BIG TIME PLAYER — Hunter Pence, middle, poses for a photo with relatives Jeremy and Brandon Hartung before a July 4 game this season. Pence was recently traded from the Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence has relatives in the area. (Submitted photo)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
It has been said that Hunter Pence is one of the best young players in major league baseball, that he epitomizes the way the game should be played.
Apparently, the Philadelphia Phillies thought so too.
The National League power recently traded for the Houston Astros outfielder who has roots deep in Minnesota and Texas.
Pence, son of Howard Pence, who lived in Southern Minnesota for many years, was one of the players who participated in the All-Star Game on July 12th, which was played in Phoenix. His grandmother, Delphine (Peterson) Pence, currently lives in Albert Lea, though she and the late Phillip Pence lived in Geneva for many years.
The trade to Philadelphia was not necessarily Pence’s idea as he lived his entire life in Texas, but it does provide him a good chance of playing in the World Series some day. Pence is baseball through and through. He plays the game for fun, not fortune.
No one could have been prouder of his cousin than Larry Pence of Albert Lea.
Larry Pence has followed his cousin’s career in baseball for many years through phone calls with his cousin, Howard. Larry said he and his wife, Vikki, happened to watch a Houston Astros baseball game on television back in April of 2007, while they were trying to find the Minnesota Twins. They saw an Astros player slide into third base. Larry thought the player looked familiar and his thought was confirmed when Pence stood back up.
Larry could see the No. 9, which was Pence’s number with the Astros, on the back of his uniform. Many of the fans of the Astros also thought Hunter was a great ball player, as many fans could be seen wearing Astros jerseys with "Pence" printed on the back.
Larry said he had only been able to see his cousin play once in person for the Astros. Needless to say, Larry was excited then, and he is excited again now. Larry told us that Hunter will probably make more than $6.9 million this season with the Phillies. Larry went on say that money isn't as important to Hunter as being able to play baseball.
Hunter earned his honors on the ball fields on his own, with a little help from his dad, who convinced him to do his best. And his best was good. Pence played shortstop at Arlington High School, in Arlington, Texas, and once he graduated went on to play at the University of Texas, also in Arlington. In 2004, he was drafted by the Astros, which his family thought was fantastic, as he would be able to "stay home" so to speak, in Texas.
Geneva has been considered a town that remains very proud of the teams and players that played even back in the day. Geneva residents remember how their local ball parks were always filled with activity, young and old, male and female. Many championships and trophies were won by these teams and the skill kept moving on.
Geneva folks have been watching for Pence on television and, though he’s not always easy to find, it has been a thrill to see him play when they can. They are proud of Pence and his many accomplishments.
