A Game For the Ages! Smith Leads Team in Thrilling Fashion

In what is already being called an instant Charlie Brown Classic and the Greatest Wiffle Ball Game Played, Andrew Smith plucked the hero card from Jeff Feldman in the waning moments of the contest to lead his team to an improbable comeback win in a wild game at the CB Lot.

On a perfect summer night with temperatures sitting in the comfy mid 60s and the wind subsiding for a night, Smith ripped two doubles in the ninth, collected 3 RBIs and made a potential game saving play in the field to lead his team to an epic 6-4 comeback win over Abe Kim's squad.

After repeated struggles at the plate, Smith took two games off to clear his mind and returned yesterday night ready to breakout of his early season slump. Beaming confidence from the start, Smith immediately elected to be captain. With the 2nd and 3rd pick, Smith chose Jake Rainwater and Dylan Kessler in hopes for them to carry the load on the mound for the team. Smith's last two picks were Tom Monte and Max Rubin.

Abraham Kim sporting a 2-0 record to start the season had 1st selection and took the number one ranked fantasy wiffleball player in Rob Rubenstein. With his next two picks, Kim selected Gordon Miller, who sparkled in his debut and Jeff Feldman. Abe rounded out his squad with Stanley Li.

The game would move quickly in the beginning as both teams came ready to battle. Kessler took the mound in the top of the 1th and made quick work of Kim and Millner. In the bottom of the first, Rubenstein showed Cy Young stuff looking un-hittable as he struck out Monte and Kessler to quiet doubts of a possible dead arm after struggling with control last Thursday.

The top of the second would be the first of three legendary showdowns between Rainwater and Rubenstein. Coming off his first win on Thursday, Rainwater took the mound and his stuff looked good from the onset. Rainwater jumped ahead of Rubenstein before losing the battle by walking him on a pitch that just missed the zone. In what would be a career night, Jeff Feldman would follow Rubenstein in the lineup. Some wiffle pundits were critical of the lineup decision by Kim for not providing protection for Rubenstein's bat with the usual light hitting Feldman batting behind the home run leader. Feldman battled and singled to left field putting early pressure on Rainwater. He responded however by striking out Li and Kim to escape the early jam.

Feldman returned to the mound in the bottom of the second and jammed Rainwater for an easy pop out and then proceeded to strike out Rubin for a quick and easy second inning.

Monte returned to the mound and was greeted rudely when Rubenstein ripped a double to left that fell just short of the street. Monte was able to preserve the shutout by getting Feldman on a come backer and then retiring Li.

Millner took the mound for the first time in the bottom of the third and struggled with control, walking the first three batters he faced leaving his team in a mega jam. The team called on captain Kim to face Rainwater with the bases loaded and nobody out. In the first of many big moments, Kim struck out Rainwater on an up and in fastball that enticed an off balance and late swinging Rainwater. Kim followed one big out with another by getting a struggling Rubin to end the threat, getting Millner off the hook.

Kessler looked strong in the 4th yielding zero runs and Rubenstein followed with another perfect inning. In the top of the 5th, Rainwater again faced off against Rubensten and did not fare any better than in the second inning. After getting two strikes, Rainwater again lost him on a couple close pitches. With Rubenstein on, Feldman looked confident at the dish, already 1 for 1 on the day against Rainwater. After falling behind in the count 2-2, Rainwater hung a curveball that Feldman sent back up the middle only to be denied a hit by a great off balance one handed scoop by Rainwater, the first of many defensive gems featured in the contest. Rainwater fired up, struck out Li on a screwball that bit hard inside and hit Li while he was swinging. This acted as redemption from the 4th inning when Rubenstein struck Monte out on a fastball that hit him while in the act of swinging.

Smith's squad finally broke the scoreless game with a couple defensive lapses in the field. Feldman struck out Kessler on a filthy changeup that dropped out of the strike zone. He then got Rainwater to flare one to right center that spun between Kim and Li that ended up dropping after a failed attempt by both to catch it. Rubin followed with a single that turned into a double after Kim was unable to handle the sharp grounder, plating the first RBI of the game and giving Smith's team the 1-0 lead.

Smith who had been swinging a noticeably better bat ripped a double to left that scored Rubin and made it a 2-0 game. . With Kessler itching to get a second chance after the strikeout, Feldman got Monte to pop out to the center of the diamond where Rubenstein calmly called Feldman off and made the play.

Monte worked the top of the sixth hoping to continue the shutout performance. He was able to get one out before two runners reached base and the hungry Feldman approached the plate. Monte immediately fell into trouble by falling behind Feldman in the count 4-0. Electing not to load the bases, Monte floated one down the middle which Feldman lifted deep to left. With already one Web Gem on the day, Rainwater looked to be under the ball when he started to stagger backwards tripping over the curb but was able to stay with the ball making a circus catch while falling to the ground to keep the shutout in tact.

Smith's team seemed to be carrying all the momentum and looked to extend the lead. But in what would be early signs of this game becoming more than just your average pitchers duel, Kim's team stepped up with some incredible plays of their own. As the fans started to file in, the game that was seemingly simmering along began to boil as Millner made a terrific running grab in foul territory on a Kessler swing. After Rainwater and Rubin reached base, the hot swinging Smith stepped up looking to increase his teams slim margin. In what would be the Charlie Browns game saving play, Smith crushed a pitch into deep left that was heading for the street only to be tracked down in stride by the streaking Rubenstein to rob Smith of a three run homer, preserving the game.

