Game 19 - Blues Brother, Scott Mason's secret wish

The Squirrel at the Grisslie Alter

INTRO

A couple of weeks ago I saw the Blues Brothers hanging out in the legion.  The numbers began to dwindle until there was only Dave Argue, Ingo Bartens, Kevin (Radar) Boston and Scott Mason left. 

They were chatting.....

Scott: This league is great, I’m having a ball.
Ingo: Yep, hard to find someone who has a bad word to say about the league.
Dave: You might have a bad year here and there, but it evens out. And those are just the teams, not the league. You can’t beat the league.
Radar: That’s the beauty of the rating system. On May 1st everyone is in first place and has a chance. Injuries, bad years, good years, a #12 getting a key hit, that’s what makes the difference.
Scott: Cool. I had fun last year. Having fun this year, meeting some new guys and I’m sure it’ll be the same next year. You know what, the changing teams thing is way better than I thought it would be.
Radar: I’ve been on 6 teams in 6 years. There’s not too many guys I haven’t played with yet.
Scott: You know what would be fun?
Ingo: What?
Scott: To get on the Grisslies next year.
Radar: Be careful what you wish for.
Dave: What, you don’t like being a number 1?
Ingo: It was two years of hell for me.
Scott: What???
Dave: Give it up Ingofische, two years is nothing.  I spent three years there. First year I was a number one, got bumped to a two. Hayward came in as a one, bumped to a two. Cudnik goes there last year hits .823, knocks 8 out of Keogh and improves his batting average from the previous season by 207 points and HE gets bumped to a two.
Scott: BS. There’s no way. There’s a rating committee to make sure that stuff doesn’t happen.
Dave: Who’s on the rating committee?
Scott: Seriously?
Dave: I’m just saying....once?  Sure, that can happen.  Twice?  Maybe.  But 3 times? That’s a trend.
Scott: No kidding
Dave: You know who I feel sorry for? Doris Casullo. You know he’s staring at going a two now.
Scott: There’s no way Doris moves down. I’ve modeled my entire shortstop career after him.
Dave: Me too. And where am I now?
Scott: Wow. Still. It looks like they have fun. Maybe I could sneak in one year with them and and go back to being a #1 later.
Radar; Oh yeah, its fun alright. If having your career batting average drop by 150 points is fun.  If that's the case, then the Grisslies are party central.
Scott: Why does that happen?
Radar: OMG, all they talk about is defense. Defense, defense, defense. I think the batting order is drawn out of a hat.
Scott: Well, defense is important though
Radar: Yeah, sure it is, but you need to score the OCCASIONAL run!
Scott: It can’t be that bad.
Radar: Really? I have a bet with Marky Doyle every year as to who will finish with the higher average. The only year I lost?
Scott: You were a Grisslie?
Radar: I was a Grisslie. But its not just me. Art Sagert came within a sniff of the batting title. Next year goes to the Grisslies and drops like a stone. Doris, #15 in batting last season, this year .625. Roger Gaudet, 14 in batting last year...he’s gone from .758 to 636.  These aren't flukes.  These are good hitters that crash with that team. 
Scott: WOW. So what are they doing to these poor guys.
Radar: Part of it is the over emphasis on defense. And then they’re so anxious to get back on the field and play MORE defense that they just let base runners run themselves into outs. That is if they even have base coaches out there. Usually while the team is hitting you’ll see Farah and Dwyer strategizing new defensive alignments in the dugout and restitching their gloves.  Its pathetic. 
Scott: Well, if nothing else, with all the emphasis on defense they must have a history of being in close games and playing sound ball.
Ingo: If by “sound” you mean people playing out of position and getting maimed, then this is your team.
Scott: Now that one I’m pretty sure is an over reaction.
Ingo: Seriously? You know nothing rookie.
Scott: I'm a Sophomore
Ingo: Whatever! I spent 32 years playing right field and left field at various levels of ball. We have our preseason Grisslie meeting and I see Dwyer writing stuff down and Farah nodding. I get to the 1st game guess who’s playing 3rd?
Scott: You?
Ingo: Me. First batter nearly took off my knee cap. By the time game was over I looked like a brick of swiss cheese.
Scott: But that made you better right?
Ingo: No, it made the left fielder better.  He had to play shallow behind me and get all the ricochets.
Scott: But eventually it worked out.
Ingo: No. Eventually I tore my hammy and Dwyer took over 3rd. That might have been the plan from the beginning. Hard to tell with those two.
Scott: Are you sure you guys aren’t just bitter?
Dave:  Bitter?  Haven't you been listening?
Scott:  Look their having a bad year, but last year they made the quarters.  The year before they won.  Made the semis a before that.  They've been pretty consistent. 
Radar:  Yeah that's it Scott, you're right.  We're wrong. 
Ingo:  Maybe we should have spoken in braille, after all, didn't he learn that in x-man school?.....I hear he's good at foriegn laguages. 
Dave:  Braille isn't a foreign language.. 
Ingo:  Sure it is, what do you think they speak in Brailzil?
Radar:  Holy crap, you really WERE on the Grisslies for 2 years, you're speaking like Rob now!. 

The Speech

Robbie is certainly feeling that 70's folksy soul styling lately.  Maybe not soul.  Maybe folk / rock kinda thing.  Well he was bound and determined to do something about the squirrel and his "not so secret" desire to be a Grisslie, so he manipulated the song "Brandy" by Looking Glass.  You can hear the tune here, ====>  CLICK ME. 

 SCOTTY

There's a sport played on sunny days
And it serves a 180 guys who play
The lonely squirrel pass the time away
And talks about his goal

And there's a team in this one horse town
And they play and drink Donini down
They say "Boys, how 'bout another round"
And they play ball and drink their wine

The Grisslies say "Scotty, you're a fine guy" (you're a fine guy)
"What a good Grisslie you would be" (such a fine Gris)
"Yeah your range could steal a base hit from Lahey"
(dooda-dit-dooda), (dit-dooda-dit-dooda-dit)

Scotty, well his arm's insane
He works it out, by cutting sugar cane
A locket that bears the name
Of the team that Scotty loves

He came to Fraser, on a summer's day
Bringin' gifts from far away
And he made it clear he wanted to stay

The Grisslies were his home

Then Robbie said "Scotty, you're a fine guy" (you're a fine guy)
"What a good Grisslie you would be" (such a fine Gris)
"But you're a Blues Brother, A Grisslie next year maybe"
(dooda-dit-dooda), (dit-dooda-dit-dooda-dit)

Yeah, Scotty turned and hid his eyes
When Rob explained the draft story
He feel the wave of disappointment rise
He wanted Grisslie glory
But he had always known the truth, lord, he was an honest man
And Scotty did his best to understand
(dooda-dit-dooda), (dit-dooda-dit-dooda-dit)

At night when the bars close down

The Squirrel walks through a silent town
And dreams about next years Draft
He can almost hear them say
 

He hears them say "Scotty, you're a Grisslie" (you're a Grisslie!)
"What a good Grisslie you will be" (such a fine Grisl)
"And now, you'll enjoy going 21-3"
(dooda-dit-dooda), (dit-dooda-dit-dooda-dit)

"Scotty, You're a Grisslie" (you're a Grisslie!l)
[FADE]

"What a good Grisslie you will be" (such a fine Grisl)
"And now, you'll enjoy going 21-3"

The Game

Seriously????

