Steve Gergle earned career victory #100 last evening (Thursday, July 16th) as Township downed Stewartstown 10-1.  Backing him up on defense, at 3rd base, was fellow 100+ game winner and teammate, Jay Dimler.

Updated: 07/16/2009 11:42:23 PM EDT

SPRY - After receiving the traditional dousing from the water cooler to mark his milestone on Thursday evening, York Township pitcher Steve Gergle gathered his teammates around him.

"It's not so much that I got 100 (victories)," Gergle told the players. "It's that Jay (Dimler) has 100, too. That says something about this organization to have two guys with 100. Thanks, guys."

A power pitcher in his heyday of the 1980s and 1990s, Gergle now relies on hitting his spots, changing speeds on his curveball and letting the fielders make the plays.

The 47-year-old, whose also managed the team for four seasons, doesn't know how much longer he'll be able to play. When he does finally retire, Gergle will have a load of fond memories, including the evening of July 16, 2009, when he hit the century mark in victories.

The right-hander came within one out of a shutout as Township defeated Stewartstown, 10-1.

Stewartstown's Jason Mitchell and Jared Hammers cracked back-to-back, two-out doubles in the top of the seventh to spoil the shutout.

"We won the game, so that was OK that I didn't get the shutout," Gergle said. "Give them (Stewartstown) credit. The battled when they were down.

"I'm very relieved and very happy I got the 100th victory. I wasn't nervous going into the game, but I thought a lot today about all the people I played with on this team."

Gergle joined York Township in 1984 right out of Millersville University. Dimler signed on in 1991.

The two were synonymous with pitching excellence for a team that won 10 Susquehanna League regular-season crowns and eight playoff titles in the 1980s and 1990s.

"I was the No. 1 pitcher when he (Dimler) came along, and he was better than me," Gergle said. "He drove me to be even better. We pushed each other in a good way."

Dimler, who has 135 career victories, entered Thursday evening's game in the fourth inning as a pinch hitter. He then finished out the contest at third base, where he handled three chances flawlessly.

"We've (Gergle and Dimler) been here the whole time during our careers," Dimler said. "Three years ago, I had my knee scoped, and I came back. And Gergs snapped his wrist during the preseason one year, but he came back near the end of the season. I'm very happy for Gergs. This is his night."

Gergle's voice broke at times when he talked about all of his teammates over the years and the people who helped make it possible for him to play the game he loves for so long.

"You need the help and support of a lot of people, and my wife (Ann) and my daughter (Morgan) have given that," he said. "I don't know what I would have done without baseball in the summertime."

York Township manager Brad Chambers was in charge of the team in Gergle's rookie year and returned to the club this year after managing in the Central League for 10 years.

"I was able to come full circle," Chambers said. "I saw Gergs' first victory and his 100th victory.

"When Gergs managed, he didn't pitch. If he did, he would have reached 100 four years ago. But I'm really glad for him. He deserves this honor."

Gergle, who works for Wellspan, has 500 career hits to go with his 100 pitching victories. He struck out one and didn't issue any walks in the victory over Stewartstown.

John Woltman, who's been with Gergle from the beginning and is currently a York Township coach, came up as a pinch hitter on Thursday and drew a walk.

John Jamison and Morgan Markey collected three hits apiece for Township, which scored all of its runs in the first three innings. Bill Bode and Mike Wokulich had two hits for the winners, and Bode drove in three runs. Don Wilson and Tyler Anderson finished with two hits each for Stewartstown.

Reach Dick VanOlinda at: dvanolinda@yorkdispatch.com or 717-505-5407.

 

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The inaugural Susquehanna Baseball League Golf outing tees off on Friday, August 14th. The event is being held at the Grandview Golf Course (York, PA). The event benefits the Susquehanna Baseball League Scholarship Fund and the General Fund.

 

Registration: Begins at 12:00 PM

Start: Shotgun start at 1:00 PM

Cost: $70.00 per player or $50.00 per Sponsor (Meal and drinks are provided)