It looks like the AWD horse race will continue for a while, at least until the Snakes get hot. Games via CM at the HooverDome.
4/6 – Goofs 2, Tweeners 1. Hal removes Darvish after 4 innings in a 1-0 game. George Brett leaves MadBum in one batter too long as Alexei Ramirez hits a 2 run homer. Advantage Hal. W – Storen, S – Benoit.
4/7 – Goofs 1, Tweeners 0. 17 effin’ innings. Phillips drives in Cuddyer for the only run. W – Chavez, S – Benoit, L – Torres.
4/8 #1 – Goofs 3, Tweeners 2. Gio Gonzalez deals donuts for 8 innings, then George Brett decides to go to the pen. Dumbass. W – Street, S – Benoit, L – Rasmus.
4/8 #2 – Tweeners 3, Goofs 2. In jeopardy of dropping both ends of the doubleheader, the Tweeners battle back to tie it in the 8th on a Panda jack, and a walk-off win as Gomes drives in Lind. Asked to provide a 2-inning save in his 4th appearance in 3 days, Benoit finally wears down. Zach Duke with the win in relief of Kuma.
9/7 – Tweeners 7, Goofs 6. Nelson Cruz with a 1st inning grand slam off deGrom, but it was a battle to hang on for the win. Felix Hernandez (9-1) pitched well enough to get credit for the victory. S – Duke. Cuddyer and Cozart also homered.
9/8 – Tweeners 4, Goofs 3. Tweeners again jump ahead early, then barely hang on. 1st inning 3-run homer by the Panda. Iwakuma got relief help from Cory Rasmus who gained credit for his 1st save. Kyle Lohse(2-2) took the loss. 'I was a little good, a little bad and a little ugly.' said Iwakuma, 'I was just giving us a chance to win.'
9/9 – Goofs 2, Tweeners 0. After 6 1-run games, Goofs take the rubber game in a romp. W – Ryu, S – Benoit, L – MadBum.
Sunday, May 03, 2015
Friday, May 01, 2015
Fungoes 3, DVs 2
DVs visited WTF via computer manager. Fungoes win games 1 and 2. DVs win games 3 and 4 setting up a rubber game 5! Here are the results:
June 17:
Tanner Roark pitched 7 strong innings at WTF Field where the Fungoes
beat the DVs 6-0. John Jaso put the Fungi up to stay with a two run homerun
in the bottom of the 4th inning. Roark(2-3) got the win allowing no runs in 7 innings. Jonathan Papelbon
preserved the game for Roark, recording his his 15th save. Drew
Hutchison(3-1) was charged with the loss. Tyler Clippard went 2 and 2/3 innings in relief
for the DVs.
June 18:
Longoria homers in the 1st for the DVs but Ventura gets hit hard in the 2nd and gives way to Tyler Clippard.
Kershaw (6-3) fans 10 and picks up the win for the Fungoes. Matt Holliday commits a big 2 base error in the
2nd inning opening the flood gates for the Fungoes. Fungoes win it 9-1.
August 24:
Andrew Cashner shuts down the Fungo bats and the DVs win it 4-1. Tyler Clippard went 3 innings in relief of Cashner
for the save. Tom Koehler (1-3) takes the hard luck loss, allowing no earned runs in 7 innings.
August 25:
Hutchinson vs Roark turns into Tyler Clippard vs Roark as Hutch gets the quick hook in the 4th inning. Clippard
(who must be closing in on 88 innings by now) goes the final 5 innings picking up the win for the DVs. DVs break
open a 3-3 tie with single runs in the 6th and 7th innings and hang on to win it 5-3. Roark takes the loss for the Fungoes.
Matt holliday made another 2 base error for the DVs.
August 26:
Rick Porcello vs Kyle Gibson. Pitchers duel! Fungoes take a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning when Matt Holliday
can't find the handle on a sleepy fly ball off the bat of Freddie Galvis and turns it into a 3 base error! Bryan McCann allows
the next pitch through to the backstop scoring Galvis. Fungoes lead 1-0. Sal Perez goes deep in the 4th, Fungoes lead 2-0.
