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2003 Ryan Bowen Classic
September 20, 2003
by Jeff (Compton)

It's time, gentlemen...

Ryan Bowen has announced that he will return to the Crips for the final game of the season against Merced on Saturday afternoon. He will go the distance.

Bowen has pitched every game for the Crips minor league team, the Barton Creek Bloods, for the last 3 weeks. He is already tired but found some enthusiasm for Saturday's game.

"I'm going to go nine. It'll be ugly, but I'm gonna do it."

Team physicians and a Lifeline helicopter will be on hand in case Bowen's shoulder explodes. Bowen's 242-pitch complete game last year resulted in 12 stress fractures in his upper arm, a frayed labrum, sprained wrist, and blisters on all five fingers of his pitching hand.

Merced will counter with Paul O'Neill, a lefty who has vowed to go the distance and challenge Bowen.

"If I can't beat him," O'Neill says, "I will vomit."

The Vegas line has the total runs scored over/under at 54 1/2. Last year's contest ended with 49 runs crossing the plate in a Compton victory.
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