I was a senior and it was almost time for graduation. There was so much excitement in the air . as our journey was nearing its end, there was one last rivalry left to be played. Our baseball team at Washington Irving High School had a loaded roster and was looking to upend arch rival Bridgeport. Everyone in town was giving the Hilltoppers the edge that season because there was a new coach on the block in Tribe Territory.
Robert Shields was his name and all he had on his mind was winning.
Shields picked up his first coaching win in an epic clash with W. I. and since then, 38 years later, he has continued to do so each and every season. What is the secret to his success?
There is an old saying that the devil is in the details and, if so, Shields would have horns that would dwarf anything you would find on the biggest steers in Texas! His preparation is unmatched. He thinks of every situation and every possible matchup. He plays games out with every possible scenario well before the first pitch. I would liken him to a modern-day Nostradamus of the baseball diamond. He plays the percentages perfectly; he is never afraid to play small ball to generate run production, and his hunches are almost always correct.
When you put it all together, you have the most winning coach in North Central West Virginia and the second most in the Mountain State.
On Cinco de Mayo, Shields and his Indians picked up a win over Robert C. Byrd. For those that don’t know, W. I. H. S. was consolidated into RCB years ago, so it is ironic that it was his 1,000th career win. He trails only John Lowry of Jefferson in career wins. Lowery has 1,500 victories and 12 titles. Shields is also a great developer of young talent. He only has five seniors on this year’s roster.
The Indians lost to RCB on April 8. A month and three days later, they beat the Flying Eagles 15 to five. Since that setback to RCB, Shields and company have only lost two games, have won 15 of their last 16 contests, and are on a seven game win streak with just North Marion left on the regular season schedule. During the streak, the Tribe has outscored its opponents 66 to 17, putting up double-digit runs in four of their affairs.
Out of all of the wins that Shields has accumulated, nine of them matter more than others. They are his championship victories. He has his squad poised and ready to battle for a 10th this year. Catching Lowery’s win total might not be possible, but as far as hitters go, well the man in the panhandle better keep winning if he wants to keep that record. I have a sneaking suspicion that Shields is nowhere near the end of his championship collecting days.
While players and fans were celebrating on Cinco de Mayo, Shields was in the laboratory working on strategies for future opponents.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
