Gnus Lose Another Close One

Biting fingernails is one of the Big Sexy's many bad habits. Losing all these one run games has got to be tough on my cuticles. Maybe I'll have to join Clayton on his next manicure appointment. I will not be joining him for his monthly Brazilian, however. I'll keep my waxing to "waxing poetic" here on your favorite blog.

While the Bad Gnus are waiting around for their bats to wake up, their surprisingly stingy defense has been keeping them in games. Two weeks ago was the best defensive game in the long history of the Gnus, at least in this writer's short memory. There were double plays, multiple outs at the plate and three spectacular defensive plays. Doug made an excellent lunging grab on a liner to first with the bases loaded. Newcastle Player of the Game Kirk Giberson shocked everyone by getting the khaki's dirty, diving for grounder up the middle and getting the force at second to end another bases loaded threat. Sean followed all that up with a full-on, laid out, diving catch in the outfield to snuff out another rally. There hasn't been that many Gnus laying face down at Arden Park since the last Concert in the Park. The Bad Gnus only surrended three runs in seven innings. Unfortunately, that's all the Long Islanders would need.

This week didn't have quite the defensive prowess, but emergency starting pitcher Maves and relief pitcher Wormald threw a remarkable number of strikes and the defense kept it close. After Newcastle Player of this Game, Howard Hughes hit a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 6th, it appears that the Bad Gnus would finally be drinking celebration ale after the game instead of the bitter loser's lager they have enjoyed the previous weeks. Unfortunately, the Silver Bullets, with only their weak-ass Coors Light waiting for them, put together a rally in the top of the 7th. The stage was set for a dramatic bottom of the 7th win! The first couple of batters reached base awaiting their triumphent dash for home. Clayton smashed one to third, but still unable to sacrifice the rooster to the hitting gods, could not get a hit. Tuesday Ted had the last chance to be the hero. He fought off the first pitch for a foul pop to the bleachers behind the first base dugout. The next pitch was another sinker that he once again fouled off to the bleachers. Wouldn't you know, the pitcher once again went to the same sinker and Teddy Ballgame ended the ballgame with a foul pop to the bleachers. I honestly don't think Ted could hit the ball there if he tried. On the plus side, he's much more likely to actually take a pitch this year than do that again.

I think next week will really be the week for the Bad Gnus... See you Tuesday at 6:45!

Season Wakes Up Slowly, Groggy

Not much of a surprise for long time fans and followers of the Bad Gnus, but the team stumbled out of the gate a bit on a beautiful, early Spring day in Arden Park. Not mentioning the unfortunate outcome of the game there were some positives and negatives to highlight in game 1 of the 2008 season.

Let's start with the positives...

1. We had 10 people at least 10 minutes before game time. Last Spring, attendance was a big issue and it looks like we are on the right track so far.

2. Only one Gnu fell for (well, actually one one admitted to falling) for Mike's April Fool's joke about adopting cute little Phoc Yu Maves. We decided against it as it would've split up Phoc for her twin, Phoc Mi. (John - I'm kidding again.)

3. Showing trademark resilency, the Bad Gnus rallied from a 9-1 deficit after 5 innings to make it a close game, losing 9-7. Dang... I wasn't going to mention the outcome.

Now, a few negatives...

1. The first time or two through the lineup, the Bad Gnus looked like their layoff was closer to 8 years than 8 months. The bats will come though. The last couple innings showed we had some solid hits in us. We even had several nice bats in our arsenal for game one. Warning... Howard will not be at the next game.

2. No one brought beer to opening day. Dudes! Above all else, our ice chest needs to outperform our opponent's ice chest. I'm just glad I didn't have time to stay for one anyway or this post might has started with this transgression. I'm manning up and bringing next week.

3. During the middle of the game, I noticed that of the 3 women that were at the game, only new fan, Kristin Calderon was on our side of the bleachers. Sure, she might have been trying to figure out how we spell "Phoc" for the quilt she was making for me, but she was still representing on our side. Two other women were sitting behing the other team's bench, looking into the sun. It is usually much later in the evening that the women of the Bad Gnus switch teams. Let's hope that kind of shenanagans doesn't continue unless it is a veiled attempt to sneak beers out of the oppositions ice chest.

Newcastle Player of the Game - As the committee mulled this over, they kept coming back to Clayton Smith as the obvious choice. First, he brought a new bat. It might be the only legal bat we have for next week. Second, Clayton is this year's first Gnu to bleed as he ripped his fingernail while giving himself a manicure between innings. He's trying to say it happened while making an error at second base. Either way, not manly. Keep the right hand for throwing and high fiving during the games. Last and most importantly, Clayton was the first person to hand Mike a check after the game. Way to go Clayton, this Newcastle's for you!

Next game is Monday, April 7 at 6:30. Don't forget to bring me $30. Sadly, we are no longer sponsored and need to pick up our own tab.

To finish up enjoy this picture of Seanny Mac a couple months back in Kauai and pretend you are on that cliff instead of reading these words at your desk...