GAME 4: The Gambler

INTRO

Well, we're four games into the the season and we've passed the waiver deadline.  We can still make trades of course, but we can no longer give anyone their "outright release".  Even if they deserve it.

Actually, all kidding aside, Rob and I are really happy with this year's team.  Except for Lance.  No, no, no, I'm just kidding.  The team is great, Lance included.  This year, we'd like to introduce the team to the legion (pun intended) of fans by releasing a new feature, The Grisslie Baseball cards!  These will soon be collector items so please print this page and assign a child or grand child to cut them out for you.

Sue-Z-Q

Bio:  Susan has been managing the Grisslies since the team's inception.  She controls the team budget, organizes Fan Appreciation night, is the Official Scorer.  Drink of choice:  Smirnoff Ice.  What the scouts say:  There is no one more on top of the game.  No one.

Rick Cudnik

Bio:  Rick Cudnik, AKA, Ricky Bobby is one of the league's feared power hitters.  Also a much sought after outfielder and aggressive base runner.   Favourite Biblical Character:  Joseph, because he was a carpenter.   What the scouts say:  Million dollar arm.  Five cent head.



 Dave Argue

Bio:  Dave "I need a new nickname" Argue is the third longest serving Grisslie, entering his 3rd consecutive season.  Dave consistently crushes the ball at the plate and plays flawless defense whether at Short Stop or Center Field.  Best Grisslie Moment:  Winning the Donini 3 stars award last year, "it was like winning the lottery". What the scouts say:  You'd think he'd lose a step somewhere along the way .... but he's not slipping at all.

Jeff Sagert

Bio:  Jeff Sagert, a rookie to TOT was drafted by the Grisslies.  Jeff announced his presence with authority by getting 10 hits in his first 10 at bats.  He has locked down the left side of the infield defensively as well.  Favourite Musical Group:  The Plain White Tee's.  What the scouts say: He's a fearless 2 strike hitter.  You don't see that too often among rookies. 

Gary Basso

Bio:  Gary is excellent outfielder which makes the whole left side of the diamond stellar defensively.  His bat though, belies his mellow demeanor.  A gap power hitter that can jump up and bite you.  Most Common Quote:  No, I'm not related to "THOSE" Basso's.  What the scouts say: There is no way to stack a defense against him. He just hits it where they ain't.
 
Doug Dwyer

Bio:  "The Other Captain", is entering his 4th season with Grisslies.  He is a reasonable player defensively but is probably the most predictable hitter in the league.  Why there aren't 4 infielders on the right side of the diamond when he's up is beyond me.  Favourite Pass time:  writing nonsense.  What the scouts say:  agreed.  He does write nonsense AND he's a totally routine out.  Shortstop should be on the second base side of the bag and two right fielders.  He would be a .250 hitter if people would do that. 

Art Sagert

Bio:  With over a 1000 life time hits in his Old Timer's career, Art is a veteran who leads by his actions.  He remains one of the league's best, starting this season hitting over .800 after 3 games.  He plays a strong defensive outfield and his chatter keeps other defenders constantly alert.  Favourite Saying:  There must be more to life than being ridiculously good looking and I intend to find out what that is.  What the scouts say: A little like Basso, but shorter stroke and more ornery.  I'd like to get him out occasionally, but I can't. 

Lance Horgan

Bio:  Lance "The Church" Horgan is the table setter.  This speedy lead-off man is also one of the Grisslies Center Fielders.  The combination of Gary, Rick and Art with Lance gives the out field a blend of range and baseball savvy.  Favourite Grisslie Moment:  "Draft Day.  I'm not too proud to admit there were tears".  What the scouts say: You better hope he flies out because if he gets the ball on the ground you're done.  Even hit right at you, he's ridiculously fast. 


Rob Farah

Bio:  With over 100 career wins as a starting pitcher in the Old Timer's league, Rob brings with him a track record of consistency and finesse.  Rob IS the day one Grisslie.  He has amazing speed on the bases which is why we usually use him as a pinch runner.  Favourite Baseball Quote:  "I don't talk to the press on game days". What the scouts say: You may as well swing early.  Farah hasn't had a 2 walk game in 3 years. 

Bob Vienneau

Bio:  Bob had been the Captain of the now defunct Torn Ligaments for many years.  After a little bit of a power struggle in the club house, Bob seems to have accepted his role on the team.  Actually Bob is a valued member of the Grisslies.  He's played stellar 1st base.  His bat is coming around as he arm gets better and we'll soon see the return of the man who led the Ligaments in hitting last year.  Bob is a GREAT attitude to have on the club, which nicely counters the rest of the malcontents.  The Question Bob Asks Most Often:  Explain to me again, why I'm not playing 2nd base?  What the scouts say: Go ahead.  Let your guard down against Bobby V.  He'll have a field day driving in important runs you. 

