PLAYOFFS - Day 2

POLL
Yes, it was me that wore his hat in the freakin' Legion.  Damit!  After two years, I finally managed that screw up.  Idiot!  Cost me two jugs.



INTRO

Yeah, not really an intro again, just musings.  I started getting ready for the Day 2 BLOG about 5 minutes after posting the Day 1 edition. 

So a couple of things that may or may not be of moderate interest to you.  As I sat down Tuesday night to watch the season premier of Glee (yes, I did and I don't care who knows), I sat comfortably knowing that people were going to fire me off reports of the 4 games going on.  I gotta tell you it was pretty cool.  It felt like being a newspaper editor.  Anyway, not a big deal, but I thought it was neat.  By the way, the Glee club did Empire State of Mind last night which I (sorry, Rob) covered in the Tottenham State of Mind BLOG, personally I think our version was better, but that's me. 

The other thing of interest is that as soon as I published the Day 1 edition I started to get really nervous knowing that we, The Grisslies, would be one of the four teams reported on in the Day 2 chapter.  We need to do what the Brew Jays did and beat a team that we haven't gotten by yet.  Time will tell!

So yesterday I gave you a list a the top 25 hitters (OBA of course) over the last two years.  Today's little statistical story is a twist on the same topic.  Today we look at the top 25 increases in average from last year to this year.  What I like about this list (besides the fact that I'm on it) is that it recognizes some people that aren't the 1, 2 and 3 ranked players in the league (although there are some) but those who contribute just as much effort and are working hard to improve!   Here's the list:

So I think everyone would have to agree that Mike Olliffe's +200 point increase in OBA is teetering on ridiculous!!  What a great year!  Follow that up with the fact that 5 of the top 9 are from the Hurtin' Units and that they all saw an increase of 100 points or more and you're starting to see the "perfect storm".  It kind of puts their year into perspective.  Poor Jen's gained 75 points and he's almost an after thought on that team!  While everyone is worthy of a mention, I personally am quite proud of Piero Del Greco's 79 point increase!  Stats don't always tell the story and I'd be willing to bet that he ranked with our best players in terms of 'meaningful' hits.  Guess that's why he's the clean up hitter! 

THE GAMES

Dusty Cleats 16 Vs. Dislocated Joints 8

BUNDI:  

A watched pot boils (you just have to wait 27 games)!

A frog’s ass is NOT water tight (every one passes gas)!

And the exhibition season is over!

The Dusty Cleats pulled off an upset over the Dislocated Joints with a 16-8 win due to timely hitting and solid defense….a rarity for the Cleats.

The first 2 innings were very close, with the score tied at 2 going into the third. The Cleats ran up seven in the third with big hits from “Shoeless” Rob and Curtis “The Silver Fox” to max out the seven runs.

Both teams chipped away for the next two innings until Scott “Anger Management Peters “ bookend ended the 6th inning with a 3 run shot that went yard in the top half and an inning ending double play (assisted by “big hops” J.T.) in the bottom half.

The Joints were missing Ricky C., but they still hit the ball well but just missed the gaps.

The game difference was that the Cleats did not beat the Cleats and played some pretty good D ball.
Final score 16-8 Dusty Cleats!

EDITOR:  
Who wasn't quietly cheering for the Cleats?  It wouldn't have mattered who the opponent was, but no one likes to see a team take a prolonged beating.  Congrats!!!  The Joints are still okay with another home game left.  The schedule gets really tough after that though.
Grisslies 21 Vs. Dog Catchers 8

KAREN TURNER: 
It's painfully obvious to the Dog Catchers that you can't win a game when you only score in the first 3 innings, while you hold your opponent scoreless in ONLY one....'nuff said. 

Highlights were Jake's hitting & 2 foul-out catches at home, Bones' making 2 great snags at 1st base, Jim's play at third & the Grisslies Doug & Dave making a very impressive double play in the 4th inning, as well as the Grisslies' over-all hitting throughout the whole game....

Lowlight, well, that would have be Brett's hit over Murray's head, which brings to mind "Love to Hear You Lie, by Eminem f Rihanna...."Just gonna stand there, getting burned, that's alright, you should've already learned...Just gonna stand there & hear Randy cry, that's alright, cuz he's still watching that ball fly...."

P.S. Good thing there was a jello-shooter cake for Randy for his birthday (photographic evidence attached) for him & his team to drown their sorrows in.....ah, never mind, bring on Friday!!!

EDITOR: 

Pictures?  Quoting Eminem and relating it to baseball?  Are you kidding me?  The good ones are always spoken for.  THIS IS STELLAR STUFF!!!  From the Grisslie perspective, we had heard the rumours that Bob McCullough wasn't going to play and truthfully it was a gutty performance.  Not that he struggled, but was quite obviously hurting.  Hats off!  As usual, the Catchers were as good as sports in defeat as they were in when they beat us.  Still looking for big things from these guys!

Red Dogs 15 Vs. Lucky Stiffs 23

ANDY GEE:   
The Red Dogs took on the Lucky Stiffs under a full moon and showed the Stiffs what experience can do and kept the game close.

The Red Dogs, short a few of there regulars, hit the ball well into the gaps forcing the Stiffs to play smart baseball. The Red Dogs scored well and often on some timely hitting by Matt Foerster, Bob Pearce and Jim Bear Wyatt but the Stiffs were not to be taken lightly.

Late in the game Al Johnson triples, Cameron Clark gets an assisted HR and Phil Glecoff homers over the fence. The Stiffs scored going away late in the game and it was too much for the Dogs to over come. Final score Lucky Stiffs 23-15 Red Dogs.

EDITOR:  
The Stiffs are back on the beam!  They were one of my picks for a bye and my picks haven't been doing so good!  The Stiffs, like the Brew Jays and Units have their toughest games out of the way.  No time to coast, but their in good shape. 

Dodge City Rounders 22 Vs. Hurtin' Units 11

PAUL GYORI: 
It was a gorgeous night for baseball and another tough game for The Units. We got smoked again by a hard hitting Dodge City Rounders club.

We just haven't been on our game, perhaps just squeezing that bat a little too tight knowing that everyone guns for the top team.  Kevin Moon had a ton of balls hit his way for pretty easy outs to first, he also cranked a couple of balls hard into the outfield. 

Even though the last two game have been routs our spirits are still pretty high.

EDITOR:  
Hmmmm, there always seems to be a full Moon in September!  Didn't we see this last year?Day 2 was clearly upset day in the playoffs with 3 underdogs winning.  Well done Dodge City Rounders!  The Rounders have maintained a positive attitude all year and it paid off tonight in spades.  Is it okay to feel sorry for a team that finished 1st overall in the league?  The Units still have winnable games, but have to find that magic they had for the last 4 months.  Slow and steady wins the race.

STANDINGS

(THIS INCLUDES ALL GAMES FROM DAY ONE AND DAY TWO)