From left Greg Roraff, Eddie Stewart, Butch Holt, Wayne Gibson
The past jumped to the present this month when four guys from the semipro baseball team, Kitsap Outsiders, gathered in Minneapolis and Wisconsin. Seen in this photo taken at the Sept. 12 New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins game held at the Target Field are from left, Greg Roraff, Eddie Stewart, Butch Holt and Wayne Gibson.
Roraff was a pitcher for the Outsiders, Stewart played the outfield, usually left field, Holt was the team’s catcher and Gibson managed the team.
“I picked them up at the airport and we went to the Twins-Yankees game that night,” said Roraff.
Gibson came from the Key Peninsula, Stewart from West Seattle and Holt from Sequim to help Roraff celebrate a birthday.
The foursome saw an excellent game. Twins’ pitcher Jake Ordorizzi took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. The no-hit bid was stopped when Greg Bird laced a run-scoring double with one out in the eighth inning. The Twins would win 3-1.
“Gibby coached hoops at Wisconsin-Green Bay (Dick Bennett was head coach) and we spent many memorable times together over the years,” said Roraff. “And Ed had been here a few times, and I’ve stayed in pretty close touch with him over the years. Butch has just limited his travel to visit every Major League park in the country (He has been to them all except Nationals Park).
“We had a great time, to say the least. The Outsiders T-shirt was fun, and we saw an eight-inning no-hitter from the Twins’ guy. We golfed twice, spent a night in La Crosse (Wisconsin, where Roraff grew up) and then came to Medford for the weekend.
“My kids duped me and had a surprise birthday party for me with friends from all over visiting.”
The Kitsap Outsiders existed from 197-74 and played home games at Roosevelt Field in Bremerton. The team made two Stan Musical World Series Tournaments that were held in Battle Creek, Michigan.