DEAR EDITOR:
When I read today’s paper praising the record-breaking season of
Ben Hemeon I couldn’t help but smile.
DEAR EDITOR:
When I read today’s paper praising the record-breaking season of Ben Hemeon I couldn’t help but smile. This particular story, for me, began in the fall of 1969 when I coached a gritty, hard-working kid during “fall ball” at San Jose City College named Jim Hemeon, Ben’s father. After some personal journeys, I came to Gilroy High in 1986 to coach baseball. There were no records kept at that time so I did some research and came up with “school records,” knowing full well that there might be a Babe Ruth or Nolan Ryan from the past that I was not aware of.
From 1987 through 1989 I had the pleasure of coaching another gritty, hard-working kid named Clint Wheeler. Clint was my assistant two different times and has now taken over the program that still resides in a special corner of my heart.
From 1989 through 1991 I coached yet another gritty, hard-working kid named Dennis Castro, whose daughter I just invited into my office to see her dad’s “old” baseball pictures that are displayed on my wall.
I never had the pleasure of coaching Ben Hemeon, but I HAVE had the pleasure of coaching many, many kids who were gritty and hard working.
My former players will remember one of my favorite phrases; “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
Ben prepared very well and, when those pitchers threw the ball over the plate, he took full advantage of the opportunity.
Thank you Ben for giving me the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful time I had coaching at Gilroy High. I wasn’t able to coach you, but did coach those whose records you have broken.
Best of luck in CCS Playoffs, you could not be in better hands than those of Clint Wheeler.
Jim Gama,
Head GHS Baseball Coach 1986-1997
Assistant Principal, Brownell Academy
Submitted Tuesday, May 11 to ed****@****ic.com
