Hailed by many as the most dramatic moment in the storied history of Richmond Senior High baseball, the final out heroics of a state championship game would not have occurred but for the discipline and courage of the Raider's ninth-slot batter — senior Mike McDuffie — on a June evening in 1976.
As he had done for his previous four high school and American Legion champions, Coach George F. Whitfield had long prepared McDuffie and his mates for moments like this.
Over a coaching career that would extend from the late 1950s until 2015, Whitfield would send legions of "his boys" on to success. A respectable number would find that in the college, professional, and even major league ranks. Some of them would perform in the NFL. Many others would notch impressive achievements in non-sports pursuits.
But in this moment, days short of the U.S. Bicentennial, Whitfield would look to a young man who was not ticketed for professional stardom to perform in the clutch.
Neither Mike McDuffie, nor his older brother, Henry, caught the long looks from college and pro scouts that select others attracted. Both of them tended to be underrated by too many. Coaches, fellow players, and opponents who lined up against them knew better.
Despite a severe childhood hand injury, Henry McDuffie wielded a fine bat, and a smooth glove, for more than one state champ. Running backs who tried their luck on Henry's side of the gridiron often did so at their peril.
But this instance in Charlotte, against Garinger High, belonged to Mike McDuffie. In a best-of-three state title series, winning the first game supplies the victor with a huge advantage. Destined for collegiate and professional success en route to the majors, Garinger's Brick Smith was among the best N.C. high school pitchers in 1976. He'd now handcuffed the Raiders to a 2-0 deficit with two outs in the final frame as McDuffie stepped up.
With Richmond fans looking for the exits, Garinger folks poised to celebrate, and a 3-2 pitch count, it would be tempting to describe the moment as daunting. But Mike McDuffie displayed fortitude in holding off on a pitch described as "slightly outside."
Enter Jeff Thomas. The senior later confessed to praying for "a chance to do something." After his tying homer to left field, Thomas acknowledged the divine intervention: "The Man came through."
1976 Richmond Senior state championship team members.
Courtesy Rick and Cindy Watkins
Years before he would become Dr. Rick Watkins, local county commissioner and community leader, it was Ricky Watkins' turn to face Smith.
Throughout his school and youth leagues career, the Raider senior had found success on the mound. Amid the buzz and bedlam of the remaining Raider faithful, Watkins mulled what he might do in Brick Smith's predicament.
"Oh, I'd knock the next guy down!"
Rather than the curve ball he initially got, Watkins thought Smith would send a fast ball toward his head. Instead, Watkins rocketed Smith's bender over the leaping Scott Currie in right field, and into Raider lore.
Before stepping up to the dish with that dollop of trepidation, Watkins looked to another Whitfield veteran — first base coach Paul Faulk of the 1972 Hamlet American Legion state champ squad — for guidance and a measure of calm.
Faulk took a few steps before opening his palms. "I knew that meant 'swing away — just hit it out of the park'," Watkins noted. It seemed the future 30-year major league scout, Faulk, had an eye for capability even then.
The remaining games may have seemed anticlimactic as Richmond dropped a game before clinching in game 3 behind senior Charlie Davis.
The achievements of a golden era of Richmond County baseball — eight high school or American Legion state titles from 1968 until 1983 — were on display in the RSHS cafeteria on Aug. 22, to be celebrated along with the 90th birthday of coach/mentor George Whitfield. He would pilot a ninth state title, at age 78, with Kinston's Arendell Parrott Academy in 2015.
That last title must have been especially satisfying, coming on the same Grainger Stadium field in Kinston where George had competed in his youth.
As gracious and kind as ever, Mary Lou was on hand from Goldsboro, with George, for the reunion of many old friends as well as former players.
Mary Lou Whitfield
Courtesy Rick and Cindy Watkins
During their more than two decades in Richmond County, George Whitfield and Mary Lou raised a family while he coached multiple sports, and they each pursued teaching careers.
Her insights as both a mom and teacher helped soften the iron-disciplined coach's edges with encouragement, warmth, and friendship extended to his youthful charges and their families. Mary Lou loved welcoming George's players — from all walks of life — into their home. More than a few considered her as a surrogate "mom."
"Some were struggling and felt free to come here", she noted. "I washed plenty of uniforms", she chuckled, "especially during Legion seasons."
Ruben Wall, Franklin Stubbs, Steve Winchester and Carlton Mumford are among former players that Mary Lou fondly recalls, noting them among the players who still maintain contact with her.
David Roper, a four-year starter on Hamlet Red Rams squads, and a 1973 Raider state champion shortstop, is another who is well-remembered.
“His mother was an angel. I knew her well", Mary Lou smiled.
For his part, Roper considered Coach Whitfield as a "father-figure," and a guiding light. That was especially important as David's parents separated when he was age 9, and his father left the state. Roper was a member of the 1972 Legion state championship team, and when the local high schools consolidated into RSHS that fall, he and core members of the Legion squad were confident they possessed the makings of a title on the high school level.
Drafted by the Phillies after a college stint, David played a couple of years in the minors before an injury cut his major league hopes short.
George Whitfield
Courtesy Rick and Cindy Watkins
Nine decades may have mellowed George Whitfield a bit, but his demeanor and presence are still commanding ones. Both his mind and wit were as sharp as ever as he held court beforehand with members of the 1976 high school team in observance of the 50th anniversary of their dramatic state championship victory.
