bested the Jacks during the Days of Yesteryear game in Rochester 12 to 7.

The Roosters got off to a jack-rabbit start in the first inning, putting up 7 aces (runs). The Jacks returned fire when Jim “Scoop” Schupbach drove in two aces and then scored. The Jacks played steadily, putting up 17 hits. Together, Dan “Skunk” Deetz and his sons—Benjamin “George, Samuel “Slim” and Erik “Stretch”—accounted for six hits. Alas, the Jacks’ offensive effort could not catch up through nine.

Always a crowd favorite, however, the Jacks astounded spectators with dandy defensive plays. To the amazement of players and spectators alike, Dan “The Man” Johnson caught a sky ball that bounded off the left field scoreboard. His brother Andy “Ziggy” Johnson also made onlookers catch their breath with his speed, agility, and ball handling.

The bean field behind right field that had vexed the team a week prior was tamed by an umpire’s ruling that balls hit into the field be considered single hits. The edict helped move the game along.

Joel “Hefty” Affeldt scored two aces (runs), while Paul “Swiss” Geronime scored an ace (run)and played right field, while his son Kevin “Mover” Geronime pitched a steady game and scored an ace of his own.