DVs load the bases in the 7th with no outs. Trevor Plouffe picks up the RBI when he walks. David Robertson pitches his way
out of any further trouble, Fungoes still lead 2-1. DVs get their first two batters on in the top of the 8th. Double play grounder
and a walk gets Jon Papelbon into the game with two out in the 8th. Paps gets the batter to finish the 8th and then gives up singles
to the first two DV hitters in the 9th. Papelbon settles down to set down the side in order after the two hits saving his 16th game of the
season. Tyler Clippard pitched again for the DVs throwing 1 2/3 innings. Clippard pitched 16 1/3 innings in the 5 game series winning 1
and saving 1 as Hal decided no one else was able to go! Matt Holliday made 2 2-base errors and 1 3-base error in the series!
Fungoes win 3 of 5 at home.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Rhino Games
Rhinos vs Zaps = 0 - 5
Rhinos vs Buckeyes = 1 - 4
Rhinos vs Nads = 3 - 4
Rhinos vs Goofs = 3 - 2
Inmates 3, Zaps 2
All games at the Baptist Bowl:
INMATES 16 – ZAPS 7: A classic softball game with offense but no defense or pitching. Rosario had two taters (including a grand salami) and seven RBI to pace the beer-swilling lumbering oafs from the Baptist Bowl.
ZAPS 4 – INMATES 3: Kluber is tough, Giles gets out of a jam in the 9th, and Joey Bats’ 2-run HR in the 7th is enough to beat the Beakless Chicken Gang.
INMATES 7 – ZAPS 4: Greinke toughed out a CG 12-hitter but gave up homers to Marte, JD Martinez, and Gattis to take the loss. Neshek gets a save in a rare effective appearance for the Inmates.
INMATES 5 – ZAPS 4 (10 innings): Pineda got bitch-slapped early by Zap bats, but Farquhar imploded in the 10th for the Zaps. Vargas’ one-out single with runners on second and third was all it took for the Inmates to steal the game.
ZAPS 13 – INMATES 2: Holy shit, Batman! Zap batters swat four taters, score 5 in both the 3rd and 7th, and generally have their way with the Inmates. Kluber spreads out ten hits in a CG effort. The Inmate pitching staff stand on the mound, drop trow, and take it up the poop-chute.
The HEAD INMATE
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Tweeners 3, Fungoes 2
Fungoes and Tweeners results at WTF
April 17:
In a game for the baseball purist, David Price(5-3) and Hisashi Iwakuma(3-1)
squared off in a tense pitching duel,the Fungoes prevailed in the end winning it 3-1.
Cruz homered for the Tweeners only run in the first inning smashing a Ball Park
homer (HR 1, Fly 2-20)! Fungoes took the lead in the bottom half of the second on
an Everth Cabrera homer (HR 1-6, Fly 7-20)! The wind was blowing out at WTF!
Trout also blasted a Homer for the Fungoes! Jonathan Papelbon recorded the save, his 11th.
April 18:
Felix Hernandez(2-0) and Clayton Kershaw(5-3) dueled it out with Hernandez and
the Tweeners came out on top by the score of 1 to 0. The game's lone run scored
in the top of the 2nd inning when Nolan Arenado got to Kershaw for a Homer. That was all
Hernandez needed. Hernandez got help from Santiago Casilla who pitched a
perfect ninth and was credited with his 6th save.
April 19:
Mike Trout slammed a homerun and had 2 RBI as the Fungoes defeated the
Tweeners 4 to 3 at WTF Field.
The winning pitcher was Kyle Gibson(2-0) who allowed 1 run in 8 and 1/3
innings. Madison Bumgarner(4-2) took the loss.
June 30:
Shortstop Zack Cozart had 3 base hits and 2 RBI as the Tweeners beat the
Fungoes by a score of 7 to 1.
The Fungoes found themselves trailing quickly as Tweener bats came through in the
first inning scoring 2 runs on 1 hit. That early run support was all that
Madison Bumgarner(5-2) required. David Price(5-4) suffered the loss. He gave up 6 runs
and 7 hits in 6 innings.
July 1:
Felix Hernandez carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning as the Tweeners
defeated the Fungoes by a score of 3 to 1 at WTF Field.
Cory Rasmus(1-0) was brilliant in relief and registered the victory. He did
not allow a baserunner in his 1 and 1/3 innings dropping his ERA from 5.40 to
4.50. The right-handed Hernandez had his no-hit bid broken up by Daniel
Murphy who singled with two outs in the 7th inning. The DEREK bats were
silent in the bottom of the 9th.
