Star Tribune

April, 2008

Mounds View star senior getting antsy on sidelines

(Star Tribune - Wednesday, April 23, 2008)

Dan Reichert

Dan Reichert's current bout of mononucleosis is no joke, but his baseball coaches at Mounds View have kidded him about becoming a modern-day Wally Pipp.

After contributing to the Mustangs' first two victories this season, Reichert was stopped cold by mononucleosis, a virus that causes exhaustion and has made walking up the stairs an ordeal for him. As he waits for the condition to pass, his replacement, Brandon Hershey, has excelled. Hershey has hit .625 in two games to help keep the Mustangs (4-0 entering this week) undefeated.

"I've heard the coaches walking around asking, 'Reichert who?'" Reichert said. "Coach told me to go online and look up Wally Pipp."

Pipp was the New York Yankees' starting first baseman from 1915 to 1925. On June 2, 1925, he was replaced by Lou Gehrig. The youngster never gave the position back, going on to play 2,130 consecutive games, and record that stood until 1995. (Stories suggesting Pipp sat out the game with a headache are false.)

Once healthy, Reichert will be back in the lineup. The senior first baseman was an all-Suburban East Conference honorable mention last season and typically hits in the No. 3 or No. 4 spot.

"He's a baseball player, not just a good athlete who happens to play baseball," coach Mark Downey said.

Reichert, who will play baseball at the University of St. Thomas next season, spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about Mounds View's hot start and the frustration of not playing.

Q Did Mounds View's 4-0 start surprise you at all?

A Not really. We brought back our entire outfield, a couple infielders and eight to 10 pitchers who we knew could pitch well on the varsity level. And we had 31 guys, all juniors and seniors, who went to Florida over spring break and played baseball. Our chemistry is amazing. Probably because we had to stay four guys to a room.

Q Talk about dealing with mononucleosis. I mean, it would be bad enough for anyone. But you're a senior and the baseball season is so short.

A Yeah, it's pretty much making me crazy. I went to the Hastings game and watched from the car behind center field even though I wasn't supposed to be there. And I went to the Park game. It's tough to watch because I'm a strong competitor and want to help. I don't want to waste games sitting out.

Q Has watching games taught you anything about this team?

A We have a bunch of guys who are really playing well. Ross Laduke has had two 4-for-4 games. And guys like David Freed and Ian Goldsmith have played well. And Hershey had a three-run home run against Park. We all want to get Mounds View right up there in the conference.

Q As the No. 3 or No. 4 hitter, what's your approach to hitting?

A I'm a left-handed hitter and I try to hit to the opposite field. I like to hit line drives, singles and doubles. That's kind of the team's approach. Get singles, steal bases and score. But we're not totally a small-ball team. We've got a few guys that can crush the ball.

Reporter: DAVID LA VAQUE