Medina, NY- As one walks down the quaint streets of this small village located
halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY, you would expect the citizens to
hang their heads, to have a perpetual embarassed look on their faces, and to
hide their Mustangs sportswear in the closet. Yet the first thing a visitor
notices as they enter the town on Route 63 or Route 31 is that the streets are
awash with people wearing red and blue. Blue and red jackets, blue and red
striped pants, and blue and red hats proudly displaying the team's emblem, the
mighty mustang.
"Ashamed of our team? Why would we be ashamed?" said lifelong resident
and fan Ken Gibbons, "Mr. Reese took a pathetic team from Bellingham and
brought it here. I dont even know where Bellingham is!"
"People across the country dont seem to remember that Mr. Reese bought
the team halfway through the season, "said Village Trustee Don Kennedy, "After
a few key trades, the team was in first place for the first half of the
following season before some injuries occured."
Reese realized that his players were aging, and it was time to rebuild.
Gone were Jay Buhner and Geronimo Berroa. Also Albert Belle, Robin Ventura,
and John Olerud. Other players came in, and then went.
Now Baseball America rates Medina as the team of the future. Dennis
Abreu, Amariz Ramirez, Oort Cloud and Angel Kaat are among the top prospects
in the league.
"We love it here. I was glad they traded me to Medina, " said pitcher
Albie Lopez, " We have a future here, not like they do in, say, Anchorage."
Oh, yeah...that pitching staff. Scott Erickson, Pat Hentgen, Brett Tomko,
Mike Mussina, and Albie Lopez. Not to mention closers Rod Beck and Troy
Pervical. This isnt a team of the future?
Only Scott Erickson has shown some concern. "Hey, Im almost thirty. Its
nice here, but I dont know if the team will be ready by the time I retire!"
Rumor has it that the Mustangs have been shopping Erickson to a contender for
a younger pitcher.
There is no shame here. Vets Park sells out all 8000 seats every home
game. 7500 of those are season ticket holders, while the remaining 500 are
purchased by local business and donated to charity. Fun promotions as well as
an exciting future keep the fans coming. Special days like pink frilly day,
and tootsie roll day are fan favorites.
"We dont have brutual promotions like 'Whack a baby seal for a buck' Day
like they do in uncivilized Anchorage", said mayor Herbert Brant.
The future shines bright for the soon to be crown jewel of the PVBL.
