July 20: Brendan James had never thrown a pitch in varsity high school or American Legion baseball action, and hadn’t thrown a ball in anger of any kind since his freshman year at Steinert. It was pretty much looking like his pitching career was a thing of the past.
But three weeks ago Post 31 manager Rick Freeman began giving the ball to James in relief, and he has known what to do with it.
Although Brendan was not needed into today’s 1-0 District 2 victory over Toms River; as Tommy Gater pitched a complete-game three-hitter, he will loom large in any tournament success Hamilton has. Since becoming the closer, James has not allowed a hit against 19 batters, having closed five games and saved four of them.
Check out this video above as James discusses his sudden channeling of his inner-Mariano Rivera with Rich Fisher.