Rasmus got help from Zach Duke who earned his 2nd save. Seth Maness(1-2)
ended up with the loss in relief. He pitched 2 innings giving up 4 hits and
no walks.
Too much Tweener pitching for the Fungoes in this series! Nelson Cruz said hello to his former team with two HR!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Goofs 4, Mavs 1
The most thorough drubbing I've had in years. Outscored 57-11 in five games.
6/17 DeGrom against Matt Cain. Justin Upton hits a 1-9 ballpark tater in the bottom of the first. The Goofs counter with a double off Cain’s card. Not satisfied with that Cain takes an infield single and throws it down the right field line. Michael Morse plays a grounder into a single. Alexi Ramirez singles into center driving in the second run. Rolls his lead and Lucroy throws it into center scoring the third run. The fans make a run for Oxycontin and a beer. In the bottom of the fourth the Mavs add a run when Phillips can’t turn two and Ozuna manages a run scoring single. The Goofs manager looks around for the Oxycontin stand. Kolten Wong ties the game with a double. The Goofs manager finds the Oxycontin stand and hunts down the Jim Beam booth but Bryce Harper strikes out and Andrus pops out. 3-3 heading to the fifth. By the eighth inning both teams are into their bullpens. Unfortunately for the Mavs, Carrasco has already pitched three so they are forced to try Justin Wilson. Somehow Wilson overcomes a Kolten Wong error (the Mavs third of the game) and holds the Goofs scoreless. Meanwhile Hal leaves Houston Street in for a second straight inning. Needless to say Street shuts down the hapless Mavs. Top of the ninth. The Mavs stay with Wilson (it worked for Hal with Street). With two down, Span rolls a Ballpark single, steals second. The Mavs intentionally walk Ramirez to get to Nava hitting righthanded. 1-8 roll, double 1-2 fly (1-8 homer, double for Ramirez) and the fly ends the top of the ninth. Remarkably Hal brings in extreme backwards lefty James Russell to face Bryce Harper in the bottom of the ninth. It didn’t matter much because the real problem was Duda’s lack of range. X chart single for Harp. Elvis bunts him to second. Lucroy rolls a 1-16 one star single. Runners on the corner. The Mavs pinch hit Homer Bailey. The Goofs suspect a squeeze play. They are right and Homer Allowed Bailey delivers. Mavs win 4-3. Goofs manager looks for the morphine booth. Justin Wilson picks up the win and the Grumpy’s Bail Bonds player of the game award.
6/18 Rumored cross dresser Mashiro Tanaka takes the hill against late draft pick Jason Hammel. In Mashiro’s honor many fans come dressed as women. Of course we play our home games in San Francisco so it is really just another day at the ball park. Hammel gives up a homer, walk, double, single but only two runs thanks to Ozuna’s arm in the top of the first. Tanaka hitches up his garter and executes the shutdown inning. Meanwhile three hits ensue in the top of the second. 3-0 Goofs when the dust clears and Tanaka reapplies his makeup. The Goofs score five more in the fourth. This happens so frequently to Hammel that we can’t even remember how it happened. Marcel Ozuna hits a tater. Nava makes his second error of the series (e6 out there in right – thanks Hal) but Tanaka tightens up his bra strap and shuts the Mavs down. 8-1 in the fifth. The Mavs bring in Carlos Martinez and wonder when we’ll institute a Mercy Rule. The Goofs bring in Drew Storen to pad their save stats in the bottom of the seventh. Denard Span steals second up six runs for good measure. There will be some HBPs in the next game. The Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Player of the Game goes to Denard Span who went 3 for 5 with the aforementioned stolen base.
8/24 Lohse vs. Odorizzi The Mavs start the scoring in the second when Chris Davis scores from first with two outs on a double by Kolten Wong. Hal notes that was aggressive base running by Tad. Apparently winded by the dash around the bases, Davis throws a ball into the stands and the Goofs tie the game. The Goofs load the bases on three ball park singles but Denard Span chokes in the clutch in the top of the fourth. The Mavs put runners on the corner with no outs. Span being a frigging 1 holds the runner at third on a CF X. A second CF X results in a fly ball B. Mavs up 2-1 going to the fifth. In the top of the fifth Odorizzi gives up a single, a ballpark tater that became a single because 3 hole hitter McGehee is week and a walk and collapses in a heap on the mound. Bases loaded, nobody out. The Mavs go to their closer in the fifth inning?? It would have worked too except Elvis is a two not a one. So unable to turn two Holland hits a batter walks a couple more and the Goofs take a 4-2 lead. The Goofs tack on two insurance runs that would have been a lot more if Span weren’t weak. The Goofs score another run in the eighth on a single 1-2 lineout and the Mavs can read the writing on the wall. Time to save AB’s. The Goofs win 7-3. The Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Player of the Game goes to former Mav David DeJesus who went 3-4 with two RBI’s.
