Magic Vs. Bird; Ali Vs. Foreman; McEnroe Vs. Borg; McGwire Vs. Sosa.
Bird, “chicks dig my shorts”. .The point is this; the ‘one for the ages’ moments can’t be predicted, they just happen. Sometimes what looks like a good match up falls flat. Sometimes a seemingly meaningless game can be epic. Last night’s Grisslie’s Vs Wild was one that will be talked about in baseball circles for a long time. In fact, this could be a local legend within days.
Coming into the game the Wild had won 10 of 11 games. Sure, they were a little cocky, but why not? Their only loss was to the last place team in the league which was widely regarded as a bit of fluke. The Grisslies on the other hand were winners of 8 in a row (4 league games and 4 ‘friendlies’) and were equally hot.
Overheard in the players lounge (the Legion) last week, the wild were described as having “million dollar arms and 5 cent heads”. While that may be a tad harsh, they are young, brash bashers who win with their sticks while the Grisslies were a team that is older, slower, nearly devoid of power but may have the highest baseball IQ in the league. (according to one league insider)
Rob Farah, delivering pre game speech.In Rob Farah’s pre game speech to the team he quoted Shakespeare as he often does, 'some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them' .
The team seemed to respond well to this speech. This was a huge upgrade from an early season speech that started, “As I said many times before, I never, ever, repeat myself” That particular speech seemed to leave the team confused and it impacted their bats for weeks.
Back to the game.
The Grisslies took the field first and it looked like a good start. Farah got 2 of the first 4 batters before an equipment problem forced him out of the game momentarily. “The rookie” completely unprepared came in to back up Farah and promptly served up a wind aided triple scoring 2 runs. Fortunately for the Gris, the equipment problem was magically repaired and Farah finished the frame without any further damage. The Wild would only get one additional run before the 7th inning.
In the Grisslies 1st at bat four of the first five batters reached. The Gris went on to score the maximum runs for the inning.
Its not that the game was over after the 1st inning, but the tone had been set. The Grisslies did what has become typical for them, they had one big inning and a bunch of little ones for 13 runs. The Grisslies were momentarily confused in the 6th inning when there was a bit of commotion on the Wild’s bench. There seemed to be some choreographed activities that soon became clear. The Wild executed a perfectly timed ‘rain dance’ causing the skys to open for their at bat in the 7th.
Mark Doyle, “sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains”.
The 7th inning was a bit of an adventure. Doyle’s “supposedly” errant throw took out Dave ‘heart & soul’ McGovern, the Grisslies starting short stop. That, combined with torrential downpour in the 7th seemed to rattle the Grisslies.
Farah stayed consistent in the strike zone, but the defense abandoned him momentarily to the tune of four runs.
There were some quality moments throughout the game, not the least of which was Billy Clouthier’s snag at third off of Doyle’s bat and his off balance throw to nip him by a step at 1st.
The 7th inning was a bit of an adventure. Doyle’s “supposedly” errant throw took out Dave ‘heart & soul’ McGovern, the Grisslies starting short stop. That, combined with torrential downpour in the 7th seemed to rattle the Grisslies.
Farah stayed consistent in the strike zone, but the defense abandoned him momentarily to the tune of four runs.
There were some quality moments throughout the game, not the least of which was Billy Clouthier’s snag at third off of Doyle’s bat and his off balance throw to nip him by a step at 1st.
Clouthier, “that’s nothing, you should see me after a few shooters!”INJURY REPORT:
Ingo: None
Billy: Back
Dwyer: Head (may be more related to closing the Legion than it is to baseball)
Farah: feet
John: Knees (does not impact golfing)
Dan: None
McCarron: None
Dave: Hand
Results of emergency MRI on Dave McGovernJim: Back (did not impact recent guest appearance on dancing with the stars)
Cliff: Suspended 3 weeks due to a drug violation. Cliff Stacey, “I thought they said legal substance, not illegal substance. They were talking in English but I was listening in Newfie!”
Steve: None
Doris: Arm, finger, shoulder, lower back, middle back, upper back, ass, hamstring, calf, left knee, ankle, other shoulder, ear lobe, groin, hair (should be able to avoid the DL as this is healthier than normal).
Said Doris, "I feel my range coming back, I’m almost pain free!”
The Grisslies hot streak finds them moving from dead last in the league with the most games played; to 10th place and tied for the fewest games played. As of today’s updated standings they are 2 points away from 4th place. The Wild on the other hand have moved from “running away with it” one short week ago; to a 3 way tie for 1st place. Stay tuned for an epic finish!
The Grisslies hot streak finds them moving from dead last in the league with the most games played; to 10th place and tied for the fewest games played. As of today’s updated standings they are 2 points away from 4th place. The Wild on the other hand have moved from “running away with it” one short week ago; to a 3 way tie for 1st place. Stay tuned for an epic finish!
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