Kessler worked a clean top of the seventh and Kim followed by working a clean bottom. The game moved into the top of the 8th inning with Rubenstein set to lead off. In a strategic move, Monte came into to pitch the 8th, saving Rainwater for the closing role in the 9th. Monte found himself in trouble right away by giving up a single to Rubenstein and walking Feldman. With runners on first and second, Monte got a big out by retiring Li. Kim was up next and after being relatively quiet with the bat, stroked a solid single to left, loading the bases for Millner. With the lot becoming more crowded with spectators, both teams and onlookers watched in anticipation as Monte worked a full count to Millner. Finally the wall cracked as Millner ripped a ball to right that Rubin was able to get a hand on but was unable to stop it. What looked like a game tying double off the bat, Smith sprinted into the gap fielding the ball holding Millner to a single and preserving the lead that was evaporating before his eyes.

Smith called on Rainwater to face Rubenstein in what would become one of the most legendary showdowns in wiffle ball history. With 1 out and the bases loaded in the top of the 8th, Rubenstein looked to put the team over the top as the tying run stood at third, the go ahead run at second and an always important insurance run at first. Rainwater fell behind 3-1 before working getting it to a full count. Rubenstein fouled off a couple screws from Rainwater before punching a grounder to third base off the end of the bat. Kessler standing in front of the line was unable to secure the ball as Kim's team erupted with elation as the game was now tied at 2.

Rainwater looked unfazed as he grabbed the wiffle balls collecting his thoughts and letting the emotion die down. With the go ahead run at third and a hot swinging Feldman at the dish, Rainwater dialed in and struck out Feldman with a filthy screwball that nicked the corner of the chair.

The drama was only beginning as Smith's team tried to muster an attack against Rubenstein. Rainwater led off and just looked over matched as Rubenstein struck him out on a full count splitter that darted down out of the zone. Rubin followed and was quickly sent packing extending Rubenstein's scoreless streak to 11 innings.

Kessler took the mound in the 9th and took care of a struggling Li for the first out. A focused Kim stepped into the box and ripped a line drive down to left which Rainwater jumped for but couldn't grab as the ball tipped off his hand and fell a couple feet short of a home run. Millner reached base bringing Rubenstein to the plate with two runners on. With a base open, Kessler pitched him carefully in what looked like an intentional pass. Rubenstein didn't lift his bat as he walked on 5 pitches to set up Feldman.

In one of the most improbable moments in wiffle ball history, Feldman battled Kessler down to the last strike before lifting a bomb to left center that was feet short of a grand slam but nonetheless landed in the outfield grass for a 2 run double giving his team a 4-2 lead. Smith's team looked on shocked as Kim's team celebrated what looked to be the game winning 2 run double. Kessler more shocked than anyone, retired Li to keep the game at 4-2.

Kim stood on the mound in the bottom of the ninth looking to nail down the save in a wild contest that had already set an attendance record at the CB Lot. With Captain Clutch leading off, Smith roped a line drive double to left field to bring the tying run to the plate, bringing life to his squad and providing some air to the teams deflated look. Kim looking a little rattled, walked Monte on 5 pitches to bring up Kessler who was on the hook for the loss and was about to become the goat in this instant classic. With two strikes, Kessler worked the count full before smacking a grounder to Li.

The game had shown flashes of great defense as well as botched plays from both squads. Kessler watched as Li charged the grounder as he looked in control getting his hands on it before the ball squeaked out of his grasp to be ruled an error to load the bases with no one out. With the tension filling the Lot, Rainwater stepped to the plate ready to win the game for his team. On a 1-0 count, Rainwater hit a tailing fly ball that Li ran for but dropped, Castillo style, that fell into the outfield scoring two runs and tying the game. Smith teams exploded as they had managed their way back from a 2 run deficit in the ninth and looked ready to turn the light out on Kim and his team. However Kim showed toughness by getting Rubin to weakly ground out to himself.

With one out and the winning run at third, Smith slowly approached the plate with the look of someone ready to finish what he started. With a base open, Kim surprisingly pitched to Smith who crunched a ball that was just out of Millner's reach in left that would go for a double scoring both runs and giving his team an unbelievable comeback win.

After the game, the wiffle ball committee immediately declared the game an instant Charlie Brown classic while fans ranked it as one of the greatest wiffle ball games ever played.

Smith was voted MVP of the game while Feldman, Kim and the rest of the team looked on in disbelief as his team celebrated one of the most exciting games ever played. Slump no more

Smith: 6
Kim: 4

Box Score
W: Dylan Kessler (1-0)
L: Abe Kim (2-1)
HR: None
RBI: Smith (3), Rainwater 2(4), Rubin (1), Feldman 2(4), Rubenstein 1(6), Millner 1(3)

Monte Provides the Big Hit, Pitching takes care of the rest

If anyone needed a win, a big play or just something that went his way, it was Tom Monte. Monte provided the lone RBI in the first great pitching duel of the season. Rob Rubenstien, Jake Rainwater and Joe Olarra stymed Abe Kim's squad, pitching a shutout to win 1-0.

Monte composed his squad of three aces in Rubenstein, Rainwater and Olarra with Max Rubin as the 5th player on the team.

The league leader in wins, Kim, rounded out his staff with lefties Raphi Reichman, Dylan Kessler and the crafty righty, Tony Olarra. Abe also selected Omar Cham.

