Commish Corner – Week 2, or is it 3!
This is a periodic report when we have interesting happenings on the field – enjoy!
Top News
- All games were played this week – wow, no rain!
- Pad’s write-up challenges Cards’ for humor!
- This is one amazing batting session – must see – draft this guy to Legends!
Legend of the Week!
Rookie Brian Billow, for his ultra key 2-run GWRBI as well as two running grabs on tough balls in right field to kill opposition rallies. If we had some shaving cream and a towel, he would have gotten an "MLB pie" in the face! A close second: Zach Tatum, for his lights out, no earned runs pitching performance in the first five innings of the game as well as his timely double late in the game to help insure the win.
We like the custom hat!
Game 1
Padres / Expos / Expos 11-6Padre’s Perspective:
The Padres continued their notorious reputation for slow starts to the season. It is no secret that the Padres like to eat, drink, and vacation during the offseason and upper management has definitely taken notice. "Every year, these guys look slow and confused the first couple of games." "They show up out of shape...their uniforms don't fit any more...its like they just stepped off a cruise ship." "But, I'm not about to start benching anyone yet because every year, they turn it around at just the right time."
Highlights for the day included Ryan going 4-4 with three runs scored, Kenny going 2-4 with a rare....I mean asteroid hitting earth rare....walk, Paul 3 for 3 with a walk, and Jeff contributing a solid 8 cigarettes on the day.
Have another drink Padres...we have another 5 or so weeks until the playoffs.
Game 2
Cards / Thunder / Cards 4-1Cards’ Perspective:
CARDINALS LIGHTNING TOPS THUNDER
What happens when your team is limited to two hits, 12 strikeouts, and only 6 balls hit out of the infield? If you’re the Cardinals, you win. Led by a soaring, majestic 3-run shot from temporary interim (and still undefeated) manager “Casey” Britt, the Cards followed with solid pitching and steady defense to quiet the Thunder, 4-1. Two first inning walks preceded the cloud-scraping blast, emptying both the bases and the grateful Cardinals’ bench, who greeted their beloved slugger with unrestrained joy. “He’s carried this team since the day he arrived,” gushed starting pitcher Jason Raszxkquzksckszkski. “I wanted to name my baby after him.” Jason pitched 3 solid innings, and would have had a hit and RBI if not for an uncharacteristic baserunning blunder by an unnamed Cardinal (cough…Daniel Diaz..cough). He was followed on the mound by Chris Lumley, the only other Cardinal to manage a clean hit, who kept the Thunder bats quiet through the 5th. Joel “Baby Doc” Davidson pitched the last four like Mariano Rivera. He also hit like Mariano Rivera, but provided an exciting insurance run in the 7th by winding up on 2nd after a dropped 3rd strike, then scoring on an interference play at 3rd.
Baby Doc’s day was just one example of a Cards player contributing to an all-around effort: Diaz couldn’t run but he sure could play the outfield. Nifty outfield grabs were also made by Major John Moore, Friar Tuck, Mr. Jordan, and the omnipresent force that was Gerry Britt. Solid infield play from Wirthless, Papa Doc, and Da Bear turned hits into outs and kept singles from becoming doubles.
Staples played his usual stellar game behind the dish, earning an indulgence from his beneficent manager after 4 innings and taking it easy at 1B while his idol put on a clinic at catcher. “I’ve played with Gerry for nine seasons and I never get tired of watching him or listening to his useful and informative advice in the dugout,” said Staples. Britt’s post-game media comments were typical of his low-key, unobtrusive style: “I just try to go out there, quietly do my job, and let my natural talents and leadership abilities blaze the path to victory for my teammates. They love me for it, and tell me so regularly. It’s a bit embarrassing, to be honest. But completely understandable.”
Next up for the Cardinals: Gerry Britt Bobblehead Day vs. somebody, somewhere, sometime next Sunday. Tickets still available!
Thunder’ Perspective:
The newly rebuilt Thunder lost 4-1 sunday but certainly opened some eyes when they were able to no-hit the Cards after the 1st inning. The Thunder started early at the plate but we not able to drive in any runs with the bases loaded and no outs. The Cards took advantage of some early mistakes on the mound as 4 batters were walked and also surrendered a 3 run home run in the bottom of the first. The Thunder changed gears early and called the newly added Brian Colbert to the mound. What followed were 4 beautiful innings, 8 K's 0 hits 1 walk. The Cards could not catch up with that heat!!! The bats were silenced on both sides for most of the game. The new Thunder SS and Pitcher Jordan Klein threw a gem after he took the mound in the 6th and would not surrender a hit before he finished the game 3 K's 0 hits 1 walk. However the Cards did manage to score their final run on one of the ugliest plays you'll ever see in the game. On an uncaught third strike that resulted with the runner on second with the help of a couple of bad throws. This runner would eventually tag up from second on a pop fly to right field and score. The runner was tagged out at home but was awarded the run because of an obstruction call at third base when the throw came in from right, the 3rd baseman collided with the runner trying to field the ball. The Thunder could only manage to put one run on the board as most of the team left their bats sitting on their shoulders. Both teams pitched great games. Some early rust at the plate, but the Thunder should be thrilled with the addition of 2 excellent pitchers and a pretty solid defense. Once these Thunder bats wake up, Look out!!
