The 1995 Walk-Off
The single most memorable championship moment of Joe O'Hara's 17 seasons at George Washington came at La Salle University on a hot, draining afternoon in the spring of 1995. His Eagles — the losers of the previous year's Public League final to Northeast, 11-0 — were back in the final against the same Northeast team. The game was going to the bottom of the ninth inning tied in the weather and the tension.
Northeast had scored twice in the top of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead. Washington had botched two ground balls in the bottom half, missed a double-play inches away, and somehow was still alive. In the bottom of the ninth, Matt Battista walked. Ryan "Rusty" Share hit a bullet to shortstop that was thrown wild. Mark Roque drew an intentional walk and stole second. A squeeze-bunt attempt went haywire. Mike Thierry reached on a muffed double play at shortstop. And Jeff Whitmore was intentionally walked to load the bases for Ric Mruk, George Washington's junior right fielder, with two outs.
"Never Give a Polack a Second Chance"
Mruk stepped to the plate and looked up into the stands for his father Richard's face. When he found it, he started laughing. He later told Ted Silary what had come into his head: his father's refrain that "you never give a Polack a second chance." Northeast right-hander Brett Rosen threw a first-pitch fastball.
I found his face — and then I started laughing a little. What came into my mind is what he always likes to say: 'Never give a Polack a second chance.' I don't know if he knew why I was laughing, but...
Mruk smashed a line drive to left-center that soared over Mike Ferro's head and thudded against the chain-link fence near the 330-foot sign. Mark Roque came half-running, half-dancing in from third. George Washington 7, Northeast 6, in nine innings, in 3 hours and 17 minutes. Final. Championship.
When I went over to hug my dad, he said to me, 'Never give a Polack a second chance.' Going down the line, I saw Mr. Bilkins jumping up and down. I knew that was it. It felt awesome. It felt great.