Scott Pritchard

Bio:  For the 3rd consecutive year the Grisslies were awarded 2 first time players in the draft.  Following in the footsteps of Timmy Two Beers, Greg "The Pirate" Tracey, Rene Simard and Dave "Don't Call Me Terry" Doucette is Scott, nickname pending, Pritchard.  Scott affords us excellent versatility in the outfield and his bat shows real promise.  He's a sneaky line drive hitter and is quick on the bases.  Favourite TV Character:  Isn't it obvious?  Fonzie!  Ayyyyyyye  What the scouts say:  Reminds me a bit of DCMT as a rookie, at least at the plate.  He hits a lot of liners.  When he starts doing it consistently.....look out!

Dave Doucette

Bio:  Entering his second year with the Grisslies, DCMT is making his presence known this year.  In his rookie season he hit reasonably well.  By reasonably well, I mean .651 and a solid .651 at that.  Dave got no cheapie infield hits.  He strikes the ball hard.  This year he's added a defensive component to his game as he starts to establish himself in his second season.  He's already logged key outs at 3B, 2B and 1B in 3 games this season. A Grisslie through and through, Dave is always looking for opportunities to contribute on and off the field.  Favourite Movie Line:  "Run Like the Wind Bulls-Eye!" (Toy Story)  What the scouts say: He has to be in the conversation for most improved player.  He's gotten really reliable at the plate and is finding some confidence with the glove too. 

Charlie O'Leary

Bio:  Charlie Freakin' O'Leary (CFO).  I always thought that the CFO nickname had to do with a financial background, but apparently not.  Charlie is our Catcher (not back catcher, for the LOVE OF GOD) and our back up first baseman.  He has hit decently and will soon be rewarded for all of his hard work.  Charlie keeps the team on their toes with defensive alignments and lets Rob know when to throw the slider.  Favourite Food:  "Burritos, because their spicy like me" What the scouts say:  Following legends isn't easy.  Cliff Stacey, Piero Del Greco and Mickey Mannel are the most recent Grisslie catchers and dare I say; Charlie is approaching their level.  Oh, and doesn't he look a little like Rob Stock's little brother in that picture?

And there you have it Tottenham, your 2012 Grisslies.

THE SPEECH

We don't advocate gambling in this league.  You bet we don't!  However, information came to Robert Farah Esq., that there is something of an underground poker network in town.  I know!!!  I didn't see it coming either.  Rob took it upon himself to flush this out and expose the gamblers.  He worked his way into getting invited to a poker night on Fraser Ave a couple of months ago and he got me a last second invite to tag along.  I'll tell you, Rob's Barretta like instincts were in over drive on that night finding league members lurking amongst reputed gamblers.

In fact one of those notorious gamblers is rumoured to be on the Tap Masters.  If you know Rob at all, you know that he's subtle.  He'd never say anything directly to the person.  Instead he would use cleverly worded lyrics to show that he know the real scene.  Enjoy Rob's surreptitious calling out of an otherwise anonymous Tap Master player through the Kenny Rogers hit, The Gambler.  I bet by the end of it you won't even know who he's talking about.  Here is the music in case you forgot this 1970's #1 one song.  ===>  The Gambler

The Gambler

On a warm summer's evenin' on a team bound for nowhere
I met up with Dan the gambler, we were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a starin'; starin' at the umpire
'Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak

I said, "Dan, I've made a life, out of readin' people's faces
And knowin' where they were hittin' by the way they moved their feet
So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you have no power
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice"

So he handed me his bottle and I drank down Dan's last swallow
Then I bummed a cigarette and asked him for a light
And the night got deathly quiet and my face got this expression
I Said, "If you're gonna play the game, Dan, you gotta learn to play it right"

You got to know when to swing 'em, know when to take one
Know when to take a walk and know when to run
No one will think you're funny when you're sittin' at the dugout
There'll be time enough for laughin' when you score a run

Every hitter knows that the secret to survivin'
Is watching what the pitcher throws and not to move your feet
'Cause every pitch can be a winner and every pitch can be a loser
And the best that you can hope for is to hit the odd one deep

And when I finished speakin', he turned back towards the window
Crushed out my cigarette and thought of buying a jeep
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, started dreaming
In my drawn out words he found an ace that he could keep

You got to know when to swing 'em, know when to take one
Know when to take a walk and know when to run
No one will think you're funny money when you're sittin' at the dugout
There'll be time enough for laughin' when you score the run

You got to know when to swing 'em, know when to take one
Know when to take a walk and know when to run
No one will think you're funny money when you're sittin' at the dugout
There'll be time enough for laughin' when you score the run

You got to know when to swing 'em, know when to take one
Know when to take a walk and know when to run
No one will think you're funny when you're sittin' in the dugout
There'll be time enough for laughin' when you score the run. 


