GAME 16: Hits

INTRO

Michael Douglas in "Falling Down".  This is NOT the Rob 

Rumboldt story, just a happy coincidence. 

So.  Rob Rumboldt had stopped playing ball in the Old Timers before I started.  This is the first year we've been in the league at the same time.  But I've been familiar with him almost since my 1st day....actually, maybe even my 1st draft.  Even when away from the league Rob would show up at the banquets, golf tournaments and weekend ball tournaments.  He seemed to know everyone and everyone certainly knew him.  Even for a new guy like myself he was immediately friendly and warm.

I'm a bit of an 'observer' and one thing I've notice is that there seems to be a lot of smiling when Rob's around.  Also, there's a lot of smiling when he's not around but there is a story being told that relates to him.  You all probably know that people refer to him as Tumble.  It took me a while to figure out that Tumble and Rumboldt were the same guy.  I get the rhyme thing.  Its a hockey town, I appreciate that nicknames generally aren't clever and don't have meaning .... you're either a rhyme (Tumble) or an 'ie' (Robbie).

Then sometime this year between the draft and the 1st game of the season, I was going through the Tim Horton's drive thru and noticed that Rob was walking his dog north along with the lovely Ronnie.  I know, I know, I know.  I probably had the same first reaction as you.  What the hell is Rob doing this far from home????  Did he drive halfway????  Does he have a compass????

It hit me then of course.  We were only a week a so away from the first game and he was likely aiming to get himself into playing shape.  Nice plan!  It was a long line at the drive thru, though....by the time I looped around and paid, they are on their way back into town again.  Honestly, it took forever, they probably made it to Alliston and back in the time that it took for me to get my bloody coffee.

Anyway, I'm waiting to turn out the parking lot when the Rumboldt's pass on foot in front of the car.  Rob turns his head and give a casual wave and promptly wipes out all over the side walk.  Not a little trip; I mean an epic spill that was movie worthy, over the dogs leash, drink spilled everywhere....it was brilliant.  And then I realized that Tumble wasn't one of those stupid hockey rhyming nicknames, it was actually real!  I was going to verify that with Ronnie, but she was doubled over laughing.  

So of course, this led to a full investigation.  I was able to find out that Rob went to College in Toronto.  I was able to get the actual picture from his student card (below).

Under threat of litigation, the school posted signs at the entrance of all stair cases, wash rooms, class rooms, dormitories and chapels.   

It didn't help much.

This picture was circulated around campus claiming that it was Rob after some wild frat party.  The sad and hopeless truth is that this is a picture of Rob getting ready for a wild college frat party.  It was two o'clock in the afternoon and his job was to put the florescent safety tape on the stairs. 

With Rob's post graduate success in competitive trampoline, he was in the fortunate position of being able to make a substantial cash donation to the university.  It took a while for the school to properly allocate the funds, but they finally decided that a statue commemorating Rob's tenure would be the most appropriate thing to do. 

And to top it off, they presented him with his very own limited edition graduation gown. 

Like everyone, Rob's school career came to an end.  Now, some people look back at University as the best time of their live, but not so for Tumble-Rumboldt.  No sir.  Its not that school wasn't great, its just that he had some much more ahead of him.

Rob's a nice guy, he's smart, he's got that devil-may-care charm that makes the Legion bartenders swoon.  But above all, Rob is an athlete.  He played many sports over the years.  First he gave skiing a run, but narrowly missed the Canadian Olympic team.

He spent a couple of years running competitive track.  He was actually really good but he found the steeple chase to be a little hard on the teeth.

All of Canada was cheering when he entered the Tour De France.  You can see Rob on the bottom left in the red.  Sadly he was disqualified after causing his 3rd accident.  Regardless, its an achievement to make it through even one day of this month long race; and Rob very nearly did just that! 

Then Rob found his calling.  A game that allows him to spend a lot of time on the ground without any ill effects.

If you're not familiar with the picture above, please come out to any Hurtin' Units game and see first hand.  I can guarantee that Rob will make it worth your while! 

