The San Quentin A’s baseball team ended its 2022 season with a loss in the All-Star game.
The outside All-Star team included players from the San Francisco Mission, the Barons, and the Rockies. The 11-7 loss Oct. 14 was the A’s first defeat of the season.
“This was our last chance to get some get- back at the A’s,” said outside Coach Mike Kremer. He brought his dad and wife to watch the game and join in on the good vibes he has been experiencing with the residents since he started coming in to San Quentin seven years ago.
“Our All-Star team is playing some good offense and some good defense,” he said.
It took a collective effort by the outside team to get its first win since the SQ A’s 2019 winning season.
At the start of the game, the A’s were winning, but appeared sluggish.
“We just came out flat,” said Anthony Denard, veteran first baseman of the A’s. “We take our losses the same way we take our wins. We win happy and we lose just as happy.”
Star pitcher Everett Wiley threw out his arm while on the mound, which proved to be a devastating loss to the team. Despite the injury, the game was an exciting one for both SQ residents and the outside coaches.
Residents crowded around the baseball diamond in the Lower Yard. Outside volunteers were excited to be able to come into the prison and spend time with the residents after spending so much time away during the pandemic. And they were looking forward to a potential victory.
“I’m just happy to finally have a lead,” outside manager Frank DeRosa of the Barons said after his All-Star team took the lead in the fifth inning.
“I have a great appreciation to come in here to play y’all. It’s a privilege. I appreciate the crowd. It’s a great field. If we can stay away from the errors and the walks, we would be OK,” said DeRosa. His team held the lead for the rest of the game and was victorious. After the game, both teams huddled around the mound and shared speeches and well wishes until the next season.