Kim pitched a scoreless first which was followed by Rubenstein, who continued his scoreless inning streak, now at 6 innings. Reichman and Rainwater matched zeros in the second to keep the game scoreless.

Finally in the third inning with Rubenstein on base, J. Olarra smacked a booming double off T. Olarra to the alley in left center. With second and third, Monte roped a single to right field that plated the first and only run of the game. The rest of the game would be dominated by pitching.

Rubenstein ran into some trouble in the 4th but got T. Olarra to pop out with the bases loaded as Rubenstein made a running one handed catch. Both teams managed little offense as hitters struggled with the new field location of Johnson Park. Rubenstein just missed a home run, after whacking a ball to left-center that fell inches short of being a home run.

T. Olarra again had the bases loaded in the seventh but Rubenstein blew a fastball by him. Olarra had a chance to redeem himself when he came up as the game winning run in the ninth. But it would not be his day as J. Olarra took care of him on 3 pitches to pick up the save.

Rainwater picked up his first win pitching 3 perfect innings while striking out 5. Rubenstein continued his dominance on the mound with 3 scoreless innings to increase his scoreless inning streak to 8.

Monte: 1
Kim: 0

Box Score
W: Jake Rainwater (1-0)
L: Tony Olarra (0-1)
S: Joe Olarra (1)
HR: None
RBI: Monte 1(3)

Ramer Spoils Millner's Debut, Monte unable to preserve lead

Abraham Kim's squad battled from behind for most of the game before finally grabbing the lead when Neil Ramer hit a go ahead 3 run homer off Tom Monte in the bottom of the 8th to put Kim's squad up 9-7.

The Captains for the Wednesday showdown were Kim and Raphi Reichman, coming off a save from Monday. Kim selected Jake Rainwater, Dylan Kessler, Jeff Feldman and Ramer while Reichman countered with Rob Rubenstein, Nate Tondow, Monte and Gordon Millner, making his 2009 debut.

Rainwater took the mound in the top of the 1st and struggled with his control, walking two batters but got of the jam with a great catch by Kim on a line drive hit by Monte. Rubenstein countered in the bottom of the first by getting Kim on a controversial strike three call. After giving up a single to Kessler, he retired Rainwater on a weak grounder.

Kim took the mound in the second and continued his strong performance from Monday by striking out the side. Reichman faced some control issues in the bottom of the second which would cost him a run, but avoided further damage with a bases loaded strike three inside fastball that froze Rainwater.

Reichman's squad started to hit the ball in the top of the third off Kessler, who had a rare bad night on Wednesday. Tondow delivered the first blow with a bases loaded double that would score two runs. Rubenstein plated another run to give Reichman's squad a 3-1 lead.

Tondow and Rainwater put up zero's in their innings of work to keep the game at 3-1. Kim's squad was able to get one of the runs back when Rainwater hit a monster opposite field shot off Monte to make it a 3-2 game. Monte escaped further damage by getting Kim out with runners in scoring position.

Kim and Rubenstein blanked their opponents in the 5th inning as the score remained 3-2 in favor of Reichman's squad.

After being relatively quiet, Millner followed his double in the 5th inning with a 2 run bomb piece to left center that reached the street. Kessler settled down and retired the next two batters. The game would enter the bottom of the 6th with Reichman's squad holding a 5-2 lead. All 5 runs had been charged to Kessler, a very uncharacteristic night for the lefty ace.

Reichman blanked his opponents after escaping another jam to preserve his teams 3 run lead. In the top of the seventh, Rainwater finally yielded a run when Monte doubled to left to make it a 6-2 game. Rainwater got into further trouble by walking Millner to load the bases with nobody out. In a very gutsy performance that kept his team in the game, Rainwater struck out Tondow swinging and got redemption on Reichman by freezing him with an inside pitch that nailed the corner.

With the momentum shifting and the fog settling in, Tondow was unable to find the strike zone in the bottom of the seventh. Kessler walked with the bases loaded to make it a 6-3 game. Rainwater followed with an RBI single and Ramer walked to make it a one run game. Tondow recovered to hold the offensive onslaught and kept his team in the lead entering the top of the eighth.

With the score now 6-5 in favor of Reichman's squad, Kim took the mound hoping to continue his dominating performance thus far. Rubenstein had other ideas and provided some insurance with his league leading second home run, a solo shot to left that gave Reichman's squad a 7-5 lead. Monte would take the mound in the bottom of the 8th, clinging to a two run lead.

With the top of the order, Kim reached base and scored on a Kessler double, his 3rd RBI of the game. Rainwater singled to bring up Ramer with runners at 1st and 3rd down 7-6. In what would be the Charlie Brown's game changing play, Ramer cracked a no doubter to left center, leaving the lot and giving Kim's squad a 9-7 lead that they would not relinquish.

Kessler looked as sharp as ever, doing his best Billy Wagner impression striking out the side in the 9th picking up the save and giving Kim's squad the come from behind victory.

While Kim's team celebrated, a relaxed and seemingly unfazed Ramer left the lot with a straight face.

"It felt good coming through for the squad," Ramer replied.

Ramer spoiled a great 2009 wiffle ball debut from Millner who hit a two run shot and contributed by being on base most of the night.

