GAME 1: Randy Rose Is A Thorn

INTRO

It’s rare that other captains will consent to be interviewed on the BLOG. Especially on a game day!  But let’s face it, we’re early in the year and other than Sallustio's foray into the ancient arts, the real juicy stories haven’t started to develop yet. I know that eventually I'll be able to count on certain things occurring over the year; Scott Peter’s being benched after yelling at umpire, Mark Doyle hitting into 4-6-3 double plays, Danny Chiasson scorching doubles to the left - center gap, Starsky and Hutch trying to down play their 14-1 start. But until those things start happening with consistency, I need to reach out and ‘ask’ for stories.

Happily, The Grisslie’s Game 1 (game 4 is actually Game 1 due to a rain out) opponent, Frank Laird complied. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

BLOG: Hi Frank and thanks again for taking the time to meet with me and particularly on a game day.  Believe me, I understand how precious your time is; with line up cards, reviewing ground rules, the press, it just doesn't stop does it?
FRANK:  No it really doesn't, but that's part of the fun for me.  And there is no problem doing this, you are most welcome. Anything for the league.

BLOG: Well, just to be clear, this isn’t exactly “league sanctioned”, its more “league tolerated”, and not necessarily widely league tolerated at that.
FRANK: Oh, that’s okay. Any friend of Bucky is a friend of mine.

BLOG: Interesting. I never knew Bucky. But I understand he did some great things for the league.
FRANK: Oh he sure did.

BLOG: Maybe we should just move on.  So how do you feel about the draft this year?
FRANK: In fairness, I would have to say it was one of our better ones.  We really got lucky. 

BLOG:  Excellent!  On a scale of 1-10 what would you rate it?
FRANK:  I think I would say its a strong "8", maybe even a little higher.  We did very well.
 
BLOG:  Hey, that's a pretty high rating.  Anything in particular jump out at you?
FRANK:  It just looks like a really balanced team to me.  Good combination of speed, defense and offense.  The outfield looks very good.  Horgan might even be as fast as Peters so nothings going to get in the gaps against us.  Roche has owned 3rd base the last couple of years and Simon has proven that he's versatile defensively.  He gives options in the infield or outfield and he's not afraid to get dirty.  I like the looks of our rookie Esau, he looks strong and fit, Anicette is still swinging great and has real pop in his bat this year; Tony has improved and his knee has healed and Richards and Harley both play best when you need them most, very dependable players.

BLOG:  That's a really nice break down.
FRANK:  Thanks.

BLOG:  But you forgot a guy.
FRANK:  I didn't forget him, I just wanted to keep this interview positive.
 
BLOG:  Ouch!  You know - that guy you 'forgot' was someone we were kind of hoping to get for the Grisslies this year.
FRANK:  Yeah, I wanted you to get him too.  Too bad we don't do trades, huh? 

BLOG:  Not nice Frank!
FRANK:  Well come on, the guy has baggage.

BLOG:  Frank!  Not a nice thing to say at all!!!  He doesn't have baggage, he's a hell of a nice guy.
FRANK:  Oh, not THAT kind of baggage.  I meant that he has this yellow and blue paisley bag that he carries his glove in.  It drives all the other guys on the team crazy!

BLOG:  Oh, I wasn't aware of that.
FRANK:  And then there's the whole "transformers" thing.

BLOG:  Ok, now I have no idea what you're talking about.
FRANK:  You know the transformers movie?

BLOG:  Yeah, sure
FRANK:  Well this guy was calling me EVERY DAY after the draft with some question or analysis the movie.  Stuff like, "Do you think that Optimus Prime could beat up Chuck Norris?"

BLOG:  Come on, you're not serious?
FRANK:  EVERY DAY!  Its always something.  "Do you think the transformers are a metaphor for god?"  "If god created man and man created transformers, then aren't transformers god like?"  "Do you think I'm more than meets the eye?"

BLOG:  I had no idea all this was going on!   So what do you tell him?
FRANK:  I told him that they're not god like at all.  I told him that they were devil spawn.   

BLOG:  So did he stop about transformers?
FRANK:  Oh sure he did, after he stopped bawling.  But then he moved right on to Star Wars!

BLOG:  Oh man, I'm really sorry to hear this Frank.  I honestly hadn't heard a thing about this.  Its gotta be tough having to deal with this guy.
FRANK:  Tough?  you don't know the half of it. He now insists that I call him "young Padawan" because he's in supposedly in "training."
 
BLOG:  Okay that's messed up. 
FRANK:  You think that's messed up?   This guy spent 3 hours in the legion arguing over who shot first, Han or Greedo.  He refers to The Wild as The Sith and he's calling Tony and Ed Lord Vader and The Emperor. I'd say we passed messed up a while ago.  We had a practice on the weekend and I asked him to throw me the ball.  He waves his hand in front of me and says, "this is not the spheroid you're looking for."

BLOG:  He's snapped.  What did you tell him.
FRANK:  Well obviously you have to sink to his level.  First I told him that the Farah wedding was 31 years so give it up.  When that didn't work, I took a deep breath and told him that his Jedi mind tricks wouldn't work here, it kept him at bay for bit. 

