GAME 4 – I Got A New Glove

The Intro

We have two games this week. Because of that I had a somewhat shorter BLOG “in the can” and ready to go for Monday’s game. It was kind of funny, although it probably would have pissed off Brett a bit. But you know Brett. Truthfully, I’ve got a lot going on right now with my work life, personal life, maintaining multiple homes, baseball, the BLOG and my new Home Improvement show that’s starting soon on the LIFE network. I just wanted a little no-brainer BLOG for this week.

Then, the wheels came off.

So, I believe in God, but I wouldn’t consider myself a particularly religious man. However, this past Friday night I was visited by an angel. Yeah, don’t worry, I’m not going to go all “loaves and fishes” on you. I’m not trying to talk anyone into anything; I’m just saying what happened to me. If it helps you, that’s great. If it doesn’t, then it cost you nothing.

So Friday night, I’m on the Farah’s driveway swigging back a few wobbly pops. I can hear special guest Murry Saunders in my ear talking about potatoes and then everything around me goes kind of hazy. I couldn’t focus visually on anything except that tunnel of perfect clarity that was in front me. I started walking toward the tunnel…I sensed it was leading me to the back yard, but I couldn’t say for sure. Then, a silhouette appeared in the middle of the tunnel. I couldn’t make out any features, but it was definitely the outline of an angel. That much I knew. Oh, and the angel was wearing a baseball hat. The angel had a voice that was sort of detached from its body. I know its mouth wasn’t moving, but I could hear the words in my head.

Angel: “A wise man knows that he is weakest…when he thinks himself strong”.


Me: “That’s deep. How come you’re glowing?”


Angel: “You are not ready to face a great opponent until you have vanquished the opponent

within yourself”.


Me: “That’s clever…why are you handing me that baseball glove? Should I use it?”


Angel: “To learn my teachings, I must first teach you – how to learn”.


Me: “That’s interesting how you do that, really. But about the glove…”


Angel: “He who questions training, only trains himself to ask questions”.


Me: “Okay, I think I’m following, but seriously the glove..”


Angel: “When you feel good about what’s on the outside; you will feel good about the inside”.


Me: “So….I should use the glove?”


Angel: “To use your power in the conflict ahead; you must first have power over that which conflicts you”.


Me: “Yeah…you may have lost me on that one. So, I’m conflicted by my defense? The new glove is the answer? You’re killing me here!”


Angel: “If you don’t master your frustration…”.


Me: “What? Then frustration will be my master??? Yeah, I’m TOTALLY getting this now! Its pretty formulaic.”


Angel: “If you doubt your lesson; it will not lessen the doubt”.


Then ***BAM***, the blurriness goes away as does the tunnel of clarity and the silhouetted angel in the baseball cap.



What DOESN’T go away is the glove that I’m holding.


I was like I was holding the Holy Grail. Well, if the Holy Grail was made of the most supple, padded, comfortable, form fitting calves leather known to man. Another man may have begrudged a calf being used for this artistry. I, on the other hand, thanked God for making cows that in turn made thousands of generations of calves until the perfect one was born to make THIS glove.


Yes, he moves in mysterious ways.

The Pre-Game


I’ve never done a BLOG that’s ‘all about me’; but neither have I ever been visited by an angel. So…cut me a little slack on this one. Click the song title for music as usual & apologies in advance to Huey Lewis and the News.

I Got A New Glove

I got a new glove,
One that won't make me sick
One that won't make me drop fly balls
Or make me catch, worse than a hick

I got a new glove
One that won't hurt my head
One that pulls line drives from the sky
And brings my game back from the dead

One that won't make me nervous
Wondering what to do
One that scoops up sinking liners from the tops of shoes
Yeah, from the tops of shoes

I got a new glove
One that came from an angel
One that will work in the clutch
And never cause me ill

I got a new glove One that won't go away
One that won't keep me up all night
Wondering how I failed to make the play

One that won't make me nervous
Wondering what to do
One that scoops up sinking liners from the tops of shoes
Yeah, from the tops of shoes

I got a new glove
One that does what it should
One that won't make me feel too bad
One that will always make me feel so good

I got a new glove
One with no doubt
One that won't make me miss too much
Or make my face wear a pout

One that won't make me Nervous
Wondering what to do
One that scooops up sinking liners from the tops of shoes
Yeah...from the tops of shoes.

The Game

Winning DOES NOT suck!!!

The Grisslies scored six in the 1st inning and never looked back. Everyone contributed at the plate with Brett, Piero and Cal all having perfect nights at the plate. Our worst hitting performance of the night was 2/4. We were clicking big time!

Defensively, this felt a lot more like Grisslie ball. We had a few “coulda-shoulda-woulda” moments, but for the most part it was solid. There are some questions about Tim “don’t call me Donny” Osmond as he spent an inordinate amount of time on his back in the outfield.

Tim on the Right (no left) (no right) (nevermind)

My new glove seemed to give the entire team a new found confidence. They responded well and came off of 3 consecutive losses like the troopers they are! Next up will be the Dusty Cleats on Thursday. Although the Cleats are 0-2, their run differential is only 2. They’ve lost two one run games. Now that’s tough! They’ll be loaded for bear and ready for us.
See you all again on Friday morn