Ramer who planned on leaving early, stayed the entire game. Good thing too as he was the hero for Kim's squad with 4 RBIs. As he walked away from reporters, Ramer repeated the phrase, "It felt good coming through for the squad."

With 4 RBI's and the game winning 3 run homer, he certainly did.

Kim: 9
Reichman: 7

Box Score
W: Abe Kim (2-0)
L: Tom Monte (0-2)
S: Dylan Kessler (1)
HR: Rainwater (1), Millner (1), Rubenstein 1(2), Ramer (1)
RBI: Ramer (4), Kessler 3(4), Rainwater (2), Tondow 2(3), Rubenstein 2(5), Millner (2), Monte 1(2)

5th Inning does Monte in, Rally falls short in 8-6 loss.

The Highland Park Wiffle Ball League resumed on Monday night with a 5 by 5 showdown featuring Jeff Feldman and Tom Monte as the captains for their respective squadrons.

Feldman with the first selection chose Jake Rainwater. Monte followed with back to back picks of Dylan Kessler and Rob Rubenstein. In need of further pitching help, Feldman selected Abraham Kim who has been riding a hot streak on the mound. Monte wasted little time in selecting Andrew Smith. Feldman followed by selecting Raphi Reichman, who pitched 4 innings of shutout ball in a marathon 13 inning game on Monday June 15th. Feldman was able to grab Tom Marks with his last pick while Monte added Nate Tondow, making his 2009 debut.

Kessler, with his deceiving fastball slider combo started the first inning and made quick work of Feldman's team. In the bottom of the first, Monte's team took advantage of some poor fielding to grab an early lead. Marks and Rainwater each dropped balls that would quickly turn into runs after Rubenstein took a Reichman fastball into the street. Instead of collapsing right there, Reichman was able to right the ship and controlled the damage by escaping without any more runs scoring.

In the second, Monte took over on the mound and ran into trouble early. Knowing they needed to put up a crooked number, Feldmans team found some luck when a bases loaded grounder could not be handled by Smith that lead to their first run. Monte escaped further damage by retiring Reichman.

The score would remain 3-1 with solid pitching by Rainwater in the bottom of the second. Rubenstein in the top of the third was showing a true presence on the mound by making quick work of Marks and Kim.

Feldman ran into a little trouble in the bottom of the third but would get out of a huge jam by getting Tondow to ground out to Reichman with the bases loaded. Kessler took the mound and preceded to get Rainwater back after walking him in the first on 5 pitches, by striking him out on a fastball that tailed low and away on a full count.

Kim took the mound in the bottom of the 4th and had some control issues. Channeling Tim Lincecum, the normally reliable Kim walked 3 in the inning, one of those walks coming with the bases loaded to give Monte's squad a 4-1 lead.

The top of the 5th would become the turning point of the game. Monte was unable to get by unscathed and found himself in a bases loaded situation facing Marks, who had struck out in his first three at bats. In what would be the game changer, Marks unloaded some built up aggression with a grand slam that hit off the trees in right center. Feldman's team did not stop there. Already leading 5-4, the team batted Monte around and by the time the storm cleared up, Feldman's team had a commanding 8-4 lead.

Then it became a pitchers duel. Reichman rebounded from the first and escaped another jam. Rubenstein pitched the top of the 6th and blew fastballs by Rainwater and Feldman for another 1-2 inning. Rainwater followed in the bottom of the 6th making quick work of Monte's team.

It was not until the bottom of the 7th when Monte's team scratched a run off Feldman to make it an 8-5 game. Again, Monte's team missed a big chance to add more runs, leaving the sacks full.

Monte rebounded and pitched a quick top 8th and Kim followed with an even quicker bottom of the 8th. Tondow saw his first action on the mound in the 9th and did his job by not allowing any runs.

In the bottom of the 9th, Reichman was given the ball for the save situation. Tondow made things interesting with a lead off homer to make it an 8-6 game. But that would be all the runs that Monte's team could muster. Monte grounded out with two runners on to give Feldman's team the win.

Feldman: 8
Monte: 6

Box Score
W: Abe Kim (1-0)
L: Tom Monte (0-1)
S: Raphi Reichman (1)
HR: Marks (1), Rubenstein (1), Tondow (1)
RBI: Marks (5), Feldman (2), Reichman(1), Rubenstein (3), Monte (1), Kessler (1), Tondow (1)

A Quick Guide to Gettin Grizzly

One of my biggest hobbies as most people know, is gettin grizzly. For those people who are unfamiliar with the term, search grizzly nation on youtube and prepare to be educated in a crash course on gettin grizzly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZPKrVxixg

The following list is a compilation of certain places, meals etc that will help you plan your next grizzly adventure. Note that this list is very incomplete. There are millions of places and meals that I have not tried or heard of. This list is almost like a beginners guide to grizzly eating.

1. White Rose (See top)- You cannot be considered a true grizzly person without a meal from White Rose. What helps this place to be known as a cathedral for grizzly eating is its 24 hour service. Whether you are going for hamburgers or a breakfast sandwich, you really can't go wrong.

Recommended Grizzly Order: Double Cali with Cheese, Well Done Fries and a Soda

2. Fuddruckers- One of the best burger places out there. Fudds features different sizes for their burgers and most of the time you can order a 1/3 burger and be content. However to be considered a true grizzly eater, one must tackle the 1 pound burger at least once. It is one of those things in life that you feel better about yourself after completing. Bonus points at Fudds for paying before you order and not having to clean up after yourself. The last thing you want to do after eating a pounder is to have to wait for your check or throw your stuff away. Quicker time to a toilet.

