By Bill Center
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 14, 2005

It was just about the time Geoff Geary was being drafted by the Phillies in 1997 that his closest childhood friend was receiving the worst possible news.

At the age of 21, Erich Wendel was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . . . or what has come to be known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"We grew up playing baseball in the Fletcher Hills Little League," recalled Geary. "Erich was always that kid who was 2½ inches taller than everyone else. He threw hard, but he was wild. By the time we got to Grossmont High, Erich was 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds and playing basketball and I was playing baseball.

"To see him then, it was impossible to believe he could have something like ALS."

Over the next six years, Geary's body grew stronger as Wendel's weakened.

But there was a twist.

"Erich became my mentor," said Geary, who attended Mesa College and the University of Oklahoma after graduating from Grossmont High while Wendel attended Grossmont College.

"Whenever I talked to him on the phone, he took the load off my shoulder. One time I told him I was going to quit, and he talked me out of it. He told me that my making it to the majors was his dream, too."

Wendel, who would have turned 30 today, died in the fall of 2003. "The day the fires started," remembered Geary.

Today, the Phillies reliever is going to honor the memory of Wendel by hosting an ALS benefit for 180 people atop the Western Metal Supply Co. building during the finale of the Phillies-Padres series.

"We've sold all the tickets," said Geary of the benefit for the Erich Wendel's Families With ALS Relief Fund. "The organization provides help to East County families victimized by ALS. Usually, it strikes the breadwinner. The fund helps with food, transportation, clothing and even the construction ramps to help victims with access problems."

The Phillies reliever, who still resides in El Cajon during the offseason, hopes to visit the event before the start of this afternoon's game. "There will be a silent auction. It's a good event," said Geary, who is also planning a Nov. 12 golf tournament at Singing Hills to aid the fund.

"Last year, I just wrote a check," said Geary. "That's easy. I physically wanted to put my hands into it. That's better than writing a check. But right now, I'm at a slow jog. I'm still learning how best to do this. I know I can do a lot, but I don't want to jump in over my head. This could really become a good thing for San Diego."

Geary is constantly reminded of Wendel. He wears a wristband with "Never Give Up" etched into the red plastic. "That was Erich's motto," said Geary after a strenuous pregame jog up and down the aisles of Petco Park yesterday afternoon.

"I'd really like to pass on Erich's legacy," said Geary.

"He was far more mentally strong than anyone I knew. We drove across country together to my first spring training in Florida. I got stronger just listening to Erich. A lot of what I do today starts with things Erich and I talked about. And we talked about everything."