BLOG:  So what are you going to do to put an end to it?
FRANK:  Well there's only one thing to do really.   I've gotta find a way to get Cal Steeves to sit down with him and work some of his master Yoda magic on him. 

BLOG:  Good luck with that.  Its got a chance.
FRANK:  Yeah, thanks. (RING...RING...RING),
 
BLOG:  What's that Frank.
FRANK:  Oh Just my Wireless Phone Calling Device. 

BLOG:  You have a cell phone?  Pretty hipster of you!
FRANK:  I've had it or years.  It cost me $600.00, but what the heck, its shatter proof!

FRANK:  (muttering into the Wireless Phone Calling Device)
BLOG:  Something important Frank?

FRANK:  Sort of.  Good news for the Banshees!  We won't be distracted by paisley tonight, "you know who" can't make it tonight.
BLOG: Oh well, all things considered, its probably best you never mentioned his name.

FRANK:  Well as disastrous as this is;  Randy Rose doesn't need the embarrassment of having his name out there.  I'm sensitive to that.
BLOG:  Nice one.

THE SPEECH

In celebration of Randy Rose who had a 1 in 15 shot at being a Grisslie, and failed, Rob Farah sang this inspirational song to the team prior to the game.  It showed everyone just how lucky they really were.  The song, Randy Rose is a Thorn, is sung to the tune of the Poison classic, Every Rose has its Thorn (note;  I'm well aware that it wasn't a classic!).  Click on this link to hear the tune while you read ===> CLICK ME!. 

This weeks Speech Sponsor is Cogveyor, "Positive Drive - Simple Solutions".  You may not need a conveyor system for your home (or maybe you do), but if you have a business need; you know where to go. 

RANDY ROSE IS A THORN

Wanting to be a Grisslie
Its every ball players dream.
I can see him glaring at me across the field,
All I can say is that it’s nice your eye surgery has healed.

Was it something we said or something we did
Did the game not play out right?
Though we tried to get you in the draft,
Though I tried
But I guess it wasn’t my day

Chorus:
Randy Rose is a thorn
Just like Frank Laird has his John
Just like every Banshee has Transformers Long Johns
Randy Rose is a thorn

Yeah he is

He’s gotten a little cocky now,
with his new eyes and all,
Heard him say he loves a game of easy come and easy go
But I wonder if has talking about hitting
Is he thinking of the draft fiasco?
And I know that he’d be here right now
If I could have pulled it off somehow

I guess

Chorus
Randy Rose is a thorn
Just like Frank Laird has his John
Just like every Banshee has Transformers Long Johns
Randy Rose is a thorn

Solo

I know that you'll use your glove one night
Those hits will go your way; say
You’re new sight will help you make a play
Its cheating in a bionic way.

And now you’re on the Banshees.
And I guess Frank and John are thrilled with you
To hear that tears me up inside
Because we thought you’d be a Grisslie too.

Chorus
Randy Rose is a thorn
Just like Frank Laird has his John
Just like every Banshee has Transformers Long Johns
Randy Rose is a thorn

THE GAME

JUST BE CLEAR:  Randy Rose ducked us!

Thanks to the Banshees for playing the rained out make up game - in the rain!  And thanks to Steve DeLand, Al Bales, Bob Pearce and Steve Brooks for subbing on a lousy night for weather. 

Lets see....how to sugar coat this one, hmmmm.  Actually, if you take my play out of it, it was a pretty great game.  Our hitters hit for the most part.  We played well defensively, but got burned by some good quality hits.  You can't do anything about that, good hitting is good hitting.

I can see why Frank thought it was a good draft.  Esau, the "rookie", had three hits, runs like the wind and fielded flawlessly.  Did anyone actually check his age?  I'm sure the Durham Bulls are mighty upset to have lost him from their starting lineup, but I guess he was done playing triple A ball.  John Coopman, Anicete Goncalves and Scott Peters were particular thorns in our sides this night.  And Scott also snared a sinking line drive off of Farah's bat that could have changed the game. 

So here is where it really went awry. 

1st inning - With two runs in, two runners on and one out, I hit a routine grounder to second base that stifled the inning.  Farah and Bales followed with hits to score two more runs, but a potentially huge inning was reduced to a good one. 

2nd inning - (this is my favourite)  three runs in, two out,  Dave Argue on second having just driven in two with a double, I strike out (foul out - but you know how it works) ending the inning.

5th inning - (no wait, this is my favourite)  One run in, Hayward on third, Argue on first, two out, I ground out to first ending the inning. 

6th inning - (yeah, this is best) Two runs in, two out, Hayward on second, Argue on first, I ground out to third ending the inning. 

Summary:  Rarely, but sometimes its all about me.  0 for 4.  Three innings ended!  SEVEN runners left on base.  That's tough when you lose 13-10.

On the bright side, the rest of the Grisslie regulars hit .750 on the night, including three 4/4 nights and Farah found his bat with three solid hits.  Next up for the Grisslies are the Hot Tub Woody's and their knuckle ball pitcher Dave Kidd next Tuesday.  That should do wonders for my slump!!!

See you Sunday morning for the Weakly Supplement!