Recommended Grizzly Order: One Pound Bacon Cheese Burger with the works, Chili Cheese Fries and a Fountain Drink.

(Notable Pukers: Tom Monte unable to get down last bite, unloads in burger basket. Dan Bell one bite away from polishing off his SECOND one pounder when he releases both burgers back into the world all over the table. He then proceeded to walk away like nothing happened. True Legend.)

3. Rutgers Greese Trucks- Another place that is a must for grizzly eaters. It's claim to fame is the Fat Darryl, ranked number 1 in Maxim as the best sandwich in America, Chicken Fingers, Mozz. Sticks and French Fries on a Roll. Really you can't go wrong with what you order. The range of sandwich choices just means that you can't go once. A Special Feature of the Greese Trucks is being able to create your own sandwich. But they don't just let any geek off the street create one. If one so dares, 5 fat subs must be consumed in 1 hour. Surprisingly, it has been done.

Recommended Grizzly Order: Any Fat Sub (No Veggies) and a Drink.

4. Chipotle- In terms of Mexican food for a chain, Chipotle is hard to beat. I went last Sunday and had to wait almost 20 minutes in line to order. What Chipotle does best: Burritos. There is nothing like downing one of these bad boys in 3 minutes and feeling like you just nutted. With 5 choices of meat, every order is a winner.

Recommended Grizzly Order: Burrito with Barbacoa, Black Beans, Rice, Hot Sauce, Corn, Cheese, Sour Cream, Guacamole, Lettuce and a small drink(free refills).

5. Combination Fast Food Joints- Why choose one fast food place when you can choose two. These gems are harder to find but are true jackpots for grizzly eaters. Taco Bell/Pizza Hut combo places are also good but I think the KFC/Taco Bell is slightly more grizzly. No matter what, a person's order must consist of an item from each establishment.

Recommended Order: $10+ worth of food. Order must reach double digits but the combinations are endless. A KFC Famous Bowl and a Steak Quesadilla should be included.

Let me know what you think. What other places are a must?

My Top 5 Most Anticipated Summer Movies

So yesterday marked the first official day of Summer. So to celebrate the greatest of the 4 seasons, I have decided to look at the top 5 movies coming out this Summer that I am most looking forward too. In order of release.

1. Public Enemies (July 1)-Johnny Depp might be the biggest draw in the box office these past few years. After taking 2008 off, Depp is back as John Dillinger in Michael Mann's Public Enemies. This is the second big action movie coming out this Summer, first being Transformers 2. While Transformers will do well a the box office, expect Depp and Public Enemies to do better. July 4th weekend is a huge opening weekend and this movie has a ton of appeal. The cast is excellent with Christian Bale opposite Depp. Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, also star. The story is enough to make this film a must see. Depp as the famous 1930's bank robbing gangster John Dillinger is enough for me.

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 15)- I have been waiting for this movie for a very long time. After being pushed back from a Thanksgiving 2008 release, Potter is back with his 6th movie. While the movies can't compare with the books, they are incredibly entertaining and still make excellent movies. The 6th book is arguably my favorite so the movie could be the best of the Potter movies. It seems that each Potter movie gets better as the series gets darker. The trailer for Half-Blood Prince is incredible. Some will decide to re-read the book to remember what happens but I think it will be better to just see it and take in what is on the screen rather than scrutinize the movie with it's failed comparisons to the book. This is my number 1 most anticipated movie of the summer.

3. Ponyo (August 14)- Hayao Miyazaka has delivered in the past with animation classics such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. In his first movie to hit the United States in 5 years, Miyazaka tells the story of a 5 year old boy and a goldfish princess who wants to be human. I have no idea what to expect from this movie but that makes it more interesting. I am anticipating this movie based on Miyazaka and his past work. If he can muster up that magic used in the films mentioned before, this should be one hell of a movie. Miyazaka movies are very unique and are unlike any other movies I have seen. I am also excited to finally see one of these in a theatre.

4. Taking Woodstock (August 14)- I love the premise for this movie and I liked what I saw from the trailer. I seem to like movies that revolve around real events. Woodstock 69 has this mythical feel to it and the story of a person going through the process of bringing this concert to his backyard sounds like a great movie. In his first American directed film since his Oscar for Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee should be able to make this one worthwhile. I like the cast too. Liev Schreiber and Emile Hirsch have been good in everything I have seen of them. And you know that this will have a legendary soundtrack. Should be a fun movie.

5. Inglourious Basterds (August 21)- I wouldn't call myself a big Quentin Tarantino fan but I do enjoy his movies. This one doesn't even need his name on it for me to see it. Great cast with Brad Pitt as the leading man. Really any War movie will interest me but Inglourious Basterds looks amazing. During World War II in the German Occupation of France, a group of Jewish-American soldiers go around brutally killing Nazis. That plot line with Tarantino at the helm makes this movie pretty irresitable. I'm thinking there might be some nominations for this. A must see in the theatre.

Music Album Review: Oasis- Be Here Now

So I wanted to do something different. Work has provided me with a lot of free time so besides just ranting about how bad the Mets are, I wanted to add something other type of things to the blog. My friend Jeff and I took the train to NYC this morning and we were figuring out ways to spent our free time at work.

