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Former Large Hunter Pence first left an autograph for Dominic Marci after Marci had coronary heart surgical procedure. They’ve since met on a number of occassions, together with a latest occasion in San Francisco. (Picture courtesy of the Marci household)
SALINAS – 5 days into his life, Salinas Excessive sophomore Dominic Marci had open coronary heart surgical procedure at Stanford Medical Heart, the place a pacemaker was inserted.
The process has been repeated over his first 16 years, as just lately as Sept. 29, when Marci was given the inexperienced mild to renew all baseball actions.
Marci is passionate in regards to the sport and his inspiration has been former San Franciso Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.
“After I had my most up-to-date surgical procedure, I went to a espresso store that he goes to close the stadium and requested the proprietor if he may get him to signal a newspaper for me,” Marci mentioned.
When Marci returned from his checkup, he stopped by the espresso store, the place an autograph from Pence was ready for him.
“I used to be like wow that is fairly cool,” Marci mentioned. 
So when Marci realized of a latest occasion known as “Decide up Trash with Pence” in San Francisco final month, he signed himself and his father Tony up for the day to assist clear up the town.
“For about two hours, we cleaned up trash in Chinatown and North Seashore,” Marci mentioned. “There have been about 10 teams unfold out all through the town.”
The ultimate hour, nonetheless, is the place Marci had a second that was nearly as good as seeing a baseball land in McCovey Cove, as Pence came to visit, launched himself and started selecting up trash with the group.
“It was fairly cool when he got here up,” Marci mentioned. “I needed to introduce myself. From that second, he known as me by my first title. After the occasion, I bought an image with him and his spouse.”
This was not the primary picture Marci had taken with Pence, as his grandmother Dolores Caprara Billman took an image of the 2 in 2018 on her grandson’s thirteenth birthday exterior Oracle Park.
“We dearly love Hunter Pence,” Caprara Billman mentioned. “We’re large Giants followers. He’s been such an inspiration for Dominic with how he performed the sport, and what he continues to do off the sphere.”
Footage and autographs are keepsakes. What Marci will treasure was the chance to face subsequent to his idol and ask questions and choose his mind about baseball and life typically.
“This time I bought to spend time and discuss to him,” Marci mentioned. “Even my dad mentioned this was higher than a recreation as a result of we bought to go to with him. He was actually chill.’’
Marci has tried to mannequin his recreation after Pence, who helped the Giants to World Collection titles in 2012 and 2014, even taking part in the identical place within the outfield in youth leagues.
“After I talked about baseball, I instructed him my place,” Marci mentioned. “He mentioned ‘good.’ He supplied numerous encouragement. He has this upbeat character. He's actually right down to earth.”
As Pence did throughout his taking part in days with the Giants, Marci mentioned he rode as much as his group in an electrical scooter the workforce gave him, spending almost an hour with them gathering trash.
“He requested me what I do in my day by day life,” Marci mentioned. “I talked to him about some video video games I play. I instructed Hunter I've been taking part in baseball since I used to be 5.”
Having performed Little League and Pony League baseball, Marci was not capable of play at Salinas final 12 months as a freshman due to the pandemic, because the Salinas Union Excessive Faculty District allowed simply varsity sports activities within the spring.
He'll look to land a roster spot this season with the Cowboys’ junior varsity workforce.
“I’ve at all times had the enjoyment of taking part in baseball,” Marci mentioned. “I'm primarily a right-handed pull hitter. However I've been understanding this winter, attempting to hit to all fields.”
In different phrases, the 5-foot-8 Marci continues to attempt to emulate his recreation after Pence, who retired in 2020 with the Giants and stays in the neighborhood.
One of many highlights of the occasion got here when Marci returned residence and noticed himself on Pence’s Twitter account when the 2 had been speaking.
“There have been photographs of Dominic and Hunter collectively on his Twitter feed,” beamed Marci’s grandmother Caprara Billman. “Dominic is a fighter. He doesn’t look it. However he’s a tricky child. He can deal with any scenario handed to him. Hunter evokes him. What a particular second.”