THE GAME

This is my fourth year with the Grisslies.  The first year, we made it to the semi-finals.  The next year we were the first team eliminated.  Then last year we won it all.  You may not see it on the surface, but each of these seasons had something in common.  And you can add this season to the list.

Each of these seasons had games that I like to call "clunkers".  Actually, I don't like to call them clunkers, they just are. Its not that you're blown out, which happens to everyone.  Or that you're losing close games which happen to everyone as well.  Its just a game that you're really not in, no matter how hard you try.  That sucks.  What sucks most is that these are the only games that seem to center around me. 

Example?  Sure....I thought you'd never ask. 

The game starts getting outs on two players who have done well against us, Esau Lewin and Tim Schrank.  Next up is Randy Rose.  I think Randy is a pretty damned good hitter, but for whatever reason he doesn't hit particularly well against Rob.  He hits a hard ground ball to my right.  Two steps to my right at the most and low.  It was hard but definitely playable.  It goes under my glove and Randy gets on.  A couple of hits later he scores.

Oh, I'm sure that you don't think that is such a "big deal", after all they only scored one.  But that's where you're just watching a baseball game and not seeing the "Field of Dreams".  Baseball is a series of unmistakeably chained events.  They happen with beautiful symmetry and they happen for a reason only known in the depths of baseball lore.  I can see the basic framework of the mystery, but I don't pretend to understand how or why all the dominoes fall.

Case in point.

In the 3rd inning the Grisslies were up 3-1.  Again we got the 1st two outs.  It was having the appearance that we were gaining some control of the game.  Esau singles.  Schrank singles.  Not unusual, they are guys we have trouble with.  Randy Rose hits an absolute bomb clear out of Coventry park to the right field power alley.  4 years as a Grisslie.  This is the 4th home run I've seen Rob give up.  The first at Coventry.

Now you may not believe it, but had I made the play on the Randy Rose grounder in the 1st inning, he never would have hit the home run in the third.  You can argue, but it won't work.  He would have come up in the third remembering that he can't hit Rob very well.  Rob would have remembered that Randy has limited success against him and he probably would have flied out.

Don't believe me?  Randy would double and score again in the fourth.  That's not a happy coincidence.  Its fate.  

By the time he game up in the 5th, I had moved myself to right field.  It was my personal punishment to myself for the 1st inning blunder.  In four years I have zero (0) fly ball catches in the outfield.  Its not that I don't try, I just happen to not be a good outfielder.  I figured, if I'm going to cost us the game, I'm going to do it in a big way. 

It is because of this moment in time that I know without a doubt that everything is connected and that there all baseball gods that actually regulate our crazy beer league.  Randy Rose comes up with runners at 1st and 3rd and hits a rope to me in fairly deep right field.  It was sinking and hard.  I ended up catching it about chest high.  That was the gods giving me a bit of a chance at redemption.  Just a reminder that they're in charge and they can make unusual things happen at their whim.  Like Rob giving up a home run at Coventry.  Like me getting an out in the outfield.  Randy had stung another one and got to go home remembering that he ripped ball after ball after ball.  I get to go home thinking of one catch and what might have been if I'd made an easier one earlier.

But don't go thinking that this chain of events is contained to this game alone.  No, no, no.  I had been tempting fate.  I was paid back and sadly, my team bore the brunt of it. 

I wore new baseball pants.  Mistake.  I haven't worn the hat that won the championship last year.  Mistake.  I've been wearing new shoes.  Mistake.  I decided to go with facial hair without the benefit of a streak to start it.  Mistake.  There will be changes next Tuesday. You'll see.  I have to respect the gods and get this back on the rails.

Within the confines of the game, the top of the order had been our strength early in the year.  In this game, our top 5 hitters were collectively 9/20.  That ain't going to get too much done.

We have two games next week and I'm already optimistic about them.  I think I can appease the gods and regain the good Karma. 

Oh, did I mention the score?  Tap Masters 16, Grisslies 10.  Welcome to the league, good game lads.  

Things to check out:

Check out the Donini Three Stars of the game here ==> STARS
Check out the Dislocated Joints game notes from DTBB ==> JOINTS
Check out the Tap Master's game notes from Jason Bowers ==> Tapped Out
Check out the Brew Jays game notes from Rod and Bo ==> Jays Squawk
Check out the Hurtin' Units BLOG ==> Hannibal Lecter
The League's Official Website ==> League