There was some talk that the Bad Gnus actually began their season last week. I contend that was simply an exhibition game. Missing 7 regulars and certainly without a blog correspondent, could it actually take place? Many philosophers have pondered this and many young monks have traversed mountains in Tibet to ask this very question... If a game happens at a park and the Big Sexy misses it, does it really happen at all? I think nay. Therefore, opening night 2007 took place on the cutest and best set of twins birthday underneath fair skies on a glorious spring evening.
The night started off as beautifully as it could for the Bad Gnus. The official announcement from season-long MVP, Bill Appleton that his sister was sending a check to cover league fees, he had hats for the guys and visors for the ladies and a ice chest packed with frosty Samuel Adams started the night off right. "Brewer. Patriot. Bad Gnu." (copyright 2007). Despite the numerous visors on the field making the Bad Gnus appear like a co-ed team, Greg laid in strike after strike, mowing the Long Islanders down in order in the first. In fact, through 3 innings, the Long Islanders had only one baserunner. When the Gnus came to bat in the first, it was clear they meant business. Taking a historical number of walks (3) in the first inning, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead. After 3 innings, the slought was on. A 7-0 lead that felt like 17-0.
Longtime Bad Gnus, people who may read this blog or just the occasional dude that hangs out in the park mumbling to himself all know that no lead is too big for the Bad Gnus. They can come from ahead with the best of them. The Gnus did not disappoint. Behind some shaky fielding, some good hits and an atrocious call at the plate, the Islanders had come all the way back to take a 9-7 lead after 5. Not sure what the deal was with the umpire and the call at the plate. He looked like a cross between Droopy Dog and the corpse of Rosemary Clooney who had been crying ever since Matlock was taken off the air. Apparently the 24 consecutive hours of visine this guy was pouring into his eyes made it very difficult for him to see that Keith's throw from the outfield and Kevin's scoop beat the Islander's pivotal run by two steps. (I always have the feeling that Kirk expects me to be ejected any time I talk to the umpires, be it softball, little league, basketball or mud wrestling - but I never have.) Following that call, a booming triple off the glove of Seanny McD gave the Islanders the lead.
As the home team, the Bad Gnus were in prime position for a typical pull-it-out-of-our-hatses victory. In the bottom of the six, Mike hit the first infield home run in Bad Gnus history. After his hard hit ball bounced off the third baseman's noggin and into left field, Mike raced (two words I don't often type next to each other) to second. Seeing the third baseman still on the ground and the ball slightly over thrown, Mike took third with a dive. That ridiculous sight, created another overthrow. Mike popped up and scored. The resulting momentmum from that exciting play that cut the lead to 9-8 was just a couple of outs to end the inning. Yawn.
In the 7th, the Bad Gnus only trailed by one. Weisy led off with a sharp single and Howard followed with the same. After Kevin loaded the bases with one out, the Gnus were in the drivers' seat as the heart of the order was coming up to end the game. I didn't have a very good view of exactly what happened next, but I've been told we lost the game 9-8. A pretty good effort for week 1!
Notables:
Sam Adams Player of the Game: I don't remember him making any defensive plays. I do think he got a hit. But it didn't matter what happened on the field. Bill Appleton brought beer, hats and a $30 break to all the Gnus (which they will likely just turn around and spend on more beer). Huzzah!
Sam Adams Summer Brew Defensive Play of the Game: A key 6th inning double play on a ground ball to Pete to Moebs to Appleton looked like something from the middle of the season. He may have been safe, but Blinky McPinkeye didn't have the heart to get us on another close call.
First blood of the year: Mike thought he had this wrapped up when he bled diving into third. Though he did bleed from four different places, he was not the winner. Mike had the second best odds to bleed first on the season, just after Kevin. The third favorite to bleed first was Bill Moebs. The oddsmakers specifically thought Bill was endanger around glass bottles and uneven ground after the ballgame. However, Bill skinned his knee earlier in the game at a play at second base and took home the coveted first blood award.
Next Game: Monday, April 16 at 6:45 vs. the Silver Bullets. Coors Light... nigga, please.
1 comment:
Very funny stuff, B.S. I like how you skipped over the last part of the sixth inning - I don't think I had a good view of what was going on either. It's hard to have a good view when your head is pulled so far out of the box that all you see is Droopy. Anyway, the first game is under our belts with many more to come. Go Gnus!
Post a Comment