Working Overtime in Sandusky

by Ellis Eyeland

I had never even heard of Sandusky until I decided to check up on the progress of Toe Nash, the highly touted and even more highly paid prospect for the Las Vegas Mirage.  This town, located at the northern tip of Ohio on Lake Erie, is used to strange faces; many people come here to check out the amusement park Cedar Point.  These days, however, they're stopping by the ballpark too.

Greg 'Toe' Nash is in town, playing left field for the Sandusky Tigers, the AA affiliate of the Mirage.  There hasn't been an empty seat in the local ballpark since Nash made his debut with the Tigers.  Nash was once hailed the next Babe Ruth in MLB, before his conduct and legal problems earned him a ticket to has-been land.  However, commissioner Ritch King invited Nash to the BPLA, where he sparked a bidding war that landed the 22-year-old in Las Vegas.  But Nash didn't come cheap.  He inked a two-year deal worth $36,000,000.  Not the kind of money most people would want to invest in a guy with Nash's background, but Las Vegas is known for its gambling, and in the world of baseball there are no exceptions. 

Nash has been problem-free since coming to Sandusky.  After talking with the Tigers coaching staff, I was amazed to hear how disciplined Nash has been thus far.  They say he's the first one on the field and the last one to leave every day.  The Tigers' manager had nothing but praise for Nash.  'I don't know if Toe's looking to settle a score with Major League Baseball or what, but he's finding a lotta inspiration somewhere.  There ain't a hint of quit in that fella.  I reckon they'll be callin' him up to AAA soon.  And we'll miss 'im.  He's been a great role model for the younger guys.  We've never seen anyone so hungry to make it.'

Watching Toe play baseball is a refreshing experience.  At 6'6'', he looks like a grown man playing with a bunch of children.  He swings, runs and throws twice as hard as anyone else on the field.  He is clearly a man on a mission.  In his first 27 games with the Tigers, Toe has hit .361 with 5 HR and 18 RBI.  Even when he gets out Nash is worth watching.  In one of the three games I witnessed, Nash held his own in what must have been a twenty pitch at bat.  Toe kept fouling off pitch after pitch.  He must of hit 4 or 5 bombs just foul before finally striking out.  In another at bat, he lined out to the pitcher, nearly taking the poor guy's head off.  I did not get to see Nash pitch, but I hear he's got an amazing fastball.

Nash may pocket 36 million dollars before even playing in the BPLA.  But after watching him play, I believe he will make it.  Even f he can stay motivated and stay out of trouble, Las Vegas's gamble may not pay off.  Nash may decide LVM won't be a contender, and he may choose not to re-sign with the Mirage following the 2005 season.  If that happens, Mirage fans will be looking for explanations, and Mirage management will be kicking themselves.  Oh yeah, and another bidding war will begin.