South Shore Little League skipper Bob Laterza isn’t one to mince words. Naturally, the longtime manager of the Staten Island loop isn’t holding back.
When it comes to Sunday night’s MLB Little League Classic game between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
For starters, Laterza’s squad was the only New York team to win a game in Williamsport on Sunday.
The Yankees dropped a 3-2 decision in extras after the youngsters from South Shore claimed a 4-0 victory over Illinois earlier in the day.
But that wasn’t what piqued the ire of the outspoken skipper.
Who says his team of New Yorkers was promised a special meet-and-greet with the Bronx Bombers at the International Grove, where the Little Leaguers are staying.
While Yankees players DJ LeMahieu and Tim Hill showed up — not many others did.
Laterza noted that Yankees stars Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Jasson Dominguez, as well as manager Aaron Boone and former outfielder Nick Swisher, met with the team later on at Bowman Field, but there was still one notable omission, in particular.
Where’s Aaron Judge? The Yankees, of course, are in the thick of a pennant race and had a game to play that night, but that was of little consolation to the youngsters.
Laterza admitted his boys were bummed to miss out on the big man, who he alleges never showed face with his team, despite being seen with others. They had hoped that their seats behind home plate would allow them an interaction with him in the on-deck circle, but Laterza says No. 99 ignored the youths bellowing his name from some 10 to 20 feet away.
“How about turning around or wave to New York and the kids that think you’re a hero?” chimed Laterza. “They are the ones who pay your salary.”
“They were disappointed,” he added. “Maybe he’ll want to make up for it and come and see them.”
The veteran skipper acknowledged that the Yankees who did take the time to sign autographs and take pictures were “very kind and considerate.” Superstar ace Gerrit Cole, especially, took time to talk with players, handing out high-fives, advice, and general conversation prior to Sunday night’s game.
Once the meet-and-greets were over and done with, Little Leaguers took their seats at Pennsylvania’s Bowman Field, an intimate ballpark that seats just 2,366 patrons at sellout capacity — which Sunday’s contest appeared to be.
Perhaps, the most ironic tidbit from the night came when Yankees legend David Cone approached Laterza, who did not recognize the retired pitcher and had to ask who he was.
“He says ‘hey coach Bob, how you doing’? I didn’t know who he was, he knew who I was,” laughed Laterza. “He’s a nice man. Out of place, out of mind, I was like who are you?”
“It was nice. The stadium was good, it was electric,” he continued. “The game was OK.”
The boys from South Shore won’t suit up for a game until Tuesday. They will draw the loser of Monday’s game between Florida and Texas, which Laterza said he hopes goes 12 innings.
“We’re playing good ball. We’re gonna win another game or two and shake ‘em up a little bit,” he said. “After we win this thing, they ain’t taking pictures with us either. Only Aaron Boone and the guys who showed up!”
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
