It’s been a crazy August for Ben Casparius.
But now he’s notched his first major league win.
The 2017 Staples High School graduate — and Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, who helped the Wreckers win the state championship — was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers exactly 2 weeks ago, then sent back to AAA Oklahoma City 3 days later without an appearance.
But he was summoned back yesterday.
He did not have far to go. Coming on in relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Phoenix’s Chase Field — with the score tied in the 8th inning — Casparius did not let up a run.
Ben Casparius, on the mound last night.
His team scored twice in the top of the 9th. Evan Phillips came on to pitch the bottom of the inning. He got the save — and Casparius was credited with the win.
Not a bad major league debut — in front of a crowd of 50,041.
(One other highlight: a 1st-inning inside-the-park home run for D-back’s Corbin Carroll.) (Hat tips: Jeff Mitchell, Brian Sikorski, David M. Goldstein)
Westport Police assisted Connecticut State Police last week, in subduing and arresting a man who fled a traffic stop on I-95.
The event began when a driver left a tractor-trailer on an electric scooter near Exit 17. He crossed the highway, and headed south on the right shoulder.
After he was stopped, he reacted aggressively, and refused to sit down. He drove away, but was intercepted by troopers on the Exit 17 off-ramp. He fought attempts to be placed in handcuffs.
Westport Police and a State Police K9 dog helped the troopers gain control of the suspect, who continued his behavior, including spitting at officers. At least 2 state troopers sustained minor injuries.
The man was charged with fugitive from justice without a warrant, 6 counts of assault on a public safety officer, 2 counts of cruelty to animals, interfering with an officer, reckless use of a highway by a pedestrian, improper parking and operating an unregistered motor vehicle, according to police.
He was held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center, in lieu of $350,000 bail.
(For those who haven’t: Connecticut’s first state park sits smack in the middle of our shoreline. It’s 238 acres of beaches, wetlands, woods, walking paths, a Nature Center — even a model airplane runway.)
Many Westporters also help keep the park shipshape, as volunteers with Friends of Sherwood Island.
They raise money in part through a great annual fundraiser. This year’s Shorefest is Friday, September 6 (6 to 9 p.m., Sherwood Island pavilion). It features dinner and a silent auction.
Dinner options include lobster, tenderloin, salmon or vegetarian, plus steamers, corn, salad and dessert. A children’s menu includes hot dog or hamburger, corn, salad and dessert.
Click here for tickets, or send a check to Friends of Sherwood Island State Park, PO Box 544, Westport, CT 06881.
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Jean Wanat — a lifelong Westport, and the former owner of Westport Electric — died Wednesday. She was 78.
She was a lifetime member of Assumption Church, and participated in many festivals. Her family recalls her “sense of humor and zest for life.”
She was predeceased by her husband John, brothers Phil Palmer, Carlo Palmer and his wife Ann Marie, Peter Palmer Jr., sister-in-law Arlene Wanat, and brothers-in-law William Wanat and George Wanat.
Jean is survived by her son John Wanat Jr (Sharon), daughter Jeanmarie (partner Ed Mackowski)l grandchildren Scott, Jamie and Aryn; daughter Jeanmarie Wanat, her partner Ed Mackowski and his children Shelby and Eric; brother Tony Palmer (Susan), sisters-in law Rosaland Palmer and Judy Wanat, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral is set for Assumption Church on Tuesday (September 3, 10 a.m.), followed by committal services in Willowbrook Cemeter.
Contributions may be made to Assumption Church or Connecticut Humane Society.
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Trish Leavitt explains today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
“We put in our first bee and butterfly garden this summer. We have seen so many different bugs, bees and hummingbirds. Recently. some monarch butterflies found us.
“Yesterday I saw this praying mantis in the garden happily munching a bug. I hope he finds some lanternflies.
“He hung out all day yesterday, then moved on.”
(Photo/Trish Leavitt)
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And finally … today is September 1. It’s the day we were supposed to be seen again.
(Welcome back! As always, “06880” is here for you, with news, information, inspiration, a song or two, and more. If you like our style, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
There’s a good chance he’ll be in a World Series!
More on Ben: I looked at the box score and, of his 12 pitches, 10 were strikes.
Also, before last night’s game the Diamondbacks were 5 games back of the Dodgers for the division title and they were sitting on top of the wild card standings—but only by a narrow margin.
The bottom line: they are a quality team fighting for postseason qualification. So one might say this makes Ben’s debut even more impressive.
Finally, Jack: if the Dodgers make it to the World Series and Ben makes an appearance, would that be the most impressive accomplishment by a Staples alum in one of the major North American pro sports?
Fred, I can’t think of anyone else. However, I like the odds of L.A. going to the World Series!
I think winning a game in the majors is already the most impressive professional sports feat of any Staples grad. What else comes close?
Back in Kindergarten LL, Ben was working on his double-play footwork while most of the other kids were trying to figure out what hand the glove went on.
Congrats again to Ben and the Casparius family. Looking forward to watching his continued success, until he faces the Yankees in the WS!
John, as you can see, I think what Ben has done to date is so impressive. But, going back to my era, Paul Hunter (Staples ‘73) was a rookie in the North American Soccer League in 1977 with the New York Cosmos in Pele’s final season. In addition to Pele, his teammates included Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, and Giorgio Chinaglia.
While the NASL was admittedly not the soccer equivalent of Major League Baseball, the Cosmos featured several of the sport’s all-time legendary players.
And, while Paul mostly sat on the bench that season, he was called upon to start in the semifinals of the playoffs—a home-and-home 2- game series in which the Cosmos’ coach called Paul’s performance “brilliant.”
The Cosmos won that series and then won the championship. Thus Paul was indeed a contributor to Pele’s final title. And that to me is quite a significant accomplishment.
Incidentally, because of his lack of playing time in ‘77, Paul was deemed eligible for the Rookie of the Year award the following season and was voted co-winner of that by the PSRA.
Fred, playing with Pele and Beckenbauer, names even
I recognize, as well as ROY is indeed impressive.
I knew the Wanat family since the 1950s. They lived on Old Orchard Road. My condolences to the family. John, George and Bill actually worked for us in the early to mid 1960s and John attended my aunt’s funeral Mass when she passed away at age 100 in 2018.
That mantis is a she.
Go Ben. fantastic. congratulations. lots of success Ben
Congrats to Ben! But boo to the Dodgers! I was at the game in Phoenix and rooting for the Diamondbacks (my second favorite team behind the Yankees). I believe he threw seven strikes in a row to start his relief appearance. Kudos to the young man!
What a dream come true for Ben! Congratulations!
I congratulate Ben Casparius on his exciting Major League debut.
However, for me, and probably many others, the Los Angeles Dodgers do not exist. The only Dodgers worth discussing are the BROOKLYN Dodgers, who broke our hearts when they deserted us for LA.
Since this happened in 1957, our ranks have been diminishing, but our memories are still bitter.
Brooklyn exploded with joy in 1955 when Brooklyn won the World Series#Podres
Dan, Thank you for the Shorefest reminder. There are a few tickets left. The caterer is Westfair Fish and Chips and the very talented John Lamb will be our entertainment. Tickets must be purchased in advance.