Guest Contributor: Charles Richelson


Got a message from my good pal and college classmate Charles Richelson yesterday. Charles, who's lived in New Mexico the last few years, was Albuquerque to catch the local Triple-A team the Isotopes play the Mets affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s. 
Looks like he picked an ideal day -- Mets pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard turned in a special performance. Not only did he throw eight innings of two-run, five-hit ball,
but he was also the batting star -- with a single, double and home run! Here he is crossing home plate. Thanks to Charles for capturing and sharing these highlights.
Weatherwise, it was a home run of a day at Isotopes Park -- yes, the stadium and its team are named in honor of that classic Simpsons episode, written by Ken Levine.
Hats off to the Isotopes management for not selling off naming rights to their home. Following the trend seen in many AA and AAA parks, the video board has been upgraded to major league standards.
With Syndergaard grabbing most of the attention, the 51s won this game 8 - 2 -- in a performance that caught the attention of New York's Daily News. Apparently, Syndergaard is no fluke as a hitter -- following the proud tradition of Don Newcombe and Don Drysdale, there's "noah" need for a DH when he pitches. So far in 2015, he's batting .455.


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