Six Veteran Reds Honored

In between the games against Miles City on Monday, July 9, the Glasgow Reds honored six players for Senior Night. Jes Hanks, Tommy Leland, Blayd Sanders, Walt Dalbey, Johnathan Koessl and Grant Legare stood at home plate, as their friends and families looked on, and received wooden bats with their names stamped on them in honor of their baseball careers with the Reds.

Leland, Dalbey and Koessl are graduating seniors but still have one year of eligibility left with the Reds. However, Hanks, Sanders and Rodgers have played their last home games in a Reds uniform.

All three have been vital parts of a good Reds team this year. But all three expressed how vital a part of their lives the Reds has been.

“Some of my best memories are from the Glasgow Reds,” said Sanders.

All three have played baseball their entire lives and while Hanks may be the only one going on to play college ball, all three still would like to be involved in baseball in some capacity.

Sanders is enrolled in Montanta State University – Bozeman and would like to play in a recreation league and at the very least would like to come back next year and cheer on the Reds. Rodgers is interested in coaching a team in the near future – maybe even the Reds.

“Baseball is a hell of a sport,” said Rodgers, explaining his interest in coaching.

Hanks meanwhile, is deciding between Bismarck State College and Montana Tech where he is hoping to play baseball collegiately.

Sanders has played all three outfield positions, third base and first base throughout his career and has began to pitch for the Reds this year. He owns a RECORD??

Rodgers has played mostly first and third base throughout his career and starts for the Reds on a regular basis at POSITION.

Hanks has played almost every position on the diamond throughout his career but is mostly playing catcher for the Reds this season. He is solidified in the number two spot in the lineup as one of the Reds’ best hitters.

All three will be missed next year. However, this season is not over and if the Reds are going to reach their potential, it will be up to these veterans to show the rest of the team the way to success. Like Rodgers said, “Baseball is a hell of a sport.”