Kyle Petty was a senior when he signed as a 23rd-round pick out of the California University of Pennsylvania (yes, in California, Pennsylvania, he’s quick to point out). He was 24 years old the first time the Mariners sent him to Bakersfield. On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound first baseman was launching baseballs off an aircraft carrier into the Pacific Ocean.
Not hard to see why Petty continued to wave for more pitches even after blasting his way to the Midway Classic home run derby title with five of his first six swings.
“These people spend their time and money to come out here and you want to put on a show for them,” Petty said after an eight-homer round – tops by anyone all afternoon – put him over the top in the final round.