Jeff wrote some album reviews for his school newspaper and I thought it would be cool to do one. So every once in a while when a particular album comes to mind and I feel strongly enough about it to actually review it, well I'm going to do it. So BACK OFF!

Be Here Now(1997) is one of the more controversial albums out there in terms of the opinions of fans, critics and the band itself. Some love it and see it as another classic on an epic scale that puts Oasis on another level compared to the other musical acts at the time. Others see it as an over the top, overblown, musical mess that lasts an excruciatingly long time.

At the time of the release of Oasis's third studio album Be Here Now(1997), Oasis was one of the most popular bands in the world. Their first two albums, Definitely Maybe(1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory?(1995) skyrocketed Oasis to worldwide fame and are considered to be the holy grail of albums in Great Britain. Be Here Now became one of the most anticipated album releases and with all the hype surrounding it, it was bound to disappoint.

While it may not be as good as their first two albums, Be Here Now is a force to be reckoned with. It's length of 71 minutes and 38 seconds is massive for 12 songs but Oasis finds a way to make it work. Much like the first two albums, Be Here Now is really just a continuation of what made Oasis so popular. Catchy and simple lyrics, layers of guitar riffs, melodic repeating hooks and a brash sound consisting of horns, strings, keyboards and anything else that Oasis finds necessary to make their music so dynamic and robust.

Listeners know right away what to expect from the album from the opening track "D'you Know What I Mean." The song splashes a bucket of cold water in the listener's face as Oasis starts the engine to the album with this almost 8 minute long masterpiece. Liam Gallagher's vocals are as good as ever as his voice pierces the song with his distinctive and unmistakable nasally whiny style. Noel's lyrics often come under fire but they are insanely catchy and are a perfect match for Liam. The way Liam draws out the sound in his vowel's and the full blown guitars in the background make the song hypnotic like. It puts the listener in a trance with its mesmerizing sound and hype driven swagger.

Highlights of Be Here Now include the two heart felt ballads "Stand by Me," and "Don't Go Away." Liam's vocals are incredible, his best work to date. The sound is soaring and while the lyrics are simple and repetitive, it doesn't seem to matter.

Noel gets his chance to sing on "Magic Pie," a cool and slow building 7 minute epic that makes you wish that Noel sang more of his songs (Liam is too talented!) The sound drowns the listener as the music swells to a bursting point. Like many of their songs, the sound is very Beatles-esque. Oasis will either emulate their sound or throw in lyrics that make numerous references to their idols.

Maybe the best song on the album is the poppy infectious "The Girl In The Dirty Shirt" which encompasses everything that Oasis is about. Another track that "shines" (Noel's favorite word) is the title track which is Britpop in its purist form.

The album ends with the nine minute epic (every song seems to fall in that epic category) "All Around the World," Oasis's attempt at the Beatles' "Hey Jude." The criticism of the albums lengthy songs is definitely warranted here but it doesn't ruin anything. 7 minutes of "It's Gettin' Better (Man) follows and is another loud arena rocking piece that is very upbeat and will put you in a good mood no matter what. The "All Around the World (Reprise) that brings the album to a close is a replica of something you would find on a Beatles album (Nothing wrong with that.)

Be Here Now is truly a work of epic proportions. It's one of those albums that just leaves you feeling good. It's almost upsetting that Noel dismisses it as complete shit. The album has its flaws, and there are many. Some of the songs could definitely be shorter. Songs like "My Big Mouth" and "Fade In-Out" are messy sounding and entirely forgettable. The album doesn't necessarily have a flow to it and it seems like just a group of random songs put together.

Be Here Now might be too over the top and long to please the average listener. If you were introducing one of your friends to Oasis, you would stay away from this one. But to the Oasis fanatics, this is more of a great thing. The songs are just as good as the ones off their first two albums. You could really call this album Definitely Maybe Part 3 as their sound does not really differentiate between their first three albums. Oasis will never return to the popularity of the mid 90's but Be Here Now is the closing chapter of their reign at the top of the music world. It might not be as radio friendly as their first two albums, but Be Here Now is a music experience that is just as good and dare I say it, maybe better than what made Oasis so popular to begin with.

Final Rating 3.5/4

Top Bangers: "D'you Know What I Mean," "The Girl in the Dirty Shirt," "Don't Go Away"

Quick Rant

So last night in Philadelphia, Toronto Blue Jays closer injured his foot when he ran down the first base line after batting in the 10th inning. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston was livid after his closer got hurt after batting in a National League Park. This was his reaction.....

"Instead, Gaston's resented having to play by National League rules, arguing that forcing pitchers to hit put American League teams at a disadvantage and endangered hurlers unaccustomed to the rigours of baserunning.

His worst fears were realized at the end of a five-run Toronto 10th inning, when closer Scott Downs injured his left foot after a grounder to short. Downs hobbled down the first-base line, then left the game.

"That's what happens," said a disgusted Gaston. "My guys don't take batting practice every day and they don't run, so things like this are going to happen."

Ok where to begin. This is exactly what happened last year when The Ming got hurt in Houston running the bases. To me this whole thing is hilarious. Baseball players are the highest paid of all atheltes. Key word atheltes, right? How can you be an athelte if you cant run around the basepaths. It is really pathetic to me that Gaston would get mad about this. If a professional baseball player can't run to first, well we have problems,

"The rigours of baserunning!" That's like the rigours of walking up stairs. I mean yea it requires that your legs work, but any normal moderatly healthy human being with leg capacity can do this.

