Parker's MVP Medal

Parker and Lowden's baseball coach gives out a MVP medal at each game. Last night, Parker was awarded this special honor. He was SO excited and we were all very proud.

Here is Greg's game recap (If only I could get him to do all of the writing for our family blog, we would all be riveted to our seats):

"The Phillies scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning, then gave up six straight runs to the Cubs to fall behind 6-1. But they hung in there and came up to bat in the bottom of the last inning down 6 runs to 3. Things looked grim when the first batter grounded out to the Cubs' second baseman, but the next few batters drew walks from the suddenly erratic pitcher and a couple of ground ball hits evened the score at 6 runs each. Another pair of walks loaded the bases as Parker made the long, scary walk from the on-deck circle to the plate. With the bases loaded and one out, a hit would win the game, a double play would end the inning and bring the Cubs' best hitters up again in the first extra inning. The pressure was on. Parker, looking shorter and scrawnier than usual in his batting stance, could barely see out from underneath his helmet. Parker's dad was mumbling half-coherent words of prayer and desperate encouragement.

The first pitch sailed toward home plate; Parker waved the bat in its general direction: strike one! The second pitch was high and outside: ball one! In came the third pitch, chin-high and inside: ball two except for the vain swipe Parker took at it. One ball, two strikes. Incredible, suffocating pressure...Parker probably felt it too.

The fourth pitch came in slow motion, each stitch on the ball's seams clearly visible as it tumbled toward the crouching 9 year-old. High again! Don't swing! But the end of the bat started moving forward, in slow motion of course! A sickening moment of helpless frustration: strike three, inning over. But wait, what was that 'cracking' sound?--and what was that small white object rolling toward third base? Someone (I'm not sure who) screamed "It's a hit! It's a hit!" and Parker took off running for first base.

Reaching top speed in about three steps, elbows and dust flying, Parker churned toward safety at first. The runner on third base sprinted in for the go-ahead run; the third baseman mishandled the throw from the pitcher and the next base runner scored as well. When the dust settled and the cheering subsided Parker was standing on first base, the huge grin on his face just visible beneath the giant overhanging brim of his batting helmet. Final score: Phillies 8, Cubs 6."

EDIT: After posting this and adding it to our baseball team's website, Parker saw what I had done and asked "Does this mean I'm famous now?"