Twenty four years and 499 games ago a Williamstown Wolves right fielder stepped on to the baseball field for the first time in senior competition. He was 14.
And the rest is Victorian baseball history.
At home on Sunday Glen Hardy is set to play his 500th game for Williamstown in a Division 2 reserves tilt against Upwey Ferntree Gully, a remarkable accomplishment for its longevity alone.
But it’s his production that is even more startling.
He has played 348 first grade games, 127 with the reserves, 13 in the thirds and—just for good measure—12 in the fourths.
Two years after he made his first Williamstown appearance, Hardy debuted in the first nine, remaining with the 1s for a Ripkin-esque 300 consecutive games.
Primarily a leadoff hitter, his lifetime batting average in the top grade is .295 and in the reserves he is hitting such a stratospheric figure that it undoubtedly would have made Rogers Hornsby jealous: .462.
These audacious numbers helped Hardy gain selection to the Williamstown Team of the Century in right field.
His brother Murray is no slouch either, having played in over 400 games. Moira and Bill, his mother and father, are also heavily involved in Wolves baseball.
Off the field, Hardy has also been a star and team player. He served as Secretary in 2008 and President from 2009-12. He has also coached the juniors and, along with his family, been an instrumental member of the Williamstown club.
He was awarded Life Membership in 2013.