As the afternoon progressed, Whitfield called members of his various squads to the fore, requiring almost no notes as the 90-year old placed hands to shoulders of his long ago charges, calling their names and positions on the respective teams.
Former Red Rams' and 1973 state champion student manager Jerry "Bulldog" Lamont has been a yeoman in the George Whitfield orbit since high school, as well as a personal friend. Lamont plays a key role in organizing reunions, including the Aug. 22 event. He credits caterer Kevin Bowman for the highly complimented BBQ meal.
"When the coach calls on you, you do it", Lamont observes with a smile.
Lamont and other teammates are working to raise funds, along with tax-exempt designation, among former players to donate to school athletics and the Hamlet American Legion team. There are also hopes for a future museum dedicated to Whitfield.
Any such museum, however, would require something very close to the veteran coach's heart. A remembrance of his now-deceased players.
Around 18 members, coaches, or team officials of Coach Whitfield's state champion squads have now passed.
The late McDuffie brothers — Henry and Mike — are among them. Although Henry outlived Mike by nearly two decades, both are mourned for departing from family, friends, and former teammates before their time.
But life goes on as boys grow into adults, then into elderly men. The strong athletic bodies that hurled complete games, stole bases, chased fly balls, and hit 4-for-4, have surrendered to time and infirmities. Name tags to recall school pals are de rigueur. Family, professional, and personal achievements replace championship plaques and rings soon enough. A granddaughter's diploma may have nudged that 1974 state title plaque on the den wall.
What, then, draws some 150 former players, and their families, from around the country, and across nearly 60 years, to recall past youth? On this day it was a 90-year old man who, in their youth, convinced them to eschew precious hours and days of folly and fun, and dedicate themselves to work, sweat, and his disciplined plans.
Maybe they would win and bask in the glory with him, decades later, on days like this. But he had, moreover, promised them disciplined habits, and a sense of personal satisfaction in hard-earned achievements.
Just as the drill instructor knows of the enemy's traps and minefields in preparing his trainees for war, so this coach/mentor understood life's obstacles as he prepared his charges for athletic competition. The games they would play were metaphors for life beyond school.
Yes, winning mattered; but, it also mattered how you played.
He also promised to be there for them — to help or to encourage — both in their youth, and in the passing years. Beyond those possessing star-grade talent, George Whitfield was still there. Maybe it was finding a small scholarship for the boy who'd worked hard to maintain a utility infield position that came with little playing time. Perhaps the long ago kid who had struggled to hit, or throw, a curve could find help in a Whitfield connection.
Bat girls, from left: Cindy H. Watkins, Kathy L. Lewis, Dawn C. Williams and Lillian H. Sakai.
Gone in the 21st century of high school baseball, it seems are bat girls. Coach Whitfield had discovered a secret about them beyond looks and charm. They worked as hard as players. Known in school days as Cindy Haltiwanger, Lorna Butler, Bridget Gibbons, Dawn Caulk, Kathy Lunceford and Lillian Hickman, these were among former bat girls present for the Aug. 22 reunion.
Now married to Rick Watkins, the former Cindy Haltiwanger recalled her junior and senior years in uniform for Raider baseball.
"We had plenty to do. Bat girls kept statistics, ran the scoreboard, and maintained pitch counts," she noted, as well as making sure loose bats didn't present hazards to players concentrating on field action.
Former professional athletes Louis Breeden, Franklin Stubbs and Brian Moehler were present to celebrate their old coach.
After he was a 1972 Legion state champ, Louis Breeden's defensive efforts over the 1981 season, and his stellar performance in the AFC title game, propelled the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance.
High school and Legion standout Franklin Stubbs owns a championship ring after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in the 1988 World Series.
Brian Moehler claims a decade of pitching accomplishments with four major league clubs, earning 84 wins and 859 strikeouts. Moehler won both the last game in Detroit's old Tiger Stadium, and their inaugural game in the team's new Comerica Park the following year.
For about an inning in that Tiger Stadium finale, Moehler was matched against Whitfield alum Alvin Morman of the Kansas City Royals.
1974 Richmond Senior state championship team members.
Courtesy Rick and Cindy Watkins
George Whitfield also promised his teenaged acolytes something else: wind sprints. Lots of them.
What are wind sprints? They are running full speed until every muscle burns, your legs turn to rubber, your lungs nearly burst, and your last meal comes a'calling in reverse. The sprints usually covered the area between the foul lines on Raider Field; or, any area defined by George Whitfield's limitless imagination.
There were guys who, halfway through a set of them, swore they heard laughter from the 15th century ghost of Tomas de Torquemada.
Originally a tool for conditioning bodies to maintain stamina deep into a game, they served other purposes too. Apart from conditioning, what typically triggered them? Apathy in practice, or in the field of play; nonchalance; poor performance in a loss — or even in a win.
They also winnowed the wannabe and the callow dreamer of easy sports glory, usually, after only a few of them.
The wind sprints are long past for aged legs. Championship mementos are, likely, in storage, and the rings have migrated to the rear of jewelry boxes. Alongside such nuggets as "Nobody remembers who finished second," and, "Losing is not in our vocabulary," another Whitfield mantra resonates: "Take pride in your performance now. You won't regret it when you are old."
It comes as no surprise that the coach is still around to remind us.
