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10/06/2005: Gem o'the Day:
From the Billy-Ball newsletter:
THE UMP MAKES THE SAVE
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Before yesterday's game, Hoffman was summoned to the door of the visiting clubhouse by Ed Montague, the home-plate umpire for Game 1 and crew chief of the NLDS.
"I knew that couldn't be good," said Hoffman. "I'm thinking, what did I do wrong before the game even started? Did he think I was loading up or something?"
Hoffman said Montague wanted to see Hoffman's driver's license, and before Hoffman could go to his locker to get his ID, Montague handed the closer his wallet. Apparently, it had fallen out of Hoffman's pocket on his earlier ride to the stadium.
"I got into my cab this morning and the first thing I saw was a wallet on the back seat," said Montague. "I opened it and saw a hundred dollar bill and some ones and a California license. I'm from (Northern) California, too, and then I saw the name Trevor Hoffman. It's a good picture of him. Strange, huh? I mean, what are the odds?"
Hoffman, sheepish about the whole incident, said he had no clue he'd lost his wallet when it was presented to him. But he was terribly appreciative and started to write a thank-you note, thinking he'd follow custom and reward Montague with enough money for a very, very nice dinner.
"Then I started thinking about it," said Hoffman. "I'm not so sure that would look so good, me sending over an envelope with money to the plate ump before Game 1 of the division series."
Len on 10.06.05 @ 10:40 AM CST
