Kernels' Bedrosian pitches woo to gymnast Johnson

CEDAR RAPIDS - There's a piece of paper tacked to the wall in the Cedar Rapids Kernels clubhouse that serves as a pass list.

Any Kernels player that wants a free ticket for someone for that night's game has to sign the list. It's two tickets per guy, though bartering with teammates for extras is allowed.

Family members come to town throughout the season, obviously, as do girlfriends. Then there's the odd chance Shawn Johnson might show up.

At least that's what Cam Bedrosian is hoping. Since the Kernels pitcher arrived in Cedar Rapids from Angels extended spring training in late April, he has put the former Olympic gymnast/"Dancing With The Stars" champion on his pass list.

Every day, without fail.

"I've always been a big fan of hers," said Bedrosian, whose Kernels beat Wisconsin, 5-3, before 1,807 fans Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. "I know she lives here in Iowa. In Des Moines, right? I just kind of started it as a joke. We've Tweeted at her a couple of times, to see if she'll come to a game. She hasn't (replied). I know she's got a lot of fans, though."

Bedrosian is a good kid whose father, Steve, pitched a long time in the big leagues. He's a first-round draft pick who signed for over a million dollars, so don't get the idea he is a creepy star lover or anything.

He and Johnson actually would make a good-looking couple.

“I've always liked athletic girls, I guess,” Bedrosian said.

Shhhh, don't tell him, but the Kernels are working on getting her here. Brandon Clemens, the club's Entertainment and Community Relations Manager, has reached out to Johnson and her agent about the possibility of driving a couple hours north and east.

Wouldn't it be something if she actually did?

“I'm going to follow up with her again,” Clemens said. “The biggest thing is we just want her to come here, even if it's two o'clock in the afternoon when they're working out or something.”

"I don't know what I'd do," Bedrosian said. "I'd be very happy, but I don't know what I'd do."

It was pointed out to him that Johnson will enroll at the University of Iowa this fall.

"Really? I'm going to have to fill out an application there," he said with a smile. "See if I can get in."

The Kernels (36-48 overall, 4-10 second half) got a two-run, two-out single from Alex Yarbrough in the fourth inning to complete the scoring in this one. Eric Stamets had three hits, including a solo home run in the first.

Carmine Giardina threw three shutout innings and struck out seven in relief of winner Frank DeJiulio, with Ty Kelley pitching the ninth for the save.

Before the game, there was a moment of silence for longtime Kernels board of directors member Al Smith, who passed away Thursday at the age of 80. A native of the south side of Chicago, Smith first came to Cedar Rapids in 1952 as a member of the Cedar Rapids Indians ballclub.

The teams complete their three-game series Friday night at 6:35.

Here is the game boxscore