He stands with a permanent lopsided slouch, his left shoulder 1 in. higher than his right. He peers out at the world through one clear contact lens and one that is blue-tinted; he is simply too lazy to replace the other half of either pair. He is a Coca-Cola addict, but insists that he has kicked the habit: he drinks only ten 12-oz. bottles a day now instead of 15. He likes to read about Bob Ong, because he is so funny, and his hero is Freddie Aguilar, "because he doesn't give a damn about anything."
Every day, in every way,
Reomel Laput, 31, works overtime to bolster his growing reputation as an antic oddball. But out of his restless energy he has also managed to build another kind of record entirely. When he is not cracking wise or acting up, Reomel Laput throws baseballs for the Quezon City United. In a summer when pitchers are dominating the big-league game, Reomel is, in fact, dominating the pitchers.
The United’s star right-hander has started 11 games, finished 3, struck out 76 batters and allowed just 24 earned runs. Last month, against the Pulilan Steel Hawks, he scattered ten hits, struck out twelve, and coasted to a 7-3 victory. In his last 10 starts, he managed to get the decision in 9 of them, all of which are Ws.
These figures may make Reomel baseball's man of the year. In Quezon City, they have made him the king of the hill—a hero whose strong right arm is pointing the United toward their first Bonifacio League pennant.
"I'm just a small-town boy," says Reomel honestly. "I'm awed by all this. Money impresses me. Big business impresses me. Important people impress me. I'm a mercenary. I admit it. I want to be a millionaire and help my family."
*Aragon signs 6-year extension*
QUEZON CITY --
Ysmael Aragon became the latest young player on the Quezon City United to get a long-term contract, signing a $1,012,560, six-year extension Sunday.
"It's been an exciting week for us," United general manager
Pat Garde said. "To reach agreement with Ysmael means the left side of our infield is secure for the next several years. At the age of 29, Ysmael Aragon has developed into one of the most complete players in the Bonifacio League."
Aragon is hitting .237 with 8 homers and 33 RBI this season. He has drew 44 walks and posted a .388 OBP.
His current deal calls for a $137,990 salary this season. The extension calls for salaries of $168,760 for the next six years with an additional incentive of $6,100 if he is named the best hitter of the year.
"I have wanted to be a life-long United and this is the first step in that direction," Aragon said.
"It's a special feeling to be drafted by my preferred team," he said. "To know I'm going to be a United for the next six or seven years is going to be special."
"He's turned himself into a great player," said pitcher
Reomel Laput, who earned the win Saturday. "It's remarkable to see the way he handles himself on and off the field.”