8/25 Ryu vs. Trimble Tech’s Yovanni Gallardo. The Goofs score four in the top of the first. Boy this is a lot of fun. The Goofs score another twelve in the top of the second including four straight 1-9 ball park singles. I can’t tell you how much we are enjoying this. Let’s take it batter by batter from here. Carlos Martinez holds the Goofs to a two run homer in the third. The Mavs push across a run in the bottom of the fourth averting a shutout and earning a standing ovation from the six remaining fans. In the sixth Carlos Martinez tires and the Mavs try a new strategy of tiring the Goofs out for the next game and leave Martinez in. Four more runs for the Goofs. 22-1 going to the bottom of the sixth. Up 23-1 the Goofs bring in James Russell in the bottom of the seventh. Fearing a 22 run uprising the Goofs move on to Drew Storen for the bottom of the ninth. Hal’s write up claims that the Goofs man-handled the Mavs and we note that Wong was in the lineup and wonder about the Goofs man-handling tendencies. Every Goof scored a run and drove in a run. In fact the only Goof with just a single RBI was Duda and the only one with just one run scored was DeJesus. 22 hits, 8 walks and 3 HBP’s. It could have been worse. Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Player of the Game goes to David Freese 5 for 6 with three runs scored and four RBI’s. 23-1 Goofs.
8/26 Hughes vs Hammel. The Mavs come into the finale having been outscored 43-10 in four games. The fans arrive early only because it is “Hot Pants Day” and our ballgirls are provided by Betty’s Brothel. The Goofs take, surprise, an early lead scoring two in the top of the first. The Goofs add one in the fourth and four in the fifth and the Mavs do something they almost never do. EQA. Final score 16-1 Goofs. Carlos Martinez gives up 13 hits and 8 earned runs in three innings of relief. Hughes goes nine and wins the Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Player of the Game.
Fungoes 4, Nads 3
Fungoes played home games vs Nads. All games played at WTF.
May 22:
Salvador Perez had 3 base hits as the Fungoes won a heart-stopping
victory over the Nads, 5 to 4.
The deciding run was scored in the bottom of the 9th. Perez lined a
single. Mookie Betts stepped into the batter's box and he laced a
base-knock. Betts then stole second base. After an out was recorded, the Fungoes
continued their aggressive style with another stolen base. Matt Carpenter
stepped into the box and ripped a walk-off single sending the 46,277
home-town fans home happy.
David Robertson(1-0) got credit for the victory, pitching 1 inning and
allowing no runs. Doug Fister(2-7) was charged with the loss.
May 23:
In an exciting finish the Fungoes pulled out a win over the Nads by
a score of 2 to 1 at WTF Field.
The Fungoes scored the deciding run in the 9th inning. Mike Trout drew a walk.
Trout got a good lead and stole second. After an out was recorded, Eric
Hosmer then smashed a walk-off double resulting in an exciting win for the Fungoes and a wild
post-game celebration by the home town fans.
The win was credited to David Robertson(2-0) who went 1/3 of an inning allowing no runs. Josh Collmenter(4-3) absorbed the loss.
May 24:
The Nads ended a winless drought defeating the Fungoids, 5 to 4.
In the 5th inning the Nads scored 2 runs with the help of 3 hits. The highlight
belonged to Josh Harrison who quieted the home crowd when he lined a base-hit
bringing home two baserunners.
Chris Tillman(4-2) was the winner allowing 4 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings.
Tillman got help from Tony Sipp who was credited with his 4th save. Tom
Koehler(1-1) was the loser. He was touched for 9 hits and 2 walks in 6
innings. 'It's been a rough ride lately, but this was a good win for us' said the
Nadman, 'Maybe this will put us back on track.'
May 25:
David Price went 7 and two third strong innings at WTF Field as the Fungoes shut out
the Nads winning it 2-0.
