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.
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