Jul 31, 2008

Legless veteran helps Joe DiMaggio team win

FROM DAILY NEWS DISPATCHES

When San Carlos finished second in this week's Joe DiMaggio World Series in Yountville, the local team had a little help. Inspiration came in the form of a legless ex-Marine in a wheelchair with a license plate that read "GRUNT" who made a point of being at all of the San Carlos games to cheer on the team. Pat (last name unknown; he goes by "Grunt"), who lives at the California Veterans Home where the tournament was played, used to live in Belmont and Palo Alto. He worked as a roofer on the Peninsula before a roofing accident led to the loss of his legs. He became interested in the local youth baseball teams when he worked on the roofs at local fields, including Hillsdale High School and several Little League facilities. The players liked him a lot as he parked himself as close to the dugout as possible to give each player some encouragement as they came to bat. Afterward, he gave San Carlos coach Tony Cooper $20 and asked him to "buy them a Pepsi" to reward the players for their efforts. Above, "Pat" talks to San Carlos players Garrett Treadwell, left, and Anthony Armanino.