Baseball memories: It all started with an 11-year-old named ‘Boogie’

Leading up to Mariners opening day, we are asking 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio hosts about their favorite baseball memory. Leave your own unforgettable moment in the comments.

It all started with an 11-year-old named Boogie.

Boogie was a mini Randy Johnson pitching for the Chicago Phillies. Boogie threw hard, from an angle. Standing at the plate against Boogie was a terrifying experience.

“I never knew his government name, but everybody called him Boogie,” says 710 ESPN Seattle’s Gee Scott. “Where I’m from, everybody’s got nicknames. Boogie was the best pitcher in the league and he threw side-arm. Everyone was intimidated by Boogie.”

It’s 1987 and Gee’s Ojays are down 3-0 in the bottom of the last inning. Boogie is staring down from the mound. Boogie has been dominant, but, for some reason has gone wild.

“He hits one of our guys, walks another, and walks another. Now I’m up to bat,” Gee said. “At this time at Palmer Park, where we played, there was no fence. We were just in a park. First pitch, I hit the ball down the first base line really, really far. I ended up getting a grand slam on that. Game winner; game’s over.”

Gee’s career in sports didn’t end there as he played high school baseball – once hitting three homers in a game – and college basketball. But his blast against Boogie still stands out.

“That grand slam against Boogie was my greatest moment,” he said.

Related: Baseball memories: ‘That’s why they’re still a special team to me’