Gaston says that my guys don't run. Is that a joke? This is a professional sport and your guys don't run! Well then Gaston, I think it is your fault when guys like Scott Downs get hurt when they run down the line. I mean God save us that a professional athelte has to run a little. Just imagine if Downs got a base hit and had to turn first and run toward second. He might of died.

I believe Cito Gaston saw that the schedule had Toronto playing in Philly. Maybe he should of done some running drills on their day off Monday.

As for the DH rule, I'm not one of those guys that don't watch the American League because it's not "real" or "pure" baseball. If I had to chose for the DH to be adoted in the NL or abolished in the AL i would choose the latter but I think everything is fine how it is.

I will thank Gaston and the Blue Jays for beating the Phillies last night. Mets are now only 3 games back and yes, their roster still sucks.

Positive Pitching Trends for the Weekend

There were 10 pitchers who caught my eye this weekend who looked very good on the mound. As we reach the midway point through June, pitchers are finding themselves and coming into their own. The following 10 pitchers seem to be trending upward or have already been pitching extremely well and are setting themselves up for great second halves.

In no particular order:

1. Ricky Nolasco- I must admit, I loved this guy preseason. After a great second half in 2008 and a stellar spring training, Nolasco looked ready to become a legitimate ace in the National League. Everything came apart in the first two months, so badly that Nolasco was shipped down to figure things out. Friday was maybe Nolasco's best start of the year going 6 innings giving up 2 runs and 5 hits. Most importantly was his 1 BB and 9ks. Sign of good things to come from this guy.
Note the control in this highlight http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906135025969&c_id=fla

2. Zach Duke- What to say about Zach Duke. Interesting career so far for this 26 year old lefty. Duke burst on the scene in 2005 going 8-2 with a sub 2 ERA in 84 innings. The following three years have been forgetful but it seems like Duke is back in 2009. After his 8 inning 3 run start on Saturday, the lefty is 7-4 for the Pirates with an ERA of 3.10. I expect Duke to win 14 games this year with a sub 3.5 ERA. A true feat for a pitcher on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Note: No matter how bad the pirates are, 2009 has been a magical year for Pittsburgh. A Superbowl and a Stanley Cup! Enjoy these teams. Maybe the Pirates will finish above .500 this year.

3. Cliff Lee- AL Cy Young award winner from last year had no chance to repeat the year he had last. Some saw 2008 as a huge fluke but he is proving that he is one of the best pitchers in the game right now. Sunday he took a no hitter into the 8th inning. Lee went the distance and allowed 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. After a rocky start, Lee has a 2.88 ERA and 69/20 strikeout to walks. He seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses. I like this guy. http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906145060695&c_id=cle

4. Rick Porcello- Jersey kid and favorite for AL rookie of the year in 2009. Was possibly the top pitcher in the 2008 draft but sign-ability issues dropped him to the bottom of the first round. The Tigers scooped him up and their decision has payed off, big time. Porcello is only 20 years old but is pitching like he has been up for 5 years. After another stellar performance this weekend, throwing 7 innings of 1 run ball, his numbers on the year are very solid. 7-4 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. I'll say it again, the kid is 20 years old.

5. Jered Weaver- Definitely better than his brother. Weaver got his 4th consecutive win in 4 starts, the one on Sunday had Weaver throwing a complete game shutout. Weaver is now 7-2 with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. This makes him the third best pitcher in the AL right now. http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906145059375&c_id=ana Notice Cliff Banger getting K'd up 3 times, ouch!

6. Josh Johnson- Peter Gammons' pick to win the Cy Young. He has not disappointed with a 6-1 record, a 2.76 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. 83 strikeouts to 23 walks. Went the distance on Sunday. Has yet to give up more than 3 earned runs in a start this year and has failed to reach 6 innings in only 1 of his starts. His location is dirty. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906145054443&c_id=fla

7. Matt Cain- Finally getting the run support he deserves and is turning that into wins. Cain went the distance this weekend improving to 9-1 with a 2.39 ERA. His start on Sunday was his best of the year going 9 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 9 and walking none. Keep up the good work. Younger and overshadowed by Lincecum on the Giants staff. Cain is 25 and is looking at a breakout year. Fastball was unhittable http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906145059373&c_id=sf

8. Tim Lincecum- The other guy on the Giants staff. The one that won the cy young award last year. Looking better than ever after a complete game shutout with 8 k's over the weekend. Brings his strikeout total over 100 and is now 6-1 with a 2.66 ERA. I love watching this guy pitch. http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906135025681&c_id=sf

9. Jon Lester- Had a rough start to the season but has given up only 1 run in 4 of his past 5 starts. Numbers are a little high but expect those to come down as the season progresses. In Philly this weekend, Lester struck out 11 in 7 innings of work giving up only 1 run on 2 hits. The slider he gets Howard on in the 6th inning is straight filth. Also Feliz in the 7th gets embarrassed http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906135025817&c_id=bos

10. Dan Haren- Your NL Cy Young as of June 15th 2009. Wait, his record is only 5-4? Well yea but that is only because the D'Backs are horrible. Haren threw a complete game 2 hitter giving up a run while striking out 7. His ERA is now sitting at 2.2 and he has a ridiculous strikeout to walk ratio. His WHIP is at an unreal 0.81 with 90 ks and 13 walks. Unreal
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906135025761&c_id=ari

A New Level of Hell

Um so lets see, well yea I'm still alive which is good.

