Sports greats play in charity baseball game - 2009-06-17
By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
FRISCO — When the day started with Warren Sapp smack-talking Joey Fatone it was clear that baseball was simply the vehicle for some large people and larger personalities to gather.
Sapp, a former NFL defensive tackle, provided the pregame trash-talk for the Black Socks and made sure to point out, "Oooh, Joey Fat One is here," as soon as Fatone entered the conference area.
Sapp and Fatone were part of a group of celebrity personalities gathered at the Dr Pepper Ballpark to raise money for the Mike Modano Foundation and The Heroes Baseball Program.
Though an afterthought, Modano and the Matt Williams-managed Black Socks won 11-8.
The Derby
While technically called a Home Run Derby, there was just a little something missing — home runs.
But, because no one hit one out of the park, at least Sapp drove a pitch more than 300 feet in the final round to claim the derby title.
Only Cuban
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stepped on to the field without a number but rather a dollar sign on the back of his jersey.
Hit of the night
The best hit of the night had nothing to do with baseball.
Cowboys defensive lineman Jay Ratliff delivered a punishing tackle on the Rough Riders mascot to keep the furry beast from beating a young fan in a race around the bases.
The hockey guys
Host Mike Modano couldn’t escape the day without a few hockey questions.
Modano said new general manager Joe Nieuwendyk has wasted little time putting his stamp on the team, including the addition of new coach Marc Crawford.
"It’s hard to say how you recapture edge," Modano said. "Is it by coaching, GMs or is it by players with certain personalities or character? It depends but usually those things at the top trickle down to your players."
Stars captain Brenden Morrow said the success the Stars have enjoyed ensured last year’s failure was certain to bring about changes.
"Tip [fired coach Dave Tippett] was definitely a player’s coach and we all respected him for that," Morrow said.
"I think that’s up to the players to hold people more accountable when you have a coach that looks at you as professionals. Now having coach Crawford, that has probably got a little bit more of a dictatorship than Tip had; I think that’s Nieuwendyk’s impression that that’s the direction we need."
The Marty-B show
Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett kept things quiet during the pregame by simply saying "Hi" during the news conference.
However, he made his mark prior to the game by pedaling along the front of the stands on a large pink tricycle.
Bennett received plenty of attention during the derby for his strikeout as well.
