Holland's success in KC fills father with pride

KANSAS CITY -- The memories flow through Scott Holland's head, overflowing his brain with the sheer volume.

"Oh, man," he said, before pausing. "There's just ... there's just too many."

First, there was his son Greg, all 5-foot-10 of him, pitching for Western Carolina University, the only team that would give him and his mid-80s fastball a chance. And so he'd make the 90-minute trip down Interstate 40 for Childress Field at Hennon Stadium.

Velocity gained on that fastball. A promotion in the bullpen soon followed. Before he knew it, Scott was watching his son pitch in late-game situations in Southern Conference tournament games.

Greg and the Catamounts started to overpower the Elons and the Furmans and, suddenly, Southern Conference tournament games turned into NCAA Tournament games. Scott watched anxiously as Greg stared down powerhouse North Carolina for a chance to reach the NCAA Super Regional in 2007.

Greg's success as a Catamount eventually led him to the Majors as the Royals drafted him in the 10th round in 2007. And so when Kansas City plays, Scott sits down in his Marion, N.C., home and waits for the ninth inning. This is when his boy trots out to put the finishing touch on Royals victories.


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