Well-traveled Frog

The Everett AquaSox nearly have their Olympian back.

AquaSox infielder Yung Chi Chen was expected to return to Everett late Thursday night after playing for Taiwan’s baseball team at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Chen, who still led the Northwest League with 22 steals through Wednesday’s games despite missing nearly three weeks, should jump right into the starting lineup.

“If he’s here (Thursday night), he’ll play (today),” Everett manager Pedro Grifol said.

Taiwan finished 3-4 and failed to advance to the medal round.

More Olympics: The Athens Games have provided plenty of interesting stories so far, and Grifol said he’s been enjoying every moment.

“I love the Olympics. Even as a kid, I always enjoyed it.”

In baseball, Grifol was excited to see Cuba win the gold medal with a 6-2 victory over Australia on Wednesday.

“It was kind of neat to see them win,” said Grifol, who in 1989 played against Cuba for the United States national team in Puerto Rico. “They play under such pressure, it’s like the World Series for them.”

After winning gold in 2000, the U.S. didn’t qualify for the Olympics – something Grifol said should never happen again.

“We should really make it a point to represent the U.S. That’s America’s pastime.”

Baseball mummy: Whether he was trying out a new Halloween costume idea or simply had too much time on his hands, Everett outfielder Elvis Cruz turned heads and induced laughs before Thursday’s doubleheader.

Following warmups, Cruz wrapped his entire head with beige-colored pre-wrap, a stretchy material that goes under trainer’s tape. Cruz left a slit for breathing and wore fancy shades and his AquaSox cap.

Some teammates chuckled, some rolled their eyes, and some probably just wondered where the mummy came from and if he could hit.

What was Cruz’s inspiration?

“I was just bored, just messing around.”