Castillo, use two hands next time. Should i feel bad for him. Na! He is making 25 million dollars over his stay with the Mets. Granted he might have trouble sleeping, I'm sure his bed was nice.

Maybe we will win today? Maybe this team will be good one day?

By far, the worst loss of a game I have seen my high school baseball days.

I need a drink

Omar Minaya and the New York Mess

The face of the New York Mess franchise is right here. The Mets lost in typical heartbreak fashion last night to the Phillies to fall 4 games back.

This should of been a sweep. The Mets had all 3 of these games won. The Phillies were able to mount two come from behind wins to further pour salt in the wounds of Met fans that have been festering since September 2007.

In my opinion, the 2009 Mets are the worst Mets team since the Art Howe days of 2004. The product on the field right now is terrible and the blame falls on the shoulders of Omar Minaya.

It all came together in 2006. Minaya had built a team that was the best in Baseball. For almost all of 2006, they were. We all know how that year ended. Heartbreak, tragedy, travesty, shameful, pathetic and soft. All these words have become associated with the New York Mets since Beltran took a called third strike.

So after two September collapses, one being the greatest collapse in baseball history, losing on the last day of the season, at home twice, the Mets find themselves limping into Yankee Stadium to face their cross town rivals. The Mets do not know the meaning of the word momentum. The Mets are not mentally tough. They are not competitors. The fire burnt out a long time ago and Minaya remains behind, breathing in the smoke.

Where to begin?

Raul Ibanez hit a 3 run homer in the tenth to give the Phillies the lead for good. Who served it up? Satoru Komiyama I mean Ken Takahashi. Ok so Jerry Manuel wants to bring in a lefty to face Utley, Howard and Ibanez. That makes sense right? O wait, left handed hitters are hitting .444 against him and he has a 3.20 WHIP against them! Both those numbers are not typos. So what does Takahashi do? He walks Howard then gives up a 3 run bomb to Ibanez.

Don't managers get paid for these kind of things?

The real reason we lost this game. Yep, the lineup. It is embarrassing. It gets me really angry so I am going to type this as fast as possible. After Beltran and Wright, this lineup is full of a bunch of scrubs. Barring F-Mart who has like 30 career at bats, everyone else is garbage. The Mets got 3 runs off Moyer in 6 innings. Not bad, I can live with that. So what happened in the seventh eighth and ninth inning? The Mets went down without a base runner! Are you serious? Score one run and the game is over. 7th, 8th 9th inning and not a base runner. It's so pathetic.

Is it the players fault. Not really, because they suck. They aren't supposed to hit. Castillo is an automatic out from the left side. Alex Cora, cant expect him to get a hit. Why? Because he sucks. He is a 33 year old career utility infielder. Gary Sheffield? 3 for his last 30. This guy is 40 years old! Our number 6 hitter; the great Fernando Tatis. Hey Minaya, this guy had his last hurrah last year. Dont get the impression that this guy is actually good. Our catcher? Whoever it is, he isn't going to be hitting.

So after Beltran and Wright, the Mets lineup is made up of Sheffield, Murphy, Tatis, Reed, Santos, Cora. Now do you realize why this team doesn't score runs. In the past nine games, these guys are hitting a combined .230

Next order of business, the Mets rotation is very thin. Pelfrey and Maine are good number 3 and 4 starters, not 2 and 3s. I mean after Johan it is those two, Livan and Tim Redding. They may be doing an ok job now but these guys have yet to prove anything.

Also Omar Minaya spent 13 million a year on Oliver Perez. That move alone should get Minaya fired. Especially when Derek Lowe was on the table. I mean how many Met fans would kill for Randy Wolf right now.

I lost my train of thought.

Anyway, it is Subway Series time which is always fun. Mets need to be careful tonight because the Yankees are not a happy team. I would say to expect a slug fest but the Mets are not capable of that.

As the legend Mr. P would say

"You're just not that good. You go to catch a ball and you drop it. It's not your fault, you're just not good" Go and try to hit the ball, you strikeout. Not your fault, you're just not that good."

Ah Fried day!

My Allstar Squadrons

So rather then bitch and moan about another mind boggling and painful (but typical) Met loss, I am going to put together my NL and AL Allstar lineups as of their performance up till now.

Fan voting is stupid and it shows how idiotic MLB fans are at times.

So for your visiting American League

1. Carl Crawford RF- Has elevated his game to another level, batting .324 with a league leading 34 steals. Stole six in a game
2. Joe Mauer C-Returned from the injury and is batting over .400 with power. Maybe the best pure hitter in the AL
3. Justin Morneau 1B- Easily could argue Teixeria but Morneau has been the better masher as of now. While he has less HR's than Mark T, his avg is 40 points better.
4. Evan Strongoria 3B- His April and May numbers are enough to get him the starting nod here. If he stayed healthy, he would have 70 RBIs right now.
5. Jason Bay LF- The heart of that Red Sox lineup. RBI machine.
6. Ian Kinsler 2B- Has emerged as the best second basemen offensively. Combo meals are his favorite.
7. Derek Jeter SS- Yankee Stadium has helped his numbers but he belongs here. If you want to start SS for the AL over Jeter, you better blow his numbers out of the water.
8. Adam Jones CF- Baltimore lacks any type of starting pitcher, but they have a bunