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ATLANTA- All of the sports world had their eyes turned to Turner Field as Satchel Paige's All Star festivities came to a close in Pittsburgh. That's because the 37 year old slugger, Mr. Samuel Stokes was just one home run away from tying the legendary Pedro Pascual in career home runs. While nobody will ever argue that Pascual isn't the best hitter in the history of the game, Stokes achievement to pass him would be undeniably monumental. It would be a testament to Stokes' durability, work ethic and consistency. Surprisingly, despite the many, many home runs that he has hit in his career, Stokes has flown largely under the radar for much of his career, only making 2 All Star games. Stoke's career has been a model of consistency too. He is currently still on a streak of 17 consecutive season with at least 500 plate appearances. He had 11 straight seasons of 100+ RBI and 15 straight seasons of 30+ home runs. Earlier this season, Stokes passed HoFer Frank Mays for 4th on the career hits list, and may pass future HoFer Clay Beirne for 3rd on that same list before he decides to hang it up. He is second on the career at-bats list, second on the most career strikeouts list, and second on the career RBI list, once again behind Pedro Pascual. At age 37, Stokes is still going strong and having a great season. He is hitting .302 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI. Its possible that he will eclipse Pascual for another hallowed record, career RBIs. He is currently 151 behind PP, and 184 away from becoming the 1st player in SP history to get 2,000 career RBIs. Time will tell if he will get to those. Stokes has only played for two franchises in his career. This is his 7th season in Atlanta, and his 8th with this franchise. With a team that has struggled to get into the playoffs, it has been the veteran Stokes that has been the reason for fans to come out in recent seasons. He played the previous 10 seasons with the current Los Angeles franchise, and when he is nominated for the HoF, he will likely do it with the blue-and-white 'LA' on his cap.
With the history and pageantry of the moment laid out, it was the second game back from the All Star break that Stokes hit the first historic home run. With flash bulbs going off all around the ball park, Stokes stepped into the batter's box to lead off the third inning of their game with the Memphis Belles. On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, a 2-1 fastball from Memphis' Sam Powell, Stokes launched a line drive solo home run into the seats in left center field. The ball ricocheted off the seats and some fans, and much to the chagrin of game's attendees, back into the field of play. Belles CF Terry Blair retrieved the ball and trotted all the way to Atlanta's dug out to personally hand the ball to Stokes. It was career home run number 665, and he was now tied with Pasucal. Needless to say, the game had to wait for the long, loud standing ovation and Stokes to make 2 curtain calls to quite the crowd. The Soda Popper won the game 5-2.
Two games later, Atlanta was once again taking on Memphis at home. They were trying to win the series three games to one. More importatnly for the home crowd though, was that the Poppers would be heading on the road to Mississippi after this game, and they fervently wanted their home town hero to have his moment at home in front of the fans who adored him so much. Once again it was in the 3rd inning that Stokes came to the plate. The bases were empty, and there were two outs. Facing Stokes was Memphis' crafty veteran sinkerballer Bob Wolf, who has been tough to hit home runs off of throughout his career . As expected, the roar of the crowd was deafening and countess flashes could be seen all over the stadium. Understandably, Stokes was a bit amped up, and the savvy Wolf threw a first pitch changeup at the knees. Stokes was a way ahead of the pitch as he took a mighty swing at the first offering, and missed by a mile. The crowd let out a collective groan. Stokes stepped out of the box, and took a deep breath. The second pitch was a slider that broke low and away for ball one. Wolf was determined not to be the pitcher to go down in the record book as the trivia answer to "What pitcher gave up Stokes' record breaking home run?" But he also didn't want to be the guy to get booed by the crowd and ridiculed by the media for pitching around Stokes to avoid getting tagged. The crowd booed anyway as his third pitch, also a slider, broke outside. Now 2-1. Stokes stepped out of the box once again. He took of his helmet with his left hand and wiped his brow with his arm. You could see the gray starting to come into the veteran slugger's hair before he replaced his helmet back on his head and resumed his stance in the box. Wolf shook off the sign from Pascual Molina, before nodding his head to his backstop's second suggestion. The 2-1 was a Bob Wolf special. His signature, hard sinker dropped right on the inside corner, maybe a bit low. Called strike two. The crowd booed once again, anxious for their hero to take their place in history. Stokes simply shook his head as Molina returned the ball to his pitcher and then tapped his bat twice on the plate before resuming his stance. Wolf came set for the next pitch, and came back with another changeup. It was over the plate, but broke low just below the knees. Stokes took another healthy hack. He was once again way ahead of the pitch, but this time made contact. The ball was launched deep into the the seats, but foul by a large margin. There was a bit of a scrum to get the ball, and security had to break up some unruly fans. Most of those in attendance didn't notice. Still 2-2. Wolf took his time, and came back with the first fastball of the at bat. It came in at 92 MPH, just on the outside corner. Stokes takes. Great pitch by Wolf, the pitch could be called either way. Molina holds his glove in place, framing the pitch, as the stadium goes just a bit quieter as fans hold their collective breaths. No gesture from the home plate umpire, he just looks to the side. Ball three. Now full count. Wolf clearly doesn't like the call and stares down the ump as he receives the ball back from Molina. Stokes steps out once more, and stretches his neck from side-to-side. He steps back in. Wolf comes set. He makes the 3-2 pitch. Another fastball. Molina is set up for the pitch to be up-and-in, to tie up Stokes. Wolf misses. The ball is inside, but belt high. Stokes turns on it. He is ahead of the pitch once again, as he has been for the whole at bat. He makes solid contact though, and this time there is no doubt. It is a deep, 2-out solo home run to left field. Wolf doesn't even watch the flight of the ball. He knew. Camera flashes go off throughout Turner field, and Stokes jogs around the bases with his right arm held high, and his fist clenched in triumph. Eventually, the lucky fan who comes up with the ball turns out to be an off duty police officer. He and Stokes are talking about a trade for the ball, though many think the ball could go at auction for $50,000 or more, so it remains to be seen if Stokes will get the ball back. As Stokes crosses home plate, he gets a huge hug from long-time league veteran, and team mate James Boucher who was waiting on deck. The crowd is cheering wildly as he enters the dugout to get congratulations from his team mates. The crowd get even louder when Stokes takes his curtain call. The Jumbo-Tron displays "New Home Run King" as the crown chants "M-V-P!" On the television broadcast, they cut to a shot of Stokes' home town of St Johnsbury, Vermont, population of about 7,000. In the local sports bar, his friends and neighbors cheer wildly for Vermont's favorite son and the new holder of the most hallowed record in baseball. It was career home run number six hundred and sixty six. The Soda Poppers won the game 3-0.
