Muffy spent 17 years as a Wilmont Cardinal and was a team and fan favorite...

The annual scrimmage between the Southwest Outlaws had more meaning than just a game this year as the Wilmont Cardinals honored recently retired Cardinal Jesse Teerink. The current Cardinal crew presented Teerink with a framed jersey to commemorate the team officially retiring his #17. An outfield banner was also hung in left field with Teerink's name and number in large bold letters.

Teerink's career in Wilmont started in 1996 and spanned 17 years through the end of the 2012 season. Jesse was a member of seven state tournament teams over those years and was a key contributor to the success that the Cardinals enjoyed in that time. Jesse was a mainstay in left field and known for his defensive expertise and specifically his butt slide catch technique. Teerink would charge a ball full speed and at the last second slide down and snipe it out of the air. He was also a very skilled hitter sporting a career average that was north of .300. Jesse even led the Cardinals in E.R.A. as a pitcher in one of his first seasons in Wilmont. (I bet a lot of people didn't know that one.) He had a nasty eephus pitch that all area umpires refused to call for a strike...even though most of the time it hit the catcher’s mitt over the heart of the plate.

Having spent my whole life playing baseball with Teerink, I can personally say that you would be hard pressed to find a better teammate, or friend. His personality provides amusement and spark for the whole team.  He has always made playing baseball fun for all those around him and I consider myself blessed to have had the chance to call him a teammate for as long as I have. 

Teerink joins Sam Baumgartner as the second Outlaw to have his number retired by the Cardinals.  Sam's number was retired in 2011.

Congratulations Jesse on an impressive amateur baseball career! As the plaque on his framed jersey reads…

Jesse "Muff" Teerink

"Forever #17"

Wilmont Cardinals 1996-2012

Now let’s concentrate on your Outlaws career! hahahah!