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Bowen vs. Grace
October 8, 2002
by Jeff (Compton)

Compton recalled minor league star Ryan Bowen to take the mound against Quebec in the final game of the regular season. The Scalpers countered with veteran first baseman Mark Grace, who made his first appearance ever on the mound.

"Should be an interesting match-up," Crips GM Jeff Nyveen said before the game. "Bowen is far and away the worst pitcher in history, and Grace is not even a pitcher at all." Both teams intended to leave their starters on the mound for the entire game.

As expected, the game was a slugfest, with 49 runs scored in the game. The Crips emerged victorious after a 9th inning rally. After a very tired Mark Grace gave up 8 walks, Bobby Doerr was the hero, hitting a bases loaded triple in the bottom of the 9th to win it. After the hit, Compton fans stormed the field to celebrate the victory.

Paul Molitor hit 3 home runs in the loss and Lance Berkman went hitless, the only player in the game to do so. "This is unbelievable," a frustrated Berkman said after the game. "Bowen sucks, but I suck more."

Bowen set a HOFL record by throwing 242 pitches in the game. After the 6th inning, Bowen had said that he felt a slight twinge in his shoulder, but he wanted to complete the game "for the fans." A post-game medical exam revealed 12 stress fractures in his upper arm, a frayed labrum, sprained wrist, and blisters on all five fingers of his pitching hand.

"I'll be back next year," said Bowen. "And I'll be even worse."
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