It is time to flip the sports-switch and get ready to hear the crack of the bats. The DeKalb County Tiger baseball season kicks off in just five days. The first game, set for Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m., will find White Co. hosting the Tigers. The Tigers are looking for a better outcome this year over last year’s pre-season opener against the Warriors, as the Tigers fell to White County with a score of 8-4.
The second game will see the Tigers hosting Gordonsville on Saturday, March 4 at 1 p.m. Again looking for a better outcome this year, DeKalb fell to Gordonsville last year during the pre-season and regular season games with final scores of 7-6 and 11-6.
The team’s annual chili supper, silent auction and reverse raffle is also just around the corner. It is a time for family, friends and fans to come together, have a great time and raise money for the team and is always a big hit.
This year’s event is scheduled for March 11 at 5 p.m. at the DeKalb County Community Complex and is sure to draw an even bigger crown than normal. This year former Major League Pitcher Aaron Small will be in the house as the guest speaker.
Small who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, played for a total of more than 20 teams during his professional career. He is best remembered for his successful stint as a starter for the Yankees in 2005 where he went 10-0 with a 3.20 earned run average and 37 strikeouts. He also played for the Edmonton Trappers in 1996 where he threw a no-hitter on August 8.
Small was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft. He debuted for the Blue Jays in 1994, but was traded to the Florida Marlins in 1995 for minor leaguer Ernie Delgado. Over the next ten years, Small would split most of his time between Triple-A and the majors, with major league appearances for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and a second stint with the Marlins, before joining the Yankees.
In addition, Small was also a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Colorado Rockies and Anaheim Angels organizations, though he never pitched in the major leagues for those teams.
He began 2005 in the Yankees minor league system, pitching for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Columbus. Due to injuries, he was called up to the Yankees to fill in, making his first start on July 20, which he won.
Small recorded 10 major league victories without a loss. Small recorded his first major league complete game shutout, which came against the Oakland Athletics on September 3, 2005. His pitch count during the game was just over 110 and he struck out the last batter he faced, Dan Johnson, and Small received the baseball from catcher Jorge Posada as a remembrance.
Small was the first Yankees pitcher to win his first 9 decisions since Tommy John in 1979, and became just the fourth pitcher in history to win at least 10 games without a loss, joining Tom Zachary, Dennis Lamp, and Howie Krist. He finished the 2005 season 10–0 with a 3.20 earned run average and 37 strikeouts. He was re-signed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract during the off-season.
During 2006 spring training, Small injured his right hamstring. He missed the start of the season, but returned to the team on April 30, 2006.
On June 17, 2006, Small was designated for assignment by the Yankees and was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.
On January 23, 2007, Small signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. However, on May 18, 2007, he announced his retirement.
In addition to the chili supper and silent auction, there will also be a reverse raffle. The family ticket will go into the reverse drawing for money prizes and gift prizes. Money prizes include two - $125 prizes, $250, $500 and $1,000. This is for immediate family only and your $25 ticket allows your entire family to eat and then entered into the reverse drawing. Individual chili tickets are $5. An individual can buy a family ticker or as many tickets he or she would like to buy.
Tickets are available from any DCHS Tiger baseball player and will also be available at the door on March 11 at 5 p.m.
