Poker Champ To Throw
Published on May 17, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers baseball players may not be the only ones wearing helmets at Friday night's game. The fans may want to bring their own as well, because world-class poker champion, but novice baseball player, Scotty Nguyen is throwing out the first pitch.
"I've never thrown a baseball before," Scotty said. "Yesterday [Tulsa Drillers owner] Chuck Lamson showed me how to throw. I did it six times and now I'm ready," Scotty said with a grin.
Growing up poor in war-torn Vietnam, baseball wasn't something that Scotty, born Nha Trang, would have ever been able to play. One of thirteen siblings, Scotty spent his days just trying to get by, playing cards to win everyday items such as clothes, shoes and school supplies.
Moving to the United States at age 14, Scotty took a job cleaning tables in a Las Vegas casino. Quickly honing his card playing skills, Scotty became a dealer at age 21. Just two years later, he competed in his first tournament at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, winning $100,000. Fast forward more than 20 years and Scotty is now one of only four men in the world to have won both the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour. Scotty now represents Cherokee Casino worldwide at professional poker tournaments and has even made Cherokee Casino Resort the exclusive home of his Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge, now in its third year.
Having mastered poker, Scotty is anxious to try his hand at the opposite end of the sports spectrum, baseball. In addition to throwing out the first pitch, Scotty will arrive at Drillers Stadium at 5:30 p.m., joining the team for its pre-game workout. It's tough to say who's more excited about tomorrow night's pre-game exhibition-Scotty or the Drillers organization itself.
"Our staff and players are looking forward to having Scotty at the ballpark," said Jason George, assistant general manager for the Drillers. "I'm sure his FIRST pitch will be a memorable one!"
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