Price(4-3) was virtually untouchable. He was stingy on the mound, allowing
just 3 hits and no walks in 7 and 2/3 innings. Price racked up 9 strikeouts
lowering his ERA to 3.14. The Fungoes meanwhile scored both of their runs on suicide squeeze bunts.
Jonathan Papelbon recorded the save, his 9th. Jarred Cosart(4-4) suffered the loss. He surrendered 2 runs and 5 hits in 6 and 2/3 innings.
July 31:
One run was the difference at WTF Field as the Fungoes defeated the Nads 5 to 4.
Kyle Gibson(1-0) pitched well for the Fungi in their victory. He surrendered 6
hits and 4 walks in 6 and 2/3 innings reducing his ERA from 3.05 to 2.63.
Nads tried unsuccessfully to come back in the 9th.
Jonathan Papelbon gained credit for his 10th save. Josh Collmenter(4-4) took
the loss. He surrendered 5 runs and 11 hits in 5 and 1/3 innings.
Al Kaline was beaming after the game, 'Not only were we making good
contact, but a lot of balls we hit seemed to have 'eyes'! I just love winning these tight ones! It was just our day - no doubt about it!'
Left fielder Carl Crawford had 2 base hits and 2 RBI at WTF Field where the
Nads beat the Fungoes in 10 innings by the score of 5 to 4.
Both teams had scored 4 runs after nine full innings. The Naddies won the game in
the 10th inning. Todd Frazier ripped a base-knock. Adrian Gonzalez followed
with a double. Brian Dozier then drew a walk to load the bases. One out
later, Crawford came to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly. Miguel Montero
was the next batter, but he struck out. DAVE had 12 hits for the night.
The win went to Kevin Jepsen(1-1) who allowed no runs in 2 and 2/3 innings.
Seth Maness(1-1) was charged with the loss in relief. He gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning.
August 2:
Jarred Cosart had a strong outing at WTF Field where the Nads beat the
Fungoes by the score of 3 to 1.
DAVE scored 2 runs in the decisive top of the 5th inning with the help of 3
hits. The biggest moment was provided by Josh Harrison who quieted the home
crowd when he cleared the fences for a two-run home run. Tony Sipp was
perfect in relief and gained credit for his 5th save.
Cosart(5-4) went 7 innings allowing 1 run for the victory. Tanner Roark(0-3) took the loss. He gave up 3 runs and 6 hits in 7 and 1/3 innings.
Zaps 4, Inmates 1
Game 1- The Inmates hit and hit and hit some more. 18 hits, 10 runs, and
1 giant 10-6 ass whooping to start the series.
Game 2- The Zaps draw even with 5 home runs in game to power a 9-3 triumph.
Game 3- Kluber shuts down the Inmate bats while Pearce and Rendon drive
the Zap offense with a combined 6-3-5-4 line.
Game 4- The visitors jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the home boys chipped
away, tied the game in the 9th, and won it in the 10th, 5-4.
Game 5- Kluber cruised into the 7th with a 4-1 lead, but in the 9th the
home pen gave up four runs on three taters only to see the Zap bats win
it in the 10th on four singles for a 6-5 getaway game W.
1 giant 10-6 ass whooping to start the series.
Game 2- The Zaps draw even with 5 home runs in game to power a 9-3 triumph.
Game 3- Kluber shuts down the Inmate bats while Pearce and Rendon drive
the Zap offense with a combined 6-3-5-4 line.
Game 4- The visitors jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the home boys chipped
away, tied the game in the 9th, and won it in the 10th, 5-4.
Game 5- Kluber cruised into the 7th with a 4-1 lead, but in the 9th the
home pen gave up four runs on three taters only to see the Zap bats win
it in the 10th on four singles for a 6-5 getaway game W.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Steve Busby is losing it.
Conversation from tonight's Ranger game against the Angels after C.J. Cron pulled two straight foul balls into the Angels' dugout on the 3rd base side...
Steve Busby: Remember Keith Marshall? He was with us...
Tom Grieve: Keith Marshall?
SB: ...back in the 80s.
TG: No.
SB: Outfielder?
TG: (after a pause) My memory only goes back to about '89, '91.
SB: Right handed hitter. He cleaned out the Angel dugout on 5 consecutive foul balls one night. Just ripping the ball into the Angel dugout, and he finally got everybody to leave the dugout.
TG: That was David Hulse, wasn't it?
SB: No. Hulse was a left-handed hitter. Marshall was a right-handed hitter.
TG: Well, I don't remember that.
There's a reason why Tom doesn't remember that. It didn't happen.
The facts that Keith Marshall batted right-handed and that Hulse was a lefty were the only facts Busby got right. For one, Keith Marshall never played for the Rangers. He also never played in the 80s. According to retrosheet.org, Keith Marshall played in 8 games for the 1973 Royals... and that was it. And Grieve was right, it was Hulse who peppered the Angel dugout with several consecutive foul balls, causing everyone to leave the dugout. It's also odd that Busby would assume that the more likely guy to hit foul balls into the 3rd base dugout would be a right-handed hitter and dismiss the idea that a left-handed batter could manage it.
To be fair, the '73 KC team this Marshall guy played on featured Steve Busby as its ace. And Marshall did play a game in California against the Angels. It was only 1 plate appearance, but it was his first major league hit (half his career total), so it's possible he fouled off 5 straight pitches into the Angel dugout in that one at bat. But the more likely thing is... Busby is losing it.
Steve Busby: Remember Keith Marshall? He was with us...
Tom Grieve: Keith Marshall?
SB: ...back in the 80s.
TG: No.
SB: Outfielder?
TG: (after a pause) My memory only goes back to about '89, '91.
SB: Right handed hitter. He cleaned out the Angel dugout on 5 consecutive foul balls one night. Just ripping the ball into the Angel dugout, and he finally got everybody to leave the dugout.
TG: That was David Hulse, wasn't it?
SB: No. Hulse was a left-handed hitter. Marshall was a right-handed hitter.
TG: Well, I don't remember that.
There's a reason why Tom doesn't remember that. It didn't happen.
The facts that Keith Marshall batted right-handed and that Hulse was a lefty were the only facts Busby got right. For one, Keith Marshall never played for the Rangers. He also never played in the 80s. According to retrosheet.org, Keith Marshall played in 8 games for the 1973 Royals... and that was it. And Grieve was right, it was Hulse who peppered the Angel dugout with several consecutive foul balls, causing everyone to leave the dugout. It's also odd that Busby would assume that the more likely guy to hit foul balls into the 3rd base dugout would be a right-handed hitter and dismiss the idea that a left-handed batter could manage it.
To be fair, the '73 KC team this Marshall guy played on featured Steve Busby as its ace. And Marshall did play a game in California against the Angels. It was only 1 plate appearance, but it was his first major league hit (half his career total), so it's possible he fouled off 5 straight pitches into the Angel dugout in that one at bat. But the more likely thing is... Busby is losing it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Nads 1, Tweeners 1
Tweeners go 1-1 at Nads to end year’s series at 7-3 (Tweeners-Nads)
Aug 15 TWEENERS at The NADS - The NADS jumped on top to stay in the bottom of the 5th inning scoring one runner. Jeremy Affeldt earned the save with a perfect ninth, his 1st save. Chris Tillman(4-2) went 6 and 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs for the win. Hisashi Iwakuma(3-1) was tagged with the loss.
Auqust 16th - Nolan Arenado touched them all and had 3 RBI and Sonny Gray went
the distance at Kauffman Stadium as the TWEENERS beat the NADS by the count of 7 to 2.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
My Managing Career in the Show
I'm sitting here watching the Rangers taking on the Mariners on a Sunday afternoon. The M's are wearing their old school home uniforms today, and it prompted Tom Grieve and Steve Busby to recount Seattle names from the years when they wore these. And it reminded me of the time I set the Seattle lineup.
Stop me if you've heard this one (just kidding - I'm telling the story anyway, so shut up and read on).
It was June 1984, and I was working the best part-time job ever. I was the press box attendant, a sort of aide to Media Relations Director Burt Hawkins. I met more players and former players that summer than I have in all the rest of my life combined. Some of men I met: Don Drysdale (1984 was his HOF induction year), Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, George Brett, a naked Jim Rice (a story for another time)... Tom Grieve gave me his APBA game... I had a lengthy conversation with Cal Ripken, Jr... I had dinner with Bob Uecker... It was an amazing summer.
