Over 80 Hurricanes baseball alumni returned to Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on Saturday night for the annual FanFest and Alumni Game.
An alumni team that featured Colorado Rockies prospect Willie Abreu, Tampa Bay Rays farmhand Carl Chester and fan favorites like Kevin Brown and Kris Clute fell short to the 2019 Canes, 4-2. Gino DiMare, who starred as an outfielder for the Canes from 1989-92, was happy to see so many players come out for his first Alumni Game as head coach.
"It's awesome seeing the guys last night at the banquet and all of the guys that came out today," DiMare said. "That's what this Alumni Game is for. It was nice for me to see a lot of guys I played with, a lot of guys I coached and so many that played before my time. Always hearing [PA announcer Jay Rokeach] announcing them before the game is special. We had a bunch of big league guys come back. All of that creates a nice atmosphere for us and the fans."
The Canes wasted little time getting their offense going against alumni starter Danny Garcia, as Freddy Zamora doubled home Tony Jenkins to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the first.
Two innings later, Willy Escala stole second and third before Anthony Vilar's sacrifice fly to left off left-hander Steven Ewing pushed Escala home and doubled the Canes' lead.
"We did some good things, some situational hitting where we knocked some guys in with less than two outs at third base," DiMare said. "We did a good job getting good pitches to drive the ball to the outfield."
Miami starter Greg Veliz was strong over four shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. Veliz retired the final four batters he faced, while JP Gates and Daniel Federman each retired the side in order in their scoreless innings to run a streak of 10 consecutive alumni hitters retired.
Games I MAY attend this season:
Baseball:
3/27 @ FAU
4/9 FGCU @ UM
4/10 UM @ FGCU
Football:
8/31 UM vs UF @ Orlando
9/21 Central Michigan @ Miami
10/5 VT @ Miami
10/26 UM @ Pitt
11/30 UM @ Duke
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2019 at 07:48 PM
Rome Brinson Miami Northwestern WR 21
commits
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2019 at 05:42 PM
This is a WR that I really wanted. He was great in that state championship run that Northwestern had last season. I saw him toast Central and Carol City DBs, and they couldn’t cover him. Brinson is a legitimate 6’2”, fast, has balance, plays on the big stage, and he has room to grow. IMHO, Brinson is the best WR talent to come out of Miami Northwestern since Amari Cooper. The Canes coaches got him committed, and now I hope we can keep him.
Posted by: BigWindyCane | February 10, 2019 at 07:48 PM
Soup I will see U at all those Football Games minus the Pitt Game. I hope to catch up with U for a Baseball game.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 10, 2019 at 07:55 PM
I plan on being at least a baseball game and/ or series. My Football itienary are 8/31 Miami vs Florida Throwdown in O-TOWN, 9/7 Miami @ UNC, 9/14 BCU vs Miami, 9/21 CMU vs Miami, 10/4 VT vs Miami, 10/10 UVA vs Miami, 10/18 GT vs Miami, 11/9 UL vs Miami, 11/30 Miami @ Duke.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 10, 2019 at 08:00 PM
The Canes coaches got him committed, and now I hope we can keep him.
Posted by: BigWindyCane | February 10, 2019 at 07:48 PM
Base on our track record that doesn't look promising. Although, winning cures everything!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 10, 2019 at 08:10 PM
If you could PROMISE this I would buy season tickets for that reason alone. But you can't, so I won't.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2019 at 07:12 PM
Soup I'm smelling what you're cookin
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2019 at 08:23 PM
Canes have #3 class if you count transfers. Really fantastic job by Manny though it's a little decieving because three of them will be one and dones.
https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/02/top-ten-2019-recruiting-class-rankings-if-you-include-transfers/4
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 11, 2019 at 12:01 AM
The Canes coaches got him committed, and now I hope we can keep him.
Posted by: BigWindyCane | February 10, 2019 at 07:48 PM
Base on our track record that doesn't look promising.
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 10, 2019 at 08:10 PM
I hope he doesn't say that Miami is his "dream school".
