Each journey was unique. Each story was special, until 30 or so similar-sounding tales converged at historic Municipal Stadium in northern Maryland, for the Washington Nationals’ 2009 pre-draft workout.
Marcus Stroman shagged flies in the outfield Willie Mays roamed while being racially taunted in his first professional game. He took grounders on the diamond once shared by the Homestead Grays.
He made the most of his limited swings.
“The second pitch, he hit it out, halfway up the lights,” said Anthony Frascogna, Stroman’s coach at Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island. “It was unbelievable. There’s college kids there, and this kid right out of high school, taking cuts like a big leaguer, hitting a couple out.