The bulk of my time was spent sitting in the press box watching the game with the writers (Tim Kurkjian and I exchanged trivia questions every night), but my responsibilities started several hours before game time, and one of my jobs was to go to both clubhouses and get the starting lineups for each team. I would type them up (along with the umpire rotation), make copies, and take them to all the media booths. The first drop off was to Chuck Morgan and the guys who ran the scoreboard.
For some reason, that day I mistakenly marked Al Davis as the DH and Ken Phelps at 1b. They were usually the other way around. When the information appeared on the diamond vision scoreboard, Seattle manager Del Crandall called the booth wanting to know why the two were switched. Chuck Morgan was looking at me and about to throw me under the bus when Crandall said, "Ah, you know what? Keep it that way. Davis could use a break."
So my lineup stayed. Seattle scored 10 runs in their win that night - no doubt because of the defensive change in the lineup.
Crandall never asked for my help again. It was his loss, of course, as the club didn't score double digit runs again until mid-July. In fact, they only scored double digit runs twice more before Crandall was fired at the end of August.
Alas, I started my teaching career that fall and had to give up the press box job. In later years I would work on the grounds crew for a time, and then after the Rangers moved to the new ballpark, I spent several years as the night and weekend supervisor for the call center. Those were also fun part-time jobs. And while those jobs didn't interfere with my teaching job, they also didn't give me the opportunity to set the starting lineup.
On the other hand, there was the time when Nolan Ryan insisted I be the one to prepare the bullpen mound before one of his starts. But that's another story.
Stop me if you've heard this one (just kidding - I'm telling the story anyway, so shut up and read on).
It was June 1984, and I was working the best part-time job ever. I was the press box attendant, a sort of aide to Media Relations Director Burt Hawkins. I met more players and former players that summer than I have in all the rest of my life combined. Some of men I met: Don Drysdale (1984 was his HOF induction year), Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, George Brett, a naked Jim Rice (a story for another time)... Tom Grieve gave me his APBA game... I had a lengthy conversation with Cal Ripken, Jr... I had dinner with Bob Uecker... It was an amazing summer.
The bulk of my time was spent sitting in the press box watching the game with the writers (Tim Kurkjian and I exchanged trivia questions every night), but my responsibilities started several hours before game time, and one of my jobs was to go to both clubhouses and get the starting lineups for each team. I would type them up (along with the umpire rotation), make copies, and take them to all the media booths. The first drop off was to Chuck Morgan and the guys who ran the scoreboard.
For some reason, that day I mistakenly marked Al Davis as the DH and Ken Phelps at 1b. They were usually the other way around. When the information appeared on the diamond vision scoreboard, Seattle manager Del Crandall called the booth wanting to know why the two were switched. Chuck Morgan was looking at me and about to throw me under the bus when Crandall said, "Ah, you know what? Keep it that way. Davis could use a break."
So my lineup stayed. Seattle scored 10 runs in their win that night - no doubt because of the defensive change in the lineup.
Crandall never asked for my help again. It was his loss, of course, as the club didn't score double digit runs again until mid-July. In fact, they only scored double digit runs twice more before Crandall was fired at the end of August.
Alas, I started my teaching career that fall and had to give up the press box job. In later years I would work on the grounds crew for a time, and then after the Rangers moved to the new ballpark, I spent several years as the night and weekend supervisor for the call center. Those were also fun part-time jobs. And while those jobs didn't interfere with my teaching job, they also didn't give me the opportunity to set the starting lineup.
On the other hand, there was the time when Nolan Ryan insisted I be the one to prepare the bullpen mound before one of his starts. But that's another story.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Killer Bees 5, Mavs 0
Somehow we have won 8 straight games, I think I need to go to Vegas. Bees take all 5 at the Hive.
Killer Bees 3, Buckeyes 2
Bees take 3 of 5 vs Buckeyes
4/28 Bees 4 Buckeyes 3
4/29 Bees 6 Buskeyes 5
4/30 Buckeyes 7 Bees 5 (10 innings)
7/11 Buckeyes 8 Bees 6
7/12 Bees 7 Buckeyes 3
Killer Bees 4, Buckeyes 1
Games at the BeeHive.
The Buckeyes continue their quest of 100 losses before the end of May.
The Buckeyes continue their quest of 100 losses before the end of May.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Warpigs 4, DVs 0
The DVs and Warpigs netplayed 4 games tonight. All 4 games were played at DV Park by Viagra.