Posted by: nemo2002 | February 11, 2019 at 08:08 AM
Terrance...what is the name of the bus service that you use?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 09:33 AM
86Cane
Terrance...what is the name of the bus service that you use?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 09:33 AM
It's not the 12% bus that's for sure
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2019 at 09:47 AM
Big Tee & 86, we need to hook up, if u guys are coming to my neck of the woods. I'll be at The UNC and Duke games.
Posted by: Herbieibis | February 11, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Miami 2021 recruiting class currently ranks No. 1 in the according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. The group is headlined by Booker T. Washington four-star defensive end Donell Harris, American Heritage Plantation four-star safety James Williams, Miami Central four-star offensive lineman Laurence Seymore. It also includes Hollywood Chamiande-Madonna Prep running back Thad Franklin and Miami Southwest defensive tackle Savion Collins in addition to Metyar, Johnson, Brantley and Brinson.
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Herb I will see U for UNC and Duke Brotha. and The 3 of us will link up for the Duke Game!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 11, 2019 at 10:41 AM
86 I use Megabus!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 11, 2019 at 10:41 AM
LOL Solar Hahaha
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 11, 2019 at 10:42 AM
Wooooooooooweeeeee! Talking about getting the fan base pumped. Although, we been down this road before!
https://twitter.com/83_87_89_91_01/status/1094786819311362048?s=19
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:10 AM
👆👆👆 This might even get Soups juices flowing?
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:14 AM
Soup, is this how your Canespace reunion's look like?
https://twitter.com/Claudia_Jones/status/1093509939971133441?s=19
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:21 AM
👆👆 I couldn't stop laughing when I saw that.
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:21 AM
I wonder how long it took for the guy to realize it was his pants! 😂😂
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:25 AM
Awesome gift and honor for the best coach at the U;
https://twitter.com/miamihurricanes/status/1094973008387731457?s=12
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 11, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Thirsty that made me laugh out loud.
Very funny stuff.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 11, 2019 at 11:58 AM
UM women’s basketball team gets seven-figure donation — largest in program history
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article226077760.html
Posted by: nemo2002 | February 11, 2019 at 12:24 PM
thirsty,
man that was crazy
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2019 at 04:05 PM
Herb I will see U for UNC and Duke Brotha. and The 3 of us will link up for the Duke Game!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 11, 2019 at 10:41 AM
There IT is right there.
Mrs. 86 will be with!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 07:14 PM
This might even get Soups juices flowing?
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 11, 2019 at 11:14 AM
NOPE.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 07:15 PM
We need a strong spring...on field and off. The kids got to buy into MD and staff program....and get after it.
Attitude diet weight room fundamentals competition...all got to be there. I think it will be different than the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse
of UM football...need that fresh start....but it will really be told on the field in th fall.
Get them going MD!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | February 11, 2019 at 09:15 PM
Frierson going to striker position.
He, Blades and Ivey will be something to watch the next couple of years.
https://twitter.com/_gbe2/status/1095140545930952705?s=12
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 11, 2019 at 09:18 PM
We need to make a statement right out of the gate by busting up the Crocs. This should set the tone for the 19 season. Can't come out and lay another egg.
Posted by: Herbieibis | February 11, 2019 at 09:55 PM
I like that ...striker.....you guys know what I call it...The Tatumizer....where you wipe people out....they should be formidable for some fine tackling and hitting....
Posted by: VA Cane | February 11, 2019 at 10:15 PM
Can't come out and lay another egg.
Posted by: Herbieibis | February 11, 2019 at 09:55 PM
Ummm Hmmm.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 10:17 PM
we have laid a lot of eggs since 2003.....and they ain't been golden....more like rotten ...the worst I think ever was the last game at the OB 11 10 2007 48-0 loss to UVA.....that was so bad....only thing worse was 58-0 on 10 24 2015 to clemson...but we got5 rid of AlPa....
We need to work really hard!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | February 11, 2019 at 10:27 PM
Boom. 86, Mrs. 86, and the Herb. We will link up with our CanesFam United Tailgate Crew. For the Pre Game Meet and Greet at a Sports Bar on Friday Night.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 11, 2019 at 10:28 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 11, 2019 at 11:02 PM