Game 3
BlackSox / Hurricanes / Hurricanes 5-2BlackSox’ Perspective:
Blacksox vs. defending champion Hurricanes
"I love playing these guys" seems to be the general sentiment around the Blacksox team. The Hurricanes always pose a threat and there seems to be a consistent rivalry growing between these 2 talented teams. Great pitching battles and back and forth scoring is becoming the norm when these teams match up. The hurricanes once again edged out the Blacksox, a reminder of last spring's championship game.
There is a lot of new talent on this Blacksox team that has only 5 players returning from the spring. Tim proved to be deadly at the plate going 2-2 showing his son Timmy (a transfer from last year's Hillies) how to do things. Newcombers Chris, Dallas, and Steve came up with great hits. Steve also executed a beautiful sacrifice bunt in the 4th inning to take a 1 run lead. Newcomber Logan proved to be an exellent pitcher and a real threat to the rest of the league.
Leader and lead off hitter Gary went 2-3 with 4 stolen bases and played 3 solid innings as catcher to Vinnie's 1 run solid pitching performance. Gary also came in to relieve pitch with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 8th inning and closed the 9th allowing 0 runs. He is Blacksox MVP of the week and a viable candidate for Legend of the Week (even though a loss)
Canes’ Perspective:
In a rematch of last season's 19+ Division Championship game, the Hurricanes met the Black Sox at the beautiful South County diamond in Lorton on a perfect morning for baseball. And as it turned out, just like the championship game last season, the two teams turned in what will probably be one of the most exciting games in Legends this season.
Though both teams lost a few key players in the off-season, the game was another great pitching duel, with neither team mustering many hits or runs over the first six innings. Each team resorted to depending on the other's errors and some "small ball" bunting and stealing, which the Black Sox performed better through that initial six inning stretch, providing them with a 2-1 advantage over the Canes. That is, until Legends rookie Brian Billow delivered a big 2-out, 2-RBI double for the Hurricanes to put them ahead 3-2 and for what would prove to be the game winning RBI. Closer Alex Budnik then shut the door on the Black Sox bats from there on out, giving up no runs and allowing just one hit for the final four innings, while the Canes added two runs in the late innings to seal the deal and earn their first victory of the season, 5-2.
Defense was markedly better this week with the biggest improvement being in the outfield where important catches by Eric Ottenheimer, Mark Summa (another Legends rookie) and two key put-outs by the aforementioned Brian Billow helped kill two opposition rallies with multiple runners in scoring position and served to shore up what was a pretty questionable part of the defense from Week 1. Improvement was also seen in the pitching staff, who were "spot on" this week with Zach Tatum (yet another Legends rookie!) and Alex Budnik holding the opposition to NO earned runs over 9 innings.
"We got a nice offensive effort from Eric, Ben, Zach and Brian this week to put enough runs on the board to post a "W" for this week, but 5 runs isn't going to be enough to successfully defend our championship" noted Manager Greg Budnik, who had to put on the catcher's gear for the entire 9 innings due to the team's regular catcher Glenn Wright being absent due to a Saturday night hangover. "Glenn is going to have to run poles for a couple weeks to make amends for putting my knees through two games behind the plate though ... I hope he's ready for that".
Footnote: Proving that both managers "heard" the League Office during the Winter Meetings when it came to getting a game played efficiently and within time frame, the full 9-inning game was completed in an exemplary and expedient 2 hours, 42 minutes. So - yes, folks - it is possible to finish 9 full in less than 3 hours in Legends Baseball when you set your mind to it!
Game 4
Redlegs’ Perspective:
It was a total team victory against the Rebels, final score 8-2. We all equally had 4 plate appearances and all equally contributed offensively and defensively for the win. Great job!!
The pitching was outstanding with Chris hurling 4-2/3 strong innings, giving up just 1 ER and picking up the win. Ryan was also outstanding in closing it out in a non-save situation.
Great defense in the field with solid play up the middle from Ryan, Jen and Dino. Outstanding job in Right from Bobby who made a couple of great catches and closing down the gap.
Offensive put up runs early with Ken going 2 for 3, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB; Nelson 1 for 2, R, RBI, BB, HPB; Rich 1 for 2, R, 2BB; Bobby 1 for 3, R, RBI, HPB; Ryan 1 for 4, R, RBI, ROE; Brian 1 for 4, R, RBI; Chris 1 for 4, 2B, 2RBI.
New Redleg Jen - “Nice try, but I don’t think so!”
Game 5
Nationals / FireFighters / Nats 11-2 (forfeit)------
Story and pictures courtesy “the Commish” with game reports by the managers