Wright gets chance of a lifetime

By Brian Hunsicker

Published: March 20, 2008

Justin Wright wasn’t sure if he would play on Tuesday. But the Virginia Tech pitcher and Forest Park grad became the Hokies’ final pitcher in their exhibition against the New York Yankees.

As the Hokies’ season goes on, it’s hard to imagine Wright facing a more difficult situation.

“The coaches said to throw strikes, and I came in with the bases loaded and one out,” Wright said with a sigh on Wednesday.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi were all out of the game by then, so the challenge lessened. Instead of facing All-Stars, he was merely facing potential major leaguers.

Wright nearly got out of the jam. Facing the Yankees’ non-roster invitees, he got Bernie Castro to fly out for the second out. But after that, the Yankees had their way with Wright: Alberto Gonzalez doubled to left to clear the bases and the next batter, Jason Lane, doubled as well, scoring the final run in the Yankees’ 11-0 win. Former Astros prospect Morgan Ensberg singled before Wright got the final out on a Gregory Porter fielder’s choice.

“They don’t miss a spot,” Wright said. “If you miss a spot, they’re going to hit it a long way.”

His aim, he said, was to locate his fastball and concentrate on that pitch.

The Yankees came to Blacksburg to honor a commitment made in the aftermath of April’s shootings that killed 32 people. Owner George Steinbrenner donated a $1 million to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and had the team set up an exhibition.

Members of the Yankees stopped at the site of the memorial before heading to English Field. From there, the teams and spectators observed a moment of silence for the victims as 32 balloons were released.

But during warm-ups and batting practice, Wright said the Tech coaches encouraged the Hokie players to get onto the field and talk to the Yankees players. Rodriguez also came over to hang out in the Hokie dugout, and Wright listened as he and his teammates peppered Rodriguez with questions: Where’s his favorite place to play? Who’s the toughest pitcher he faces?

Wright said the Yankees’ traveling party didn’t include most of their frontline pitchers like Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, so he wasn’t able to get any pitching tips. But he did manage to get a baseball signed by Jeter, Rodriguez, Giambi, Robinson Cano, Bobby Abreu and Jorge Posada.

And the sheer experience of playing in such a game is also something to be treasured.

“It was incredible,” Wright said. “It was awesome to have those players come down.”