How are you supposed to play against these guys?

The Blues Brothers opened up the game with Grisslie worthy Shenanigans!  Good on you guys, well done!

They took that enthusiasm to the field and opened with a three run fist inning on the strength of runs by Ingofische, Radar and Squirrel. 

The Grisslies would count just a single in their half of the inning and another in the second.  At the end of three the score stood 3-2 for the Blues Brothers. 

The Blues Brothers would then open it up in the fourth scoring 5 and seemingly taking control of the game.  Ingofishche, Argue, Radar, Mason and Johnny T did the damage this time. 

The great thing about this Grisslie team and probably the big reason why Scott is so desperate to join the team, is the fact that they don't give up.  Despite being down 8-2 and having a 2-15-1 record, and missing Winston Gayle, Brad Wadden, Dave Muirhead we kept battling. 

The Grisslies would fall 11-8 in another hard fought game.  Well played fellas, the wins are around the corner!

Week 13 Stats

The Beer Cup Week 12

THEY'RE BACK!!!!

Well I guess the Dislocated Joints weren't big fans of the Red Dogs being the only team to own the Beer Cup on two separate occasions.  So what do they do?  They lay a 25 to 11 beat down on the puppies and bully their way to the prize.  

Hardly seems fair!

We'll see if they can go on another run of title defenses.  Next week will feature two Beer Cup games.  On Tuesday the Joints will play the Hot Tub Woody's.  Should the Joints win, they'll try and hold on to it next against the Blues Brothers on Thursday.  Coincidentally, if the Woody's beat the Joints, they will also try to defend this week, also on Thursday and also against the Blues Brothers. 

Oh, and yes Downtown Billy Brown, YOU MUST carry the rag around with you!

    

Teams that have held the Beer Cup(7)

• Beer Bros.
• Hot Tub Woody's
• Dislocated Joints (2)
• Dodge City Rounders
• Red Dogs (2)
• Brew Jays 
• Blues Brothers

Teams that have defended the Beer Cup(2)

• Dislocated Joints (4)
• Brew Jays (2)

Teams that have yet to play for the Cup(6)

• Dog Catchers
• Dusty Cleats
• Draft Kings
• Rusty Rebels
• Tap Masters

League Tid-Bits

• On Monday July 22nd in the 9:30 game at Keogh Park the lead story wasn't the Hot Tub Woody's 16 - 7 win over the Brew Jays.  It was that the Woody's used a sub for the first time this year (game 17) and became the last team do so.  I think I know who's getting the attendance award!  Despite the use of the sub, the Woody's remain the only team tho have had all their runs scored this season by only their drafted players. 
• The Red Dogs have 2 more wins and 3 more points that the Grisslies.  Plus their only 3 points out 13th spot and a scant 8 games under .500.  They're way better than us, that's why it hurts me to have anyone think I'm making fun of them.  But what a week!  They scored 35 runs in two games.  That's pretty damned good.  They gave up 50.  That's pretty damned bad and believe me, I'm getting to be an expert on bad (35 run game to the HTW's).  Despite their 35 runs they were 0-2 this week which isn't the worst record of the week.  (next bullet)
• The worst record of the week goes to the Grisslies who cobbled together an 0-3 week after the previous weeks dominatant 0-1-1 run.  The Grisslies managed 21 runs in their 3 games.  At that pace we could have matched the Red Dogs output with only 2 more games! 
• On the topic of subs, I was curious how many times teams have had thier full rosters at a game this season.  The results were a little surprising (to me).  The Beer Bros., Blues Brothers, Brew Jays, Dislocated Joints, Dodge City Rounders, Dog Catchers, Dusty Cleats, Grisslies and Hurtin' Untits have all had their full 12 man roster at a game once (1) this entire season.  The Gruesome Devils 2 times. The Rusty Rebels and Tap Masters 3 times.  The Hot Tub Woody's 5 times.  The Red Dogs 6 times and the Draft Kings a whopping 8 times. 
• Rob McCarron hit for the cycle against the Grisslies on Tuesday night.  While on the surface this looks good, it should be noted that he's the 87th person to do that (against the Grisslies) this year.
• Its not at all surprising to me that recent upswings by the Dodge City Rounders and Beer Brothers are coupled with hot streaks from two of the leagues more game influencing hitters.  When some people (me) go 4/4 its a nice night.  When Scott Peters or Rob McCarron go 4/4 it changes games.  Scotty is in 15/17 groove right now and Robbie is 11 for his last 12.  
• The Draft Kings seem to be over their breif mid season malaise.  They've put some distance between themselves and 2nd & 3rd although the Brew Jays and Gruesome Devils do have some games in hand.  But those only cound if you win them.  
• The Beer Bros. swoon of 5 consecutive loses is over (your welcome) and they no longer own the leagues longest winless streak.  Guess who does?  With wins over the Grisslies and Rusty Rebels this week they've moved solidly into the middle of the pack and within a game of .500. 
• Word is that Dave Fleming has played more games this season than Jose Bautista. 
• Based on his recent propensity to be involved in anything 'triple' related; if I told you that Kevin hit three triple in a game this week you'd be thinking Hollingshead wouldn't you?  Well, wrong Kevin.  Kevin Moon turned the trick with a trio of three baggers against the Red Dogs on Tuesday night.  Nice job Mooner!
• The folks that have hit in every game so far this year lost a few members this week namely Routledge, Barton and Armstrong who all missed games.  We're now down to 26 and they are:
• Beer Bros. (3):  Fleming, Doyle, Piellusch
• Blues Brothers (3):  Clark, Argue, Mason
• Brew Jays (1): McCullough
• Dislocated Joints (3):  Moon, Burton, Doucet
• Dodge City Rounders (2):  Peters, The Beechey
• Dog Catchers (2):  Young, Robinson
• Dusty Cleats (1):  Hollingshead
• Grisslies (1):  Casullo
• Draft Kings (2):  Cragg, Stike
• Gruesome Devils (2):  Richards, Basso
• Hot Tub Woody's (3):  Richards, Chiovitti,  Goodin
• Hurtin' Units (0):
• Red Dogs (0):
• Rusty Rebels (3):  Goncalves, Booth
• Tap Masters (1):  Pendlebury, N. 

August Tournament. 

