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Where Are They Now? Dan Deutsch....

By Bronzed Nuts, 08/23/07, 7:39AM HKT

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Find out what Dan has been up to since leaving Hong Kong.

League legend Dan Deutsch played with Santa Fe for five years, winning a championship four times.  Generally he is considered one of the best players ever to play in Hong Kong and was known for being an outspoken team leader and a great teammate to play with. 

 

In his day Dan enjoyed a friendly yet competitive rivalry with fellow legend Cody Cain.  The two were regarded as by far the most talented players in the league and seemingly would meet up in the playoffs each year.  Dan was kind enough to agree to answer some questions, give us his thoughts on his playing days and a host of other topics as well……. .

 

So Dan, Where are you living now and what is going on in the life of Dan Deustch?

Since leaving HK in June of 2000, I have been living on Long Island, and working for Citi in NY.  I played softball competitively for three years.  Unfortunately, I herniated a couple of discs while diving for a ball during the league championships in 2003, and have not been able to play since.  I still have dreams of making a comeback.  We shall see.  Meantime, I am really enjoying my kids.

 

How many kids?

Two.  Elijah, who was born in Hong Kong in 1999, is now 8 years old.  Maegan is 6. 

 

Do you miss the HK life style?

Without a doubt.  HK was a great period of my life, and I think about it often. 

 

Tell us about your days with Santa Fe.  Every year you seemed to win the championship and obviously there was more to the team than just you.  Who were some of the other great players that you played with?

It was a lot of fun being part of Santa Fe.  We took pride in trying to do all the little things right; defense, base-running, situational hitting.  We always had confidence that our fundamentals would keep is in the game against anyone in the league.  We didn’t get rattled if we fell behind early – we knew if we stayed focused, we could get ourselves back in the game. 

 

The core guys who were there for most of my five years were John So, Mark “Tommy Chong” Hawley, Lee “Twinky” Smith, Derek Yeung, Phil Kam, Tim “Weed” Meade, Peter Comparelli, Jimmy “Tomahawk” Wong, Robert “Shotgun” Cormier, Rick Schmidt, David So and Robert Chiu.  During my last couple of years, we were able to talk Johnny Lau into playing with us, and that was a big addition.

 

But John So was the key.  In addition to being an excellent hitter, he played great defense, and always seemed to come up with the big play at the right time.  Running out and catching pop-ups with his back to home plate; nailing runners at the plate with perfect relay throws; turning base hits up the middle into inning-ending double plays.  Johnny So was the man.   And he did all that while managing the team, making the line-ups, making sure to get everybody in.  He was able to keep most people happy most of the time.  You can’t do any better than that.

 

Who were your good friends from the team?

When you play with guys for five years, you become pretty close with everyone.  Off the field, I probably spent the most time with Hawley, Lee, Compy, Weed and DY.  

 

Who were your good friends from the rest of the league?

I had a lot of fun with many guys in the league.  Playing with Gas House Gang was a great opportunity to get to know some of the other players.  And hanging out in the bleachers sharing beers & talking ball was great.  But the guys I probably spent the most time with were Cody, Dom, and Coop.  

 

 

Do you still keep in touch with any of them?

Cody and I still stay in touch.  And I still speak with Dom whenever I could use a laugh.

 

What is your fondest memory from playing in the league?

Overall, the four championships with Santa Fe (and the subsequent celebrations) would have to be highlights.  Both as a team and as an individual player, that is the ultimate goal.  I also miss hanging out in the right field bleachers of King Park after the games.  That was a blast.  Nothing like playing the last game of the day with four drunk teams heckling from the bleachers.  I can still hear Leatherlung Halford pouring it on.

 

I loved playing in tournaments with the Gas House Gang, and have some great memories from them.   It was a lot of fun both on & off the field.  On the field, we played some competitive ball.  Off the field, the shotgun competitions with the Heat on the bus rides back to the hotel were always interesting, and I will never forget pulling off the spoon trick on Lee Smith.

 

I would also like to share one of my favorite stories.  We were playing USC (Current day Sportview), and Noonan and McIntyre were going through a hate phase of their love-hate relationship.  In particular, Mac wanted to play first, but Noonan, who was managing at the time, put Mac at 3rd, and had himself playing 1st.  I decided to throw some gasoline on the fire.  I reached first base, where Noonan was playing, and said “what’s up with McIntyre?” 

Noonan:    “What do you mean?”

DD:  “Well, he’s pissing & moaning about your line up. Thinks he should be playing first, not you.”

Noonan:  He said that?

DD:  “Yep”

Noonan:  “#$%& him, he’s an “#$%hole”

 

Then I went to third base, where Mac was playing, and said “What’s up with Noonan?”

McIntyre:  “What are you talking about?”

DD:  “Well, he said you’re an “#$%hole, that you’re always pissing & moaning about the line up, and that you’re a better team when he’s at 1st.”

McIntyre:  “He said that?”

DD:  “Yep”

 

When the inning ended, I grabbed my glove & headed to the outfield.  I turned to see Noonan & McIntyre jaw to jaw on the sidelines.  It was beautiful, and I was proud.

 

 

Van Halen- David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar??

Don’t know.  They should try Dee Snyder.

 

Which one of Rocky Balboa’s opponents were more intimidating- Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago?  I mean Clubber was not only big but he was verbose and had no problem getting in your face.  Drago was more of the quiet, stoic Russian type.  Please share your thoughts?

I’d have to go with Drago.  Clubber talked too much.  You always gotta watch the quiet ones.  It’s why nobody fears you Flynn.

(EDITOR’S NOTE- I pitty the fool that calls me Clubber!!)

 

Who had the better famous quote?  Lang- “gonna bust you up!”.  Drago- “I must break you!”

Seems you could recover from a bust up, but if you get broken, well that sounds a little more permanent.  By the way, my favorite Rocky moment was when Paulie threw Adrian’s Turkey out the door. 

 

Many people probably don’t know that you currently play in the same fantasy baseball league as fellow HKSPSA players Moss, Flynn, Savino, Comparelli, Bird, Duke, Romo, Martinetti, Flach and Bego.  How come you stink at it?  I guess being a great player doesn’t translate into being a great fantasy player??

Interesting theory. 

 

In our fantasy baseball league Ronnie Moss has served in the role as your “Cody Cain”, your chief rival, the man you verbally joust with.  The only difference between him and Cody is you seem to have trouble beating Ronnie.  Care to comment?

Another interesting theory.  I never realized it, but you’re right.  Ronnie and Cody are quite a bit alike.  I wouldn’t trust either of them alone with my son.

 

Bonds- good for baseball or complete idiot?

Can’t stand him, but damn he could hit.

 

In closing, is there anything you want to say to the guys back in Hong Kong? 

Wish I was there!

 

Discuss Dan Deutsch on the Rumor Mill