THE SPEECH

Rob:   We need to change things up with the team.
Doug:   How so?
Rob:   I think they're getting complacent. 
Doug:   Personally, I'm not seeing that, but what changes do you want to make?
Rob:   Well, lets start with Cudnik. 
Doug:  You want to move him in the order? 
Rob:   No, move him on defense.  I'm thinking 1st base. 
Doug:   Wow.  Really?  We'd be giving up a lot of outfield defense having him at first.  
Rob:   Maybe, but it'll keep people fresh to change positions, that's why I think Bob Smith catching would be perfect too. 
Doug:  Smith catching and Ricky at 1st.  Why don't we just default a win? 
Rob:   You don't think they're good enough for those spots? 
Doug:   I think they're plenty good enough, I just think their replacements might be a slight notch below their skill sets. 
Rob:   Ye of little face. 
Doug:   You mean "little faith".
Rob: No, I meant ye of little mermaid.  Of course I mean you of little face. 
Doug:  You just said it again.    
Rob:   What? 
Doug:  Ye of little face? 
Rob:   I KNOW
Doug:  You have nothing to do be torment me, do you? 
Rob:  That's not true, I worked overtime today....almost didn't make it home for lunch.  I have my own anxiety issues buddy. 
Doug:   Right.  Well I suppose you remember that this was the Rob Rumboldt BLOG right?
Rob:   Yeah. 
Doug:   And I'm just going to guess that your speech has nothing to do with that does it?
Rob:   Guess again. 
Doug:   Really?
Rob:   No...but it was funny to see you get your hopes up. 
Doug:  Excellent, so what do we have this week that doesn't sync with the rest of the BLOG.  
Rob:   I've got one of your favourites, Prince.
Doug:   Seriously?  Wow!  He is one of my favourites.  That's awesome.  I didn't even know that you knew who prince was!  
Rob:   Come on Doug.  He just won the home run derby. 

And so ends another visit to the Donini Deck with me shaking my head.  But despite the fact that Rob thinks that Prince (of the Little Red Corvette) and Prince (of the Fielder's) are the same person, I still get to hear a pretty cool song in a special "Rob" arrangement!  So here is Prince's (of the Little Red Corvette) song "Kiss", redone Robbie-Rob style as "Hits".  Music ===> HERE 

HITS

You don't have to be youthful

to be a Grisslie pawn

You don't need to run real fast

Just from dusk till dawn

You don't need experience

To get someone out

You just leave it all up to me

I'm gonna show you what it's all about

You don't have to be rich

To give it a whirl

You don't have to be cool

To make me hurl

Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with

I just want your extra bases and your
Hits.

You have to get your shirt dirty, baby

If you wanna impress me

You can win at casino Rama

That wouldn't depress me (Yeah)

You play baseball a little klutzy

But I don't realy mind

You just leave it all up to me

The batting order will be just fine!

You don't have to be rich

To give it a whirl

You don't have to be cool

To make me hurl

Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with

I just want your extra bases and your
Hits.

Doubles not singles rule my world

I said they rule my world

Act your age, Not your shoe size

Not your shoe size

Maybe you could give it a whirl

You don't have to watch Dynasty

To have an attitude

You just leave it all up to me

My lineup won't be subdued

You don't have to be rich

To give it a whirl

You don't have to be cool

To make me hurl

Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with

I just want your extra bases and your
 Hits

GAME:

Well the Grisslies came into this game with a 2-0-1 record on C2.  Believe me, its been a struggle at times to find things to be optimistic about!  We were on our 3rd two game winning streak of the season and were in hope of seeing a 3 gamer for the 1st time.  However we were facing the Hurtin' Units who have been playing unbelievably well of late.  They had won 4 of 5 to pull themselves out of the basement and into the middle of the pack in 8th place.

The game started well enough for the visiting Grisslies counting one in the 1st.  But this would be a tale of defense.  The Units boasted the the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 15th top average hitters in the league and 6 players overall hitting better than .700.  But on this night the leather would shine for both teams.

Without getting into too many of the gory details, the Hurtin' Units send 11 men to the plate over the first 3 innings.  Cam Clark (2/3) reached third base in the second but was stranded.  That was the only real threat.

The Grisslies got 5 in their half of the 3rd inning and 3 more in the top of the 4th to make it a 9-0 lead when the Units came up.

Gord Robinson (2/4, 2) led off the inning with a well struck inside the park home run.  That was followed by an Anicete Goncalves (3/3) single, but the next 3 batters were put out in order and the threat was thwarted.

The Grisslies loaded the bases on singles by Gary Basso (3/3, 2), Art Sagert (3/4, 2) and Doug Dwyer (4/4, 2) but couldn't push across another run. 

That looked like it might be costly as the Hurtin' Units got one in the 6th to make it 9-2 but then broke out in the 7th.  They had 5 consecutive batters reach with 3 scoring before an outwas recorded.  Then a quick ground out and flyout ended things.

The final score was 9-5 for the Grisslies who find the silver lining remaining undefeated at C2.

(BTW, we'll be moving the balance of our schedule to C2). 


Things to check out:

Check out the Donini Three Stars of the game here ==> STARS
Check out the Dislocated Joints game notes from DTBB & Terry Doucet ==> JOINTS
Check out the Tap Master's game notes from Jason Bowers ==> Tapped Out
Check out the Hurtin' Units BLOG from Jimmer ==> Hannibal Lecter
The League's Official Website ==> League