The August Tournament is only a few weeks away and I want to get the "BEER" Division locked down as soon as possible.   Now before anyone gets overly excited, the winning team will NOT get a beer ticket this year which is the same as we did last year.  The reason for this is that we've lowered the entry fee from $20.00 per person to $10.00.  So if you're on a team with 3 or more wins your net loss is less than 5 bucks.  For everyone else (the vast majority) you're ahead of the game.   If you want to be included on a team, please send me an email (dwyerdouglas@gmail.com) as soon as possible.  I will try to circulate through games as well over the next week or so.  And I will harass you.  To avoid harassment, email me.  Thx.

Fun Division Facts!

FACT: Rosters are balanced based on league ratings.
FACT: We try to make every team as “equal” as possible.
FACT: There is 20% more sunshine in the Fun Division.
FACT: No ability level is excluded.
FACT: You can play in the fun division AND a competitive division.
FACT: Registration for the fun division is only $10.00!
FACT: The beer in the fun division has been scientifically proven to be colder.

POLL

The song writing protest was painful.  Actually, I thought the song thing was easier that it turned out to be.  Thank god Rob is back!

 

Stats

It has come to my attention that some people are claiming that I'm being a little overly negative about the plight of our favourite team, the Grisslies.  Apparently everything I write and all the stats are a put down directed at the club.  Weird, considering its my team.  Well I've tried to rectify the situation by using this spot to supply some "Grisslie centric" stats.  You'll notice that its not ALL doom and gloom!  There are some serious bright spots!

Games played in week 13.  You can see from this chart that the Grisslies played 3 games this week, which leads the entire league!  The Gruesome Devils and Hurtin' Units in particular SUCK in this category. 

. 
Occurrences of the letter "D" in player names.  This is a landslide, not even close!!!  The Grisslie players, thanks in large part to Brad Wadden, lead the league in the number of "D's" in player names.  Again, look at the Hurtin' Units!  Why are they even in the league???

Fewest letters in captains names combined.  This was a heated battle.  The Candy's came into this affair very balanced, but Dodge City had Al Fry, the 5-letter man working to their advantage.  There was a little controversy as The Beechey tried to claim that his legal 1st name was actually "The" and steal a victory.  Typical.  Roman settled by verifying his drivers license.  Sorry The Beechey.  And look who is scraping the bottom of the barrel again!  The Hurtin' Units!!!  No games this week, no "D's", captains name are WAY too long!  Give it up boys, you're going nowhere FAST!

Number of words comprising a team name.  The Grisslies once again stand alone as the ONLY team that seems to be able to name a club with just a single word.  Check out the Words Behind Leader column (WBL)  "Dodge City Rounders"?  "Hot Tub Woody's"?  Holy cow guys, write a novel why don't ya. 

TEAM STATS

Its almost time for me to create my OCD page on the BLOG with daily updates on standing and eliminations.  Many of you think I'm crazy.  Many of you are right.  However the 60-80 hits on the BLOG between 9pm and 11pm every night tell me there are a few others in the same boat.  A 5 point lead for the DK's .... not over, but I think the fat lady is starting to warm up. 

More traditional baseball standings surprisingly still show the Draft Kings in 1st place!  You can see here that the Dog Catchers are starting to surge and the Grisslies, despite all the "D's" are unsurging.

You know.....maybe taking 3 friggin hits to score one friggin run is the problem.  Actually, it had been getting better, but the Draft Kings game cost us big time.  Lots of hits but only 3 runs.  I don't know what the measuring stick is for success in this category....time will tell.  But I'm pretty confident that the top 2 are impressive.

1st half standings.  Of course, this won't change.  The only thing that does vary is the colour code.  That will tell you were you are overall vs. your 1st half performance.  The Gruesome Devils are red because they Dropped from 1st to 3rd.  The Draft Kings are green because they rose from a tie for 2nd to 1st.  The Brew Jays are Yellow because they've remained in 2nd. 

And here are the second half standings in comparison (the colour code) to current.  Other than the Draft Kings (still in 1st) and Grisslies (Still in last) the standings in the second half are flipped from actual. 

Yes.....its time.

The elimination chart.  These are the 3 playoff pools.  If your team name shows up in a box they are still alive for that position.  I'll post the tie breaker criteria in the OCD page when I get it opened. 

PLAYER STATS


The Batting Race!  Well, it would appear that the Grisslies three game week has changed the landscape a bit.  I'll admit it, I didn't see this coming either.  Don't worry Scott, there's still plenty of ball left to mount a comeback. 

Okay, that wasn't very nice....but it was kinda funny.  Kinda.  Sorry, I can dream.  Okay, here is The Real batting race!  Rick Hjelholt had a great week to climb to .800 and join Scott as the leagues only .800 hitters.  We still have a large group that could reach .800, keep swinging fellas.

Lets stay with averages.  Here is a look at average in the 3rd quarter of the season (games 13-18), this is closed for about half the teams, but some are still at 16 or 17 played.   Right now, someone is going to have catch fire to wrestle this one away from Randy Rose and he still has a game left!  Harley, sorry buddy.  Your .900 would have won the 1st and 2nd quarter this year, but a you're on a fantastic run and you too have a game left to catch him!

And our last look at average....the Draft Kings are the only team to have played their 19th game so they are they only ones ranked in this category.  I couldn't resist seeing "The Good" DeLand leading the entire league!  Way to go Doug. 

And on to runs.  Chuck and Brian are a mere six runs away from setting a new runs in a season standard.  This is only the second year we've kept the stat so lord knows what the REAL record is; but right now, the record is 47.  Chuck has 5 games left and Brian 7. 

Same as the 3rd quarter average, about 1/2 the teams remain alive in this.  Chuck is in first, but closed.  There are bunch of Joints plus Brian with a chance to run him down!

And once again the Draft Kings are the only team to have played a game in Q4.  And once again its the Doug Friggin DeLand show!!!!

Outside of average is the total hits game.  I like this one because in a normal year I can usually sneak into the bottom of this list where as I have no prayer with averages.  However, this isn't a normal year.  Holy cow, these guys have lots of hits!

You know how you keep Jens from winning this category?  You don't let him play!  Nice Job Anicete, leading the ABs list and on the top 10 for hits list to boot!

Will I AM is on a serious tear.  Emeil is raking.  Brad keeps on being Brad.  This looks like a battle down to the wire. 

Don Slipetz raised his average 8 points this week to narrow the gap on the idle Peter Hayward.  To boot, Don knocked in the winning run in the Dog Catchers huge comeback victory against the Dusty Cleats on Tuesday. 

Sweet Lou.  Playing Center Field AND raising his average 200 points. 

That's it for this week folks.

Things you may have missed this week.  

For the Grisslies Game 17 BLOG, Where is Sue Z Q?- click HERE
For the Grisslies Game 20 BLOG, Chuck Cragg Revisited - click HERE
For the Grisslies Game 18 BLOG, Kevin Hollingshead, Mr. Triple Play - click HERE
For the Hurtin' Units BLOG, click HERE
For the Donini 3 stars, click HERE
For the League Website, click HERE



Game 18 Vs. Dusty Cleats Mr. Triple Play

INTRO:

Donini Deck, Sunday July 21st, 3pm.

