Brook Fordyce's number came up big Wednesday.
Sporting one career hit in the major leagues, the Indianapolis Indians catcher made the most of his first Triple-A All-Star Game Wednesday at Franklin Quest Field. The 26-year-old Cincinnati Reds prospect entered the game in the eighth inning and knocked a first-pitch fastball over the left field wall - earning Most Valuable Player honors and lifting the National League to a 2-1 victory over the American League."I'm glad I got a pitch I could handle," said Fordyce. "It was a pitch that was in my zone."
The throw came courtesy of Vancouver relief ace Jeff Schmidt, who owned a 1.88 ERA and had not surrendered a home run this season.
"It was one of those things," said the right-hander. "Give him all the credit. He hit it."
The game-winning shot provided Fordyce with a prized memory - even greater than his double with the New York Mets last season.
"I was numb up there," he said. "I don't remember the big league hit, but I'll remember this."
Trailing 1-0 after Salt Lake's Todd Walker homered in the fourth inning, the National League didn't strike back until the eighth - when Fordyce's homer followed a double by Neifi Perez of Colorado Springs.
"I was looking for a first-pitch fastball and things just happened for me," said Fordyce. "I got a pretty good pitch."
Just what he ordered?
"Lucky, lucky," he mused. "I don't know."
Fordyce, who represented the American Association, was one of three MVPs selected in the contest (one from each Triple-A league). Walker earned the Pacific Coast League honor with his homer, while Syracuse pitcher Huck Flener of Syracuse topped the International League contingent by throwing two scoreless innings.