If you don’t remember, let me give you a refresher.
Flash back to August 5th 2009, the “Dead Man Walking” BLOG is posted. I just reread it. Whoever wrote that did a pretty good job, it still stands up.
Anyway, in case you don't feel like reading it again, the gist is that Tito “Fonzie” Presenza had about enough of a brash (and maybe a bit of a loud mouth) rookie and The Fonz bravely predicted that he would strike him out.
He's rookie, of course I struck him out
ayyyyyy.....
Flash forward to August 17th 2010. The rematch, a year and four days later. There is no repeat of the strikeout. The rookie, now a sophomore, has left the incident behind, leads his team in OBA, Hit By Pitches, RBIs, and sarcastic one liners.
The BLOG: Well, it’s the 10 year anniversary of ‘the strikeout’ game, any memories come to mind?
Doug Dwyer: Man, it was so LONG ago, so much has happened. But, I think the thing I remember the most is how many people were there to watch me humiliate myself.
The BLOG: Really?
Doug Dwyer: Honestly! We played the early game that day and I swear that both teams playing the late game were there for the first pitch of our game plus there were scattered players from around the league. It felt like there were 400 hundred people there but there were probably around 40-50. That was a lot for our league back then before we had the concession stands and the ushers.
Keogh Park after the 2016 renovations
The BLOG: Were you feeling the pressure?
Doug Dwyer: Looking back on it? Sure, probably a little. But I was a rookie. I probably had higher expectations of myself than I should have.
The BLOG: Well a lot has changed for you in the past 10 years!
Doug Dwyer: Yeah, but I’m still the same guy.
Doug Dwyer: Well, I mean sure, my wrists are stronger, but I’m still principally the same guy. The thing with batting titles is that you really can't do it without significant help from your teammates.
The BLOG: Seriously? How exactly does that work?
Doug Dwyer: Well. Okay. Your teammates really have nothing to do with it. I was just trying to be nice.
The BLOG: Hmmm. Same old guy, huh? Do any of your batting titles stand out?
Doug Dwyer: Well, you always remember your first, but I’ll admit I was a little lucky with that one. I would have to say the 5th one was my most complete season. That was back when the league only had 20 teams, can you imagine that? Let’s see, in 38 games I was 185/192 (.964) which had me 123 point ahead of Farah who finished second.
The BLOG: That’s Rob Farah, right?
Doug Dwyer: No Chris Farah. Plus that year I hit 31 home runs setting the single season and career marks for both Coventry and Keogh parks. They even renamed the left field fence (where the bleachers are now) to Dwyer’s Domain. Apparently the lettering guy at the town said that it was an easy change from “Doyle’s Domain” to “Dwyer’s Domain”.
The BLOG: You know, I usually do my home work on this stuff and I SWEAR I saw a sign out there last week that still said Doyle’s Domain.
Doug Dwyer: Oh it’s not done yet.
The BLOG: But it’s been YEARS! Didn't they say it was 'easy' change?
Doug Dwyer: Oh sure, it’s easy enough. But these things take time. It’s on the town's list of things to do. In fact I heard that they’re going to do it right after they fix the center field lights.
The BLOG: So they’re ‘fast tracking’ the work then.
Doug Dwyer: Apparently. But with the way Greg Tracey runs the town now a days, you never really know for sure.
The BLOG: So what other highlights do you have over the past 10 years.
Doug Dwyer: Gawd. What to pick? The all star teams maybe? It’s always fun beating the kids. The HTKP home run contest, although it’s not really much of a contest, but its fun and the fans love it! And I guess all the championships.
The BLOG: It has certainly been a good run.
Doug Dwyer: It has been and I owe it all to Fonzie.
The BLOG: How’s that?
Doug Dwyer: Well, the day he stuck me out, I could have walked away with my tail between my legs or I could have said “that will never happen again!” I chose to say “never again!”
The BLOG: Well then, have you ever thanked Tito?
Doug Dwyer: No we kind of lost track after the 4 year anniversary autograph signing in 2013. Personally I don’t think he took my success so well.
The BLOG: In what way?
Doug Dwyer: He lost a lot of weight, quit drinking alcohol, switched to only coffee.
The BLOG: That doesn’t sound so bad. What’s the matter with a reasonably healthy lifestyle?
Doug Dwyer: He also quit the Beeton debating club!
The BLOG: I had no idea it went so deep! What is he doing now?
Doug Dwyer: I thought I heard he was taking courses to be a minister or something?
The BLOG: Fonzie is Clergy?
Doug Dwyer: Apparently Fonzie is happy Clergy.
The BLOG: Hmmm. Fonzie is coffee drinking happy Clergy.
Doug Dwyer: That’s probably enough.
The BLOG: Okay, one last question though if I may. Now that so much time has passed, how do you celebrate your turning point, “the strikeout game”?
Doug Dwyer: That’s easy. Every other year I strike out on purpose during the game that takes place closest to August 13th. It keeps me grounded.
The BLOG: Some people still say that’s what you did back in 2009 against Tito. I mean the "on purpose" part.