Rob:  Hey....how goes?
Doug:   Awesome!
Rob: Cool .... what are you writing about this week?
Doug:   Oh, geez its a busy one!  We've got the Beer Bros., Draft Kings and Dusty Cleats.
Rob:  That's a lot.  You should probably do one about me. 
Doug:   Aren't they ALL about you?
Rob:  Just the good ones I guess
Doug:   I guess. 
Rob:  So seriously.  Is one about me?
Doug:   No.  I'll probably one about big foot sightings, one about kitchen appliances and one about Kevin Hollingshead. 
Rob: Whoa....Hollingshead?  WHY HIM?  I get the appliances and big foot.  But Hollngshead?
Doug:   Yeah.  He's been in on two triple plays in the last couple of weeks. 
Rob:  Big deal!
Doug:   Well, it is kind of a big deal. 
Rob:  Come on, you've been in on triple plays.I've been in on triple plays. 
Doug:   Sure, but in back-to-back games?  You gotta admit that's pretty special. 
Rob:  You're such a loser.  NO ONE CARES ABOUT THIS!.  Write about me!  People will love it.  It'll make that silly CLOG thing of yours popular!  Maybe someone other than your mother will read it.
Doug:   Nah, I think its a legit story. 
Rob:  Geez, I've probably been in on 7 or 8 triple plays since I've been in the league.
Doug:   Really.
Rob:  Yep happens ALL the time!
Doug:   Well, it hasn't happened in the 5 years I've been on the Grisslies, I'd remember.  
Rob:  Wrong.  I had one this year!
Doug: Bull
Rob:  Swear to god.  Runners a 1st and 2nd base and I hit a screamer...
Doug:   Rob...
Rob:  Right at Dave Ague...he takes it and........
Doug:   Robbie....
Rob:  WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Doug:  Kevin didn't hit into 2 triple plays....he fielded them. 
Rob:  Oh! 
                I see. 
                         Well. 
                                 That's kind of a big deal!
Doug:  I know.
Rob:You should write something about that. 

Kevin (He's kind of a big deal)

Last summer I saw Kevin Hollingshead sitting in the stands watching a game.  I felt sorry for him.  He looked lonely, kind of dejected.  He looked like he missed baseball.  I invited to come to the August tournament and play in the beer league.

Mistake.

He damn near killed Dave Fleming who is still trying to chase down that foul ball.

Well it turns out that Kevin did miss baseball.  Missed it so much that he signed up again this year.  Turns out he's still pretty damned good too.  Now sure, this season has seen him have multiple home run games, hes scored 4 runs in a game twice, leads his team in at bats and is playing killer short stop.  But the thing he's most proud of is being in on 2 triple plays this year.

That's pretty unusual.  But this isn't Kevin's first experience with Triples. In fact the guy has been a magnet for the triples, and the number 3 in general pretty much since before his own birth.  Before?  Yeah.  Its not common knowledge, but the name Hollingshead is an old English name from Cheshire that predates the battle of Hastings in 1066.  It means 3 headed sheep.

Hollingshead Heirloom, the family sofa

Kevin was born in Trois-Rivires.  Of course, he was the oldest of Triplets and was raised in a tri-plex on 3rd Avenue.

 Kevin In the Middle with the trowing motion                                        The family triplex

Sadly, he failed grade three; three times, or trois, if you will.  But it was there that he fell in love with sports.  While all the Quebecois children his age were out playing frozen pond hockey in July and August, Kevin found his sport.

Triple Jump

Not only was Kevin skilled at the triple jump, but he also got to wear those really groovy ADIDAS gym shorts with the three stripes down the side.

Finding quality Triple Jump competition in a province know for hockey, maple syrup and losing major league baseball teams was pretty tough.  Clearly there were cultural differences with the whole French thing, so he took this triple-jumping skills to the tri-state area for a full scholarshitp.  It paid off when he got to to compete in the NCAA - Division 3 championships at Three Rivers stadium in Pittsburgh.

Being a college triple jump star is a lot for a young man from Troi-Rivires to deal with.  Before long, he was living life in the fast lane of a 3-series Beemer, drinking Triple Sec and finding he was three sheets to the wind every night.

College life was quickly becoming a three ring circus.  In his last triple jump meet at Three Mile Island, poor Kevin had triple - vision, in the triple digit heat.

It was coming evident that the whole reason for college (learning the three R's) just wasn't working out.  Kevin cleaned it up and joined the Army.  It was one day doing a triple time march that this brainstorm hit him.  "I'm an Athlete", Kevin said to himself.  Athletes need to play sports and make tons of money!  So he got himself a Section - 3 and a discharge from the Army on account of him not being American (you'd think they'd check) and headed off to make his fortune!

Kevin joined the Nike Golf Tour thinking that was the quickest way to PGA.  After a string of triple bogeys on par 3's he gave up.

Then the joined the NBA's "D" league as way to short cut his way to a starting spot in the NBA.  It looked good early for Kevin as he was raining 3's all over the place

And while he led the "D" league in 3 point attempts and was seemingly scoring at will, there was a bit of an issue with defense.

He hoped his third sport would be a charm...you know, 3 times lucky?  So he joined the 3 legged race circuit.  This is ultra competitive racing.

Sadly, injuries befell poor Kevin and despite his dominance in the sport, he was forced to retire early. 

Coming back to Tottenham, he did what most people do....get an a extra large triple triple and relax.  

Then he got back into baseball.  Starting slowly at first in the "SUPER" oldtimers league where they hit with broom handles and don't use gloves.

Then he finally graduated to the "REAL" oldtimers league where he became a triple play legend. 

Now......if he could only play 3rd base.

THE SPEECH

Picking up right where he left off, Rob volunteered a stellar performance of "Stuck In The Middle With You" By Stealer Wheel.   Music HERE

Stuck In The Middle With You

Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that Sallustio just ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off the mound,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down to the ground,
Banks to the left of me,
Short to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.

Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile on my face,
Losing control, yeah, they're hitting all over the place,
Banks to the left of me, 

Short to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're got those 6 wins,
And your pitcher, he just throws backspin,
Slap you on the back and says,
Swing Please......Swing Please.....

Trying to make some sense of Roman's last call,
But I can see that Emeil just hits it to the wall,
Is it cool to now pray for a downpour?
'Cause I don't think that I can take anymore
Banks to the left of me, Short to the right,

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're got those 6 wins,
And your pitcher, he just throws backspin,
Slap you on the back and says,
Swing......Please.... Swing.....

Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that Harley Sherman ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off the legion chair,
And I can't remember if I wore underwear,
  Banks to the left of me,
Short to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you,
Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
Stuck in the middle with you

THE GAME

Forgive me....this is gonna be quick. 

21-7.  There isn't much good to say. Let me hit the highlights. 

The Dusty cleats had the bases loaded in the 1st inning with one out and Doris got us out of it with a double play.  No damage. 