Gm1 - Pigs win 4-2. The DVs led 2-1 going to the 8th. With a lefty on to relieve Rick Porcello, Jake Smolinksi was called on for the first time this year (or ever). He singled. A righty came on and Lance Lynn pinch hit to bunt the pinch runner over. But all the pinch bunting and pinch running was made moot when Victor Martinez drove a pitch over the wall and into the pool beyond center field. Joe Smith saved the game for Adam Wainwright (10-1).
Gm2 - Pigs win 3-2 in 10 innings. The DV starting pitching (Hutchison this time) again stifled the Pig bats. And again, the DV bullpen came on to rectify that. A.J. Pollock tripled and Robby Cano and Jayson Werth both doubled to start the 8th inning to give the Pigs a 2-1 lead. A homer by Wilson Ramos in the bottom of the 9th tied the game, but VMart homered in the 10th for the deciding run. Darren O'Day got the last 3 outs for the save.
Gm3 - Pigs win 7-2. Lorenzo Cain, Robinson Cano, and Adrian Beltre each had 3 hits, and Jayson Werth walked 4 times. Cain and Yadier Molina hit back-to-back homers in the 9th to break open a close game. Lance Lynn (6-1) went 5.1 for the win, and Pedro Strop earned the save. It could have been much worse, but Troy Tulowitzki stranded 10 runners.
Gm4 - Pigs win 14-3. Jose Fernandez (4-1) went the distance in the second half of the twin bill at DV Park by Viagra. Five different Pigs homered as part of a 19-hit attack. Said DV manager Todd Helton, "Seriously, if it wasn't for the free samples given out by our ballpark's sponsor, I wouldn'ta enjoyed this at all."
Gm1 - Pigs win 4-2. The DVs led 2-1 going to the 8th. With a lefty on to relieve Rick Porcello, Jake Smolinksi was called on for the first time this year (or ever). He singled. A righty came on and Lance Lynn pinch hit to bunt the pinch runner over. But all the pinch bunting and pinch running was made moot when Victor Martinez drove a pitch over the wall and into the pool beyond center field. Joe Smith saved the game for Adam Wainwright (10-1).
Gm2 - Pigs win 3-2 in 10 innings. The DV starting pitching (Hutchison this time) again stifled the Pig bats. And again, the DV bullpen came on to rectify that. A.J. Pollock tripled and Robby Cano and Jayson Werth both doubled to start the 8th inning to give the Pigs a 2-1 lead. A homer by Wilson Ramos in the bottom of the 9th tied the game, but VMart homered in the 10th for the deciding run. Darren O'Day got the last 3 outs for the save.
Gm3 - Pigs win 7-2. Lorenzo Cain, Robinson Cano, and Adrian Beltre each had 3 hits, and Jayson Werth walked 4 times. Cain and Yadier Molina hit back-to-back homers in the 9th to break open a close game. Lance Lynn (6-1) went 5.1 for the win, and Pedro Strop earned the save. It could have been much worse, but Troy Tulowitzki stranded 10 runners.
Gm4 - Pigs win 14-3. Jose Fernandez (4-1) went the distance in the second half of the twin bill at DV Park by Viagra. Five different Pigs homered as part of a 19-hit attack. Said DV manager Todd Helton, "Seriously, if it wasn't for the free samples given out by our ballpark's sponsor, I wouldn'ta enjoyed this at all."
Drillers 3, Goofs 2
Driller Win a Tweener split with the Goofs 3 to 2
4/28 Scott Kazmir had a complete game and Jose Abreu had 5 hits and 2 RBI at
Driller Park as the SHAWN DRILLERS beat the PHIL -SG SUPER GOOFS 7 to
1.
4/29 Designated hitter Angel Pagan had 4 hits and 2 RBI at Driller Park where the
PHIL -SG SUPER GOOFS beat the SHAWN DRILLERS by the score of 4 to 0.
4/30 The SHAWN DRILLERS tallied 5 runs in the 5th inning and had very little
trouble at Driller Park downing the PHIL -SG SUPER GOOFS. The score was 6 to
1.
7/11 Center fielder Denard Span had 4 hits at Driller Park where the PHIL -SG SUPER
GOOFS beat the SHAWN DRILLERS by the score of 6 to 3.
7/12 Zack Wheeler tossed a complete game as the SHAWN DRILLERS bested the PHIL -SG
SUPER GOOFS 7 to 1 at Driller Park.
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