Mud Hens finale is Super Hooper
The Mud Hens' utility man played all nine positions for the West Division champs and capped off his dizzying Labor Day by pitching a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-3 win over the Indians at Fifth Third Field.
"It was my idea," the 28-year-old Minor League veteran said. "I threw it out there just kind of jokingly a couple weeks ago. I asked L.P. (Toledo manager Larry Parrish) if I could play all nine if the playoff spots had all been clinched, then all the other guys started pushing for me to do it. It had to be the perfect situation and after Indinapolis won last night, it worked out."
It also worked out perfectly for Hooper to take the mound in a save situation, as Brandon Harper hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to give the Mud Hens a 4-3 lead.
"We take that lead in the eighth and I'm standing on second base (after a walk) thinking, 'I can get a save here,'" mused Hooper, who pitched a scoreless inning for Columbus last year in his only other pitching performance.
"No one was warming up and no one really said anything, so I just grabbed my glove and ran out there. They got a pitcher up in the bullpen, but fortunately they didn't need him."
They didn't need him because Hooper tossed a perfect ninth, including a strikeout of Jorge Velandia.
Not only did Hooper line up in all nine spots on the field, but he did it in order, starting at catcher and working his way around the infield before going from left to right in the outfield and then finishing his day on the hill.
The former Wichita State Shocker, who recalled catching just one inning while in Little League, said he was glad to get the catching part out of the way early Monday.
"I tell you what, I already had mad respect for catchers, but after just one inning back there, my legs were shaking. I have even more respect for them now. I told our catchers, 'I'm gonna leave the catching to you.'"
Indianapolis' Eddie Olszta, who is a catcher by trade, also made a run at playing all nine positions in the game, failing only to play his natural position. His pitching outing didn't go so well, as he took the loss by yielding two runs in his one inning of work. He also went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
The Indians had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth, when Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer off Toledo starter Jason Grilli.
Grilli struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk. Wil Ledezma (5-3) got the win after pitching a scoreless eighth.
Hooper took home the save, the lineup card and the game, and said he hopes the Mud Hens can take something else from the victory.
"We've just got a fun group of guys and we've had fun all year. Hopefully that'll carry over into the playoffs."