Doug Dwyer: People are entitled to their opinions.
The BLOG: So did you? Its 10 years now. Some people are of the belief that you faked the strike out as a ridiculous ploy to get readership for that old school BLOG that you used to run. Will you definitively answer the question once and for all...Did you strike out on purpose?
Doug Dwyer: Find The Batman, then you’ll find your answers.
THE SPEECH
Sometimes Rob's sense of humour just hurts.
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back that pitch I swung at
and hit it to right someway
I'd take back that pitch I swung at
and hit it to right someway
I don't know why I swung at the ball I did
I don't know why you threw the pitch you did
I don't know why you threw the pitch you did
Pride's like a knife it can cut deep inside
Pitches are weapons and they wound sometimes.
I didn't really mean to miss it
I didn't wanna see it go by
I know you barely even tried, but Fonzie
I didn't wanna see it go by
I know you barely even tried, but Fonzie
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back that pitch I'd swung at
And hit it to right someway
Then I would have been a star
And I'd owe it all to you
Then you'd still pitch short to me
Like you used to do
If I could turn back time
My world was shattered I was torn apart
Like someone took a knife and drove it deep in my heart
You tossed it up and in and I swore that I didn't care
But I lost everything when I swung and just got air
Too strong to tell you I was sick that day
Too proud to tell you I was in a coma before the game
I know that I was blind, and ooh...
[Chorus] If I could turn back time
If I could turn back time
If I could turn back time
I didn't really mean to miss it
I didn't want to see it go by
I know you barely even tried, but Fonzie
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back that pitch I swung through
If I would have been a star
And I'd owe it all to you
Then you'd still pitch it short to me
Like you used to do
If I could turn back time (turn back time)
If I could find a way (find a way)
Then Fonzie, maybe, maybe
You'd Play
THE GAME
The Wild...blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...
The Grisslies...blah...blah...blah...blah....blah....
We lost. I think it was 7-4. It was a good defensive game (apparently)
The Wild...blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...
The Grisslies...blah...blah...blah...blah....blah....
Ummmm. Did I mention we lost? Yeah, no one really cared.
Why?
Because it was the Grisslie party night!!! This is the night that all the Grisslies get together and celebrate a great season. At this point of the year its still exhibition so its all good news! And the lads celebrated very well indeed!
Larry, Curly & Moe are riveted by the latest
tale of intrigue from Danny
Completely unexpectedly, Rob McCarron dropped
by and bought a pitcher of beer for the Grisslies
in exchange for a "mention" in The Blog.
Fortunately I was able to find a picture!!!
The "Grisslie Awards" were handed out for the second
consecutive year.
Award Winners
- The "clean language in front of kids award" - Danny Chiasson
- The "very nearly awake award" - Brett Mabee
- The "Hang 10 - pool party shorts award" - Cal Steeves
- The "running up Piero's A** award" - Kevin Boston
- The "super spy versatility award" - Simon Smith
- The "Ingo Bartens award" - Ingo Bartens
- The "John Deere Award" - Tim Osmond.
- The "Cy Young and Attendance award" - Rob Farah
- The "MVP / Sand Angels award" - Piero Del Greco
- The "Anger Management PHD award" - Dave Argue
- The "Fan Support / Fan Attendance Award" - Sue Farah
- The "You actually kind of scare me award" - Bev Steeves
- The "This could have been yours award" - Michelle Farah.
The evening was topped off with a celebration marking Rob Farah's 350th game as a Grisslie. Way to go Robbie! The good news is that there are only 1780 left to catch Cal Ripken!!!
Awww....that's one happy Grisslie!!!
9 comments:
Great job Grisslies. We're turning the corner so look out teams!
I cant help but notice that this is the second year in a row that Doug Dwyer has failed to win an award.He must of done something well!!
I think we need some suggestions?????
As an observer from afar who is in NO WAY related to or afiliated with the Grisslies, Mr. Dwyer:
o has had an error free season at short stop.
o Is really good looking.
o Lead the team in singles.
o Is so fast that he can turn off the light switch and get into bed before the room gets dark.
Just some suggestions...
Doug.
That Last post was NOT POSTED by Doug. It was posted by me. I am Not Doug. I repeat, I AM NOT DOUG.
Doug would NEVER do something like that....its very low class.
Doug
Dammit.
True, Doug didn't make an error at short. Last nights catch was amazzzzzing. The way he tip toed to catch that fly ball reminded me of 'Tiny Tim'. If Dougie can do it....bring on Pierooooooooo............
I can't believe no one commented on Cals catch last night. That may have been the play of the season......for the whole league.
Interestingly...this might not have even been Cal's best catch of the year. Although it was fabulous, he made one even slightly more amazing playing left field at C2 a few weeks ago. The truth is that this play is kinda of common place on the Grisslies now. Sadly it didn't even with the Catch of Year Award (now called the Ingo Barten's Award) which was won, ironically, by Ingofische.
From the 'Did you know' file:
"Bell Canada has all of their hallways painted with dotted lines down the middle (like the lanes of Hwy 400) so that those coming in late don't bump into those leaving early...........
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