The Cleats went quickly and quietly in the 2nd inning and we had a 2-0 lead after two complete.

Do the math.  In the final 5 innings we were outscored 21-5. 

Ouch. 

We had base runners and  couldn't score them.  We had balls hit right to me and Winston that were inexplicably missed.  We had two adventures on pop ups on the infield.  Not our normal game.

Full value to the Dusty Cleats however.  We won't bemoan our bad plays to slight their victory.  They were led by Bob Pearce who pitched a whale of a game.  He may have issued one walk on the night but kept up hitters off balance by grooving a new hole on the side of the board.  Notable hitters for the Cleats were Hollingshead (figures) who jacked one into the tennis courts and Emeil Edwards who seemed to be on base 35 times in 5 at bats. 

Good game fellas. 

Next up for the Grisslies are the Blues Brothers who are probably a little nervous to face us.  I'm not surprised.  We're pretty dominant. 

Next BLOG is the Saturday weekend edition....see you then!

Game 20 Vs. the Draft Kings - Chuck Cragg revisitied.

***As this is a three game week and writing these BLOGs is a tad time consuming, I've decided to dip into the archives and repost one of my favourites.  Considering the second game of our double header was against the Draft Kings, I've opted to go with the Chuck Cragg Story, originally posted July 1st, 2010***

The Intro

Chuck Cragg.

Where does one even begin with a guy like Chuck?

Everyone knows that Chuck is the class of the league.  As much a gentleman as he is a ball player.  And that doesn't even take in to account the stunning good looks.  But, I guess to really know Chuck, you have to know where he came from.  Its the evolution of Chuck, or as we like to call it; the Chuck-o-lution. We've done a lot of the Question / Answer type format pieces here at The BLOG but Chuck is far too modest to concent to that.  So, we sent our crack research team across the world to dig up the story behind the story.

This rarely seen Cragg family crest was thought lost before his ancestors moved from Italy in the late 1840's.  Most think that Cragg is an Anglo-Saxon name, but you can tell from the family motto (Per Acuta Belli) that it is actually of Italian origin.  It is thought by most historians that the motto (translated; "The Sacred Mountain is Blue"), speaks to Mount Vesuvius or Mount Etna, but there is some speculation that it may be related to another part of the Cragg family that settled in the Rockie Mountains and went into the brewing business.

The Cragg's were a hard working and god fearing family that made a name for themselves in modeling, baseball and the postal service.   Chuck's great great grandmother Maria Bella Cragg was one of the first models in the Sears catalogue.

MARIA BELLA CRAGG MODELING 

REVEALING SWIM WEAR CIRCA 1892 

Chuck's great grand father had a "cup of coffee" with the Philadelphia A's in 1907, getting into 1 game and pitching 1 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs and hitting 2 batters.  He subsequently stormed out of an anger management session and was never seen again. 

Salvatore Domenico Cragg, being tested for steroids before a 1907 game.

So these piece parts helped form the sum of what we know as Chuck Cragg.   

Chuck was born in Fenelon Falls Ontario in August of 1969.  Due to recent privacy changes we can't give out his actual birthday but, he shares the date on the calendar with Ogden Nash (poet), Gene Roddenberry (star trek creator), Willie Shoemaker (jockey), Bobby Richardson (NY Yankee second baseman), Bill Clinton (I swear to God this is true), Gary Gaietti (Minnesota Twins 3rd baseman), Ron Darling (Pitcher), John Stamos (Wikipedia is never wrong) and Matthew Perry (same day AND same year). 

As a child, he was known in "The Jewel of the Kawarthas" for his sharp wit, million dollar smile and canon arm. 

His first job was delivering the Fenelon Falls Gazette at 7 years old.  Sadly, he was fired for "purposefully" drilling newpapers through customers front windows.  To this day, Chuck claims that "the wind caught it".  Thirty one times apparently.

While shagging golf balls at Mitchell's Golf and Country Club one summer, Chuck was "discovered" by John G. Avildsen, the director of The Karate Kid.  After a series of gruelling screen tests, Chuck landed the much coveted part of Johnny Lawrence, the bully that got the crap kicked out of him by Ralph Macchio at the end of the movie.  After the success of the Karate Kid, there was a string of "CBS after school specials", and a guest appearance on "Gimme a Break" where he played Nell Carter's sassy, back-talking, illegitimate son. 

Shortly thereafter, Chuck joined Mark Doyle and Kevin Boston as the backbone of Marky-Mark and the Funky bunch.  While the vanilla hip-hop styling had appeal from the beginning, they didn't really take off until Chuck joined and added a break dancing component to the show.

Ya! Boyee...Chuckie breaks!!!

Sadly, despite chart successes, ridiculous riches and unparalleled fame, the group disbanded over creative differences.  Kevin Boston was quoted as saying, "parting is such sweet sorrow".  Chuck replied with, "speak for yourself Sally, I'm gone, Peace out. Word."

That takes us to "Chuck Cragg - The Missing Years". 

Chuck radically changed during this period and no one knew why.  Until now.  It was only through extensive use of google that we were able to discover what really happened.  Chuck traveled to the furthest reaches of the Arctic, wearing nothing more than a Keswick dinner jacket and a pair of Kodiak's.  When he reached a particularly isolated and barren spot he took the portable tent off of his back and hurled it as far as he could.  With the thin air up there and Chuck's arm; it went a LONG way!  Suddenly there were shining lights in the moonless sky and the tent bag started to sink into the snow.  Shortly thereafter, a large structure began to emerge from the hole left in the snow.  And out of that hole, slowly emerged, "The Big Unit". 

When the ground had finally settled, Chuck went up to his "Unit of Solitude" and opened the door to enter.  Much to his surprise, the fridge was packed with Coors lite.  Being a sensible lad, Chuck took one.  Everytime Chuck took a beer, a holigraphic image of one of his ancestors would appear.  Further to that, the images spoke words of wisdom to him.

There is no way to really know all those tidbits of information that Chuck was able to glean from his ancestors; but its safe to assume that generations worth of knowledge we imparted that made him a leader in both baseball and the mail and parcel delivery service.

Moses was said to have wandered the desert for 40 years.  There is no telling how long Chuck was in the "Unit of Solitude", but rumour has it that the fridge had a magical quality that replenished beer.  With a limitless supply of beer, its not unreasonable to assume that Chuck was there for years.

Chuck emerged from the "Unit of Solitude" a changed man.  No longer the angry former child start, the breakdancer who wasted millions or the failed newspaper delivery boy.  He immediately mended fences with his former band mates and preformed a charity concert in his home town of Fenelon Falls to raise money for the Karate Kid Museum that had fallen into disrepair.

The "new" Chuck joined the Tottenham Oldtimers League and was immediately ranked as a top player.  As many of you know, we rank players 1-12 to ensure that we have balance on all teams.  Its a system that works great.  Last year, a motion was raised at the Annual General Meeting by Rob McCarron asking that we rename the #1 rank to the designation of "The Chuck".  The motion was quickly shot down by Tito Presenza who correctly stated that there can only be one "The Chuck". 

The Speech

Just when you thought that Rob had fallen into a predicable pattern, he steps up and amazes us AGAIN!  This weeks speech entry was written from the "Chuck" prespective and was written in the 1st person.  I gotta tell you that I was a little thrown off by the whole thing, but anytime you get to hear Rob do his Axel Rose impression and that little wiggle dance thingy, its worth the price of admission!  (Click as usual for the tune, but I'm betting even Cheryl knows this Guns and Roses classic!)

Patience

Drank a beer 'cause it’s what I do
My socks are still argyle
Man, I think about turning two every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
But now I play with ease
There is no doubt I’m going to start now

Said, Vonda “take it slow”
Don’t throw to hard to first
All you need is just a little patience
Said Tony, “make the throw”
The team will come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
Patience...

Sittin' here on the bench
'Cause my arm hurts to the bone
At least I can watch Steve Ross gallop like a reindeer
Sometimes, I get so tense
But I can't speed up the time
But you know, The Wild are playing well and that is so clear

Said, Vonda “take it slow”
Don’t throw to hard to first
All you need is just a little patience
Said Tony, “make the throw”
The team will come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
This team has got what it takes to make it
We won't fake it, Oh never break it
'Cause I can't take it

...little patience, mm yeah, ooh yeah,
Need a little patience, yeah
Just a little patience, yeah
Some more patience

(Whistle solo)

I've been playing these games at night
Just trying to get it right
It's hard when the bad hops abound
You know I don't like being stuck in a crowd
And the teams don't change but maybe the name
I always got time for the game
'Cause I need to
Yeah, yeah well I need to
Oh, I need to
Whoa, I need to
Ooh, this ti- me....

THE GAME


Well, the Grisslie Vs. Draft Kings game came down to one play.  And wouldn't you know.  The good DeLand cleared the bases with a stand up triple.  Bugger. 

For the second consecutive game we gave up 15.  But for the first time in a while we didn't score, counting only 3.  In fairness, we were playing the league's #1 defensive club and statistically we made them a little bit better. 

Other than TGDeL's (The Good DeLand) back breaking hit, the Draft Kings leaders with the sticks were Steve Brooks and Stike who both went 4 for 4.  Stike also scored 3 runs joining Chuck Cragg in that category. 

The only runs for the Grisslies were supplied by Dave "The Rabbit" Muirhead and Winston "I need a Nickname" Gayle.  Also scoring was super sub Timmy Two Beer Osmond who did another stellar job. 

Late in the game Jeff Handley or Steve Brooks or some lefty DELIBERATELY hit a line drive to the warning track and off the bare hand of our right fielder.  Had we been less tired there may have been a fight or at least a strongly worded letter.  Anyway, for those of you who inquired, Rick Springfield is doing fine.  However Rick Greenfield (our Right Fielder) is a little sore but fully expects to be at our next game. 

Thanks to Wayne Caldwell for getting the ice so quickly.  As Chuck said, "Wish he got to 1st that fast". 

Hahahaha....no he didn't Wayne.  Don't get mad at Chuck. 

It was Stike that said it. 

Back to the game bullet form. 

• Draft Kings scored 7 in the 1st
• Game over.

Despite the tragic loss and a 2-14-1 record and our elimination from 1st place and 2nd place and 3rd place and 4th place; the team is actually in good spirits and expecting a nice playoff run.

Good game Draft Kings.  Glad you were able to stay awake after getting out to the quick lead.  

Game 17 Beer Bros. - MIA

PRE INTRO

This BLOG edition will only deal with Grisslies Vs. Beer Bros. game from Tuesday night, which was the front end of the double header.  We're going to pretend game 2 never happened.  You will see the score updated on the right and perfect nights listed, but there will be no BLOG update, 3 stars or Grisslie schedule update until tomorrow.  That's when we'll dissect Grisslies Vs. Draft Kings game with a re-release of a very special story that many of you would have missed from 

INTRO

TOTTENHAM, ON. – Al Fry once famously quit the Grisslies, without ever coaching a game, by scribbling "I resign as Captain of the Grisslies" on a piece of paper.

The Grisslies most attention-seeking fan, "Sue-Z-Q", aka meat packer and cutter Susan Farah, used 275 words to do essentially the same thing. In a self-penned column in the Tottenham Weekly paper, the "Titillating Tattletaler", the free newspaper handed out mostly at restaurants and ball games.  Sue-Z-Q announced she will no longer attend games.  Farah became famous for leading the "G-R-I-S-S-L-I-E-S, Gris, Gris, Gris" chants at home games while wearing a bloody butchers apron.

Sue-Z-Q cited the worsening of conditions at Grisslie games due to opposing player objections to in game strategies.  But that isn't' all.

A similar stunt was pulled by Sue-Z-Q's daughter Michelle several years ago.  And while on the surface, this might look similar....here is where they veer in completely different directions.

There have been numerous attempts to get Sue-Z-Q to games.  They've all seemingly failed.  The excuses have been many; Its too hot; its too cold; its too buggy; its too late; its too early; its raining; Idol is on; its cloudy; there's too many stars....it was always something. .

And the Grisslies win - loss record reflected the absence (unlike with the daughter).  Finally, Robert Farah took things into his own hands.

I got up this morning to have my (two scoops of) Raisin Bran.  Then as usual I got the milk from the fridge.  Between the milk carton and cereal box, there is usually enough to read until the cereal is done.  Not on this day however. 

If that wasn't enough....I saw this sign posted all around town. 

It's a circus perhaps only the G-R-I-S-S-L-I-E-S could create.  Perhaps.  Rob is certainly pulling out all the stops to have Susan show up for playoff games.  The team remains guardedly optimistc.

Doris:  "We'd love to have her back!  For sure!  Speaking of backs, I've got a nagging little ache...."
Gord:  "Sue?  Ummmmm.  Sorry, I've been really concentrating on 1st base.  I don't remember".
Glen:  "I hope she comes back....she's schmirov-awesome!

Rob even got the kids involved in trying to find Sue and get her back to games.  He created (because he's creative) a "Where's Suzie?!?!" poster.

"Where's Suzie?!?!"

If you see Susan, please return her to Rob.  The Grisslies miss her and Rob's getting Hungry.

THE SPEECH.

Doug: Well the people have spoken. 
Rob:   Really?  What did they say?
Doug: They are overwhelmingly in favour of you doing the songs again.  I'm kind of surprised that I didn't even get a single vote.  I thought the One Tin Soldier song was pretty good. 
Rob:   It was okay.  But, thanks anyway, I'm retired. 
Doug: Come on Rob, enough is enough.  You've gotta do the songs....I suck at it.
Rob:   I know. 
Doug: Nice.  But could you PLEASE come back and do it?
Rob:   Okay, but its going to cost you. 
Doug: What?
Rob:   I want a carton of smokes.
Doug:   Shut up!  Come on, that's kind of rich.  How about next time I'm up at my folks I get you a carton of aboriginal smokes?
Rob:   Like Dancing Queen?
Doug: What?
Rob:   Fernando?  Chiquitita?  Knowing Me; Knowing You?
Doug:  What are you talking about?
Rob:   Abba Originals.  Are those the songs you want?
Doug:  No, not Abba Originals....Aboriginal!  As in "native".
Rob:   Oh....I don't know any native songs but I'll see what I can come up with. 

And with Rob's protest FINALLY over, he came back with a vengence.  And while he couldn't find a truely native song, he did find something with a bit of a native flare.  I'll save the tittle as a surprise, but I think you'll find that Rob has quickly fallen right back into singing about what he knows best.  Rob.  This is a classic, follow HERE for the words and music. 

HIGH SPEED

My wife married a pure Grisslie

My neighbourhood family were so proud of me

The Dusty Cleats said I was fast and raw

The Brew Jays just watched me play and remained in awe

[CHORUS:]

High Speed, that's all I ever heard

High Speed, My feet got so blistered

High Speed, he's so good they warned

No one faster than me since the day I was born

We never settled, always winning in our town

When you're this fast you can't hang around

The Gruesome Devils never laughed at me

"We can't throw out, what we can't even see"

[Repeat Chorus]

High Speed, that's all I ever heard

High Speed, My feet got so blistered

High Speed, he's so good they warned

No one faster than me since the day I was born

Out ran Pendlebury and he felt ashamed

Winston eats my dust, he's got no one to blame

My life is easy being the worlds fastest man

But I can't run when my shoes are aflame.

[CHORUS:]

High Speed, that's all I ever heard

High Speed, My feet got so blistered

High Speed, he's so good they warned

No one faster than me since the day I was born

THE GAME

Well the Beer Bros. and Grisslies combined for a record for 4-16-2 over their last 22 games combined.  FYI:  That's not particularly good.  However, you would think that the proximity in the standings would lend itself to a close game. 

You'd think.

The game started innocently enough with the Grisslies counting one in the first on consecutive hits by Gayle, Dwyer and Farah.  And things got really bright for the Grisslies when the Beer Bros. did the favour of going in order in their half of the inning. 

The Grisslies would score nothing in the second, but then the wheels came off.  The Beer Bros. would only need to send 8 men to the plate to count 7 in their half and take control of the game.   Scoring in the inning were Kapp, McCarron, McKendrick, Ross, Bales, Fleming and Osmond. 

While the Grisslies mounted a spirited come back in the 7th inning and got as far as the tying run reaching the on deck circle, the game was never in any real serious doubt. Make the final of one 15-11.

And so the Beer Bros. would be the first of the two teams to get their 3rd win since May the 16th and in doing so won a bottle of Donini from Grisslies captains.  It should be stated that getting a gun from Charlton Heston's cold dead hand would be a might easier than getting Rob to part with the bottle of Donini. 

The Beer Bros. continue to be a fun and fair team to play against, not to up, not to down and plenty of banter both ways.  I do feel a tiny bit bad for Marky, you're right, the play was at second. 

Of note in this one....Rob McCarron made a heck of a catch in left center where he had to run in a long way with two out and runners on.  That was when the game was still in doubt.  He followed that up by going 4 / 4 and legitimately hitting for the cycle (no errors).

Good game guys!

Week 12 Stats

The Beer Cup Week 12

CE QUI?

Le CHIEN ROUGE, Encore????

Let's recap shall we?  The Red Dogs have won 4 games this year.  If it weren't for the Grisslies they'd be mopping the basement.  But in half of their wins they have wrestled the Beer Cup from the firm grip of the defending club.  

With this win, the Red Dogs become the first team to have captured the flag twice in the same season!

This week they'll have to defend against the Dislocated Joints who will also be looking to become two time holders of the cup.  If they get by the Joints they'll have to deal with the Dog Catchers. 

    

Teams that have held the Beer Cup(7)

• Beer Bros.
• Hot Tub Woody's
• Dislocated Joints
• Dodge City Rounders
• Red Dogs (2)
• Brew Jays 
• Blues Brothers

Teams that have defended the Beer Cup(2)

• Dislocated Joints (4)
• Brew Jays (2)

Teams that have yet to play for the Cup(6)

• Dog Catchers
• Dusty Cleats
• Draft Kings
• Rusty Rebels
• Tap Masters

League Tid Bits:

• Kevin Hollingshead (Yawn) was in on ANOTHER triple play this week.  We play them this week coming.  We may have to have a treat in store for him. Hope his wife is able to scan those baby pictures!
• This past week had a lot of tightly contested ball games with 8 of the 12 games decided by 5 or fewer runs and 3 ending in ties. 
• I'm not saying it was TOO hot out, but I was thinking of trip to a dessert to cool down. 
• I won't name the team....but I saw an infield fly, a routine one at that, become a triple play this week.  (no Kevin had nothing to do with it)
• The Draft Kings pink shirts are 2 and 0.  They might be in the bag for an emergency in September.
• Standings anomaly #1:  The Brew Jays are a point out of first with a 12-5 record.  Very nice.  They have a +13.  The team ahead of them is a +80 and the team behind them is a +76.  Me thinks that these guys have gotten very accustomed to playing tightly played close games.  That will bode well for the playoffs. 
• Standings anomaly #2:  The Rusty Rebels at first blush are nothing special with a 6-10 record and sitting in 11th place.  However, at 4 games under .500 their -1 doesn't seem to fit either.  I think this is one team that is much better than their record. 
• Standings anomaly #3:  The Hurtin' Units record of 8-7-1 is good enough for 6th place overall.  However, they have lost 5 one run games so far this season.  With 5 more runs in strategic spots the Grisslies might have another win.  With 5 more runs the Units would have 5 more ties and 5 more points and be sitting in 3rd.  With 10 more runs they'd be in 1st place.  They are starting to look like a team that could make a lengthy playoff run.  
• The consecutive game with a run streak is OVER at 15 games!  In game #16 Chuck Cragg was held off the score sheet by the Dodge City Rounders.  I don't think he liked it too much.  He took it out on the Woody's going 5 for 5 and scoring 4 times.  
• Lets look at the players who have hit in every game.  When I first published the list of players who hit in every games, the numbers dropped off quickly.  Hopefully this doesn't jinx any of you.  
• Beer Bros. (3):  Fleming, Doyle, Piellusch
• Blues Brothers (3):  Clark, Argue, Mason
• Brew Jays (1): McCullough
• Dislocated Joints (3):  Moon, Burton, Doucet
• Dodge City Rounders (2):  Peters, The Beechey
• Dog Catchers (2):  Young, Robinson
• Dusty Cleats (1):  Hollingshead
• Grisslies (1):  Casullo
• Draft Kings (3):  Routledge, Cragg, Stike
• Gruesome Devils (2):  Richards, Basso
• Hot Tub Woody's (4):  Richards, Chiovitti, Barton, Goodin
• Hurtin' Units (0):
• Red Dogs (0):
• Rusty Rebels (3):  Goncalves, Booth, Armstrong
• Tap Masters (1):  Pendlebury, N. 

SCHEDULING NOTICE

In order to accommodate multiple schedule and vacation complexities, we made some scheduling changes late on Friday.  Members of the Gruesome Devils, Grisslies, Hurtin' Units and Draft Kings please take notice. 

The Gruesome Devils Vs. Hurtin' Units game originally scheduled for Tuesday July 23rd at 8:15 PM has been moved to August 27th at 8:15 PM at C3. 

The Draft Kings Vs. Grisslies game originally scheduled for August 1st was moved to July 24th at 9:30 PM at Keogh.  This game has subsequently been moved to the spot vacated in by the Gruesome Devils and Hurtin' Units.  The Grisslies will now be playing a double header on Tuesday July 23rd on C2.  7:00pm vs Beer Bros. and 8:15 vs Draft Kings. 

Thanks to all captains for accommodating on short notice and ensuring that we didn't lose any games. 

BLOG STATS

Blog stats?  What the hell?  Yeah, indulge me.  Or skip it.  Its up to you.  I find this stuff kind of interesting. The Map below shows where the last 500 visitors to the BLOG have come from

I don't really understand why we have so many regular hits from Europe, but I suspect that the Tottenham Hotspur's Football Club may have something to do with it.  As for the rest of the world hits?  No idea.

I didn't keep BLOG stats in 2009 (I know, I feel the shame); but here is what it looks like for the past four years.

Average Hits Per Day As of July 19th of Each Year

• 2010 - 38.07
• 2011 - 113.76
• 2012 - 144.81
• 2013 - 123.58

Biggest Days so far 2013

•   622 hits, April 22nd (after the 2nd of the prediction BLOGs)
•   544 hits, July 6th (The week 10 stats BLOG)
•   441 hits, April 13th (after the 1st of the prediction BLOGs)

How People Get To The BLOG

• #1 - Google Search
• #2 - From Tottenham Oldtimers website
• #3 - From Facebook Links
• #3 - Directly (they either know the address or have it saved as a favourite

Bored yet?  Okay, onto the baseball stats. 

TEAM STATS

The regular old standings with the regular old Draft Kings in 1st and the regular old Grisslies in last. 

Some subtle the differences.  The Hurtin' Units move from 6 to a 5th place tie with the Woody's when looking at GBL.  The Rebels move down 2 by GBL.  My top 6 prediction for the Rusty Rebels is starting to look pretty bad.  Come on fellas!

Same as last week with this one...only 2 teams that are managing to score with less than 2 hits. 

Two new stats!  Now that the Blues Brothers have finally played enough games, the first half of the season is closed.  These are the final standings for everyone's first 12 games.  The 1st column (Rank) shows where you finished in the 1st half (ie. Tap Masters tied for 7th).  The second column (CUR) shows where you are in today's standings (1st chart above).  If its yellow, your current position in the standings is the same as your 1st half position.  If its green your current position is better than your 1st half.  If its red your current position is worse than your 1st half.

Confused?  Try writing it. 

Now this is where everyone gets a clean slate and a do over.  You can track your team's second half record against everyone else.  And look at those Dodge City Friggin' Rounders!!!!  Here is an example of where GBL is so much more accurate and telling than points.  Dodge would be in 3rd if I did this by points.  And look at those Grisslies with the EXACT same winning percentage in the 2nd half as the 1st half (.167).  You can't buy that kind of consistency.

So how bad are the Grisslies?  We're a 1/4 of a game back of a team that's 0-2. 

I honestly thought I'd be writing about the Grisslies gracious exit from the battle for 1st place in this space.  But the rumours of our demise have been greatly exaggerated!  Well, maybe not greatly.  By virtue of our epic tie against the Gruesome Devils coupled with the Rounders stunning defeat of the Draft Kings; we have held on for another week!  With a 3 game week ahead of us all we need to do is beat the defending champion Beer Bros., The 1st place Draft Kings and the Dusty Cleats while the Woody's knock off the Draft Kings in their rematch and we'll stay alive for another week. 

INDIVIDUAL STATS

The Gruesome Devils, Brew Jays and Draft Kings lead in games played, so this shouldn't be a big surprise.  We might have a Grisslie getting on this list in the next couple of weeks. 

Ok, this charts batting between game 13 and 18 of your team.  You must be averaging 3 at bats per game to make the list.  The leader in the 3rd quarter of last season was Jamie.  Brad Young won the 1st quarter of this year and Scott Barton won Q2.  We have 3 at 1.000 right now, but the Blues Brothers have only played on game on the quarter.  Harley Sherman however is on torrid run right now!  Keep it up!

Well then.  I'm not willing to declare this "over", but its getting pretty damned close isn't it? An 88 point lead?  Yowza.  So, I don't want to depress anyone, but if Robin Dickson goes 4 for 4 for the rest of the season he'll end up batting .868.  That means of course that Scotty would have to come back to the pack.  Sure.  Of course he will.  Hitting .885 is ridiculous right?  Well over the last three years Scott has gone 201/224 for an average of .897.  So.  The .885 he's hitting now is a little under what he's accustomed to.  He's made 23 outs over the past 3 YEARS.  For the record we have 37 players in our league who have made 23 or more outs THIS YEAR and 2 of them are all stars.  Scott's in his own league batting.

There were too many guys tied at 10 to include.  Terry's got a good shot at this one as he bats higher in the order than Scott does.  But watch out for Brad who's been hitting lead off.

Mike has 3 more games remaining on this list before he won't have enough ABs to qualify.  Or, he begins the miracle comeback....I'm hoping that's the answer.  Meanwhile, Al "papa" Hayward continues to amaze week after week.  This week saw another 4/4, 2 run performance.  Not bad on a humid night after climbing trees.  The rest of the list is solid.  I guess Len is still dining out on last year's championship champagne with with Lou.  Those two are have the best post championship season of their former team mates. 

Peter "junior" Hayward slipped a little this week.  He still leads in total hits, but Slipitz, Clouthier and Greenfield are right on his tail for averages. 

Runs, pretty much like hits in the quarter except there is no minimum number of at bats to qualify.  15-16 looks like the magic number and with one game left Brian Richards needs 2 runs to get there. 

The total runs scored for the season number of 47 is going to fall.  The question is by how much it will be beaten by and by how many people. 

This race is NOT over!  Winston Gayle is having a lights out season at the plate AND with the glove.  8 sophomores over the .700 mark.  Outstanding!

Things you may have missed this week. 
For the Grisslies Game 15 BLOG, Gruesome - click HERE
For the Grisslies Game 16 BLOG, Brew Jays and HTKP recap - click HERE
For the Hurtin' Units BLOG, click HERE
For the Donini 3 stars, click HERE
For the League Website, click HERE