User:Breut Carmen

Breut “the Woodsman” Carmen Ashoo III was born April 8th 1956 in Lake County, MN. He is more commonly known as Breut Carmen. During his high school freshman baseball season Breut was prone to striking out, subsequently fair-weather fans ceremoniously chanted “Let’s Go Ass-Ho” whenever he entered the batter’s box. So in 1974 Breut dropped his last name Ashoo pronounced (\ah\show\).

The following summer Carmen spent countless hours working on his swing intent on becoming the baseball player he knew himself to be. Also as a promise to his mother and father. Both were convinced the butchering of the family name was to blame for the decline in business at the family run resort in Castle Danger. His sophomore year Carmen struck out fewer times than anyone else on the team. He also broke the Two Harbors High School home run record, earning him a new nickname “the Woodsman.” Breut’s father realized his son would not get the exposure he deserved in Lake County. He asked his sister if Breut could move in with her family in Bemidji his junior year. That year the Woodsman and his bat lead Bemidji to the 1973 State Championship. Sadly his new found fame was not enough to save the family business. Continued years of decline forced the Ashoo family to later sell the resort while it still held some value. The bulk of the revenue was used to support Carmen in his efforts to break into the big leagues.

Breut Carmen had a short stint on the Minnesota Twins Roster being called up from the triple A Tacoma, Twins on June, 2nd 1977. Although he did make it on field, he never actually played. On June 4th 1977, the Twins were losing 5 to 2 against the Red Sox. Boston’s stunning defense supported a great outing by starting pitcher Bill Lee who in eight innings held 28 Twins batters to just 6 hits, striking out 1, and walking none. With the top of the order at his disposal, Twins manager Gene Mauch must have believed at least two batters would make it on base giving Carmen, batting 5th for struggling DH Craig Kusick who in his last 6 games went 3 for 20, the opportunity to tie the game or better in his first major league at appearance. Mauch‘s plans appeared to be just a far flung as they sounded after both Terrell and Carew hit soft grounders to the infield for the first two outs of the inning. Next up Ford chasing the first pitch hit a soft fly through the gap for his first hit of the game. That brought Larry Hisle to the plate, 2 for 3 in the game, and young Carmen to the on deck circle. Carmen admits imagining hitting the game tying homerun the crowd roaring as he rounds the bases when the unthinkable happened. Hisle with a 1 and 2 count lined a foul into Carmen knee taking him out of the game. Hisle did reach base a few pitches later. Sadly Kusick, who technically was never subbed, was back in the order and hit for the third out ending the game. The events as tragic as they sound only get worse. Not only did the injury end the young prospects season, but sadly also his career. The Woodsman was never able to get his crushing swing back, without which his lack luster defense shuttled him into baseball obscurity forever.

His baseball years behind him Breut, moved back to Lake County, MN. His eyes were now set on buying back the family resort. It only seemed fitting that he should. After all, it was sold to finance his failed major league career. The new owners were surprised to hear Breut was interested in the property. Not looking to sell, they set a price tag for exceeding what little savings he had. Instead Breut invested in what little acreage he could and build a few modest cabins. He didn’t in baseball, so maybe the Woodman could make a name for himself in the Northwoods. Breut used the skills his father taught him growing up and became a guide. He spent years taking city folk hiking, trout fishing, hunting and canoeing. As Breut clients looked for bigger and better adventures, his sites on Castle Danger slowly drifted away. Today Breut keeps mostly to himself, content with his new life. If you’re lucky, you might stumble into him at a Twins Community Event. But you’re more likely to find him at any of his favorite Lake County activities.

The Woodsman’s Favorite Activities

 * Two Harbors Kayak Festival
 * Trout Fishing Little Isabella River
 * Geocashing at Split Rock State Park
 * Snow Shoeing and Dog Sledding in Grand Marais
 * Rock Climbing at Tettegouche State Park
 * Hiking the Mt Josephine Trail in Grand Portage
 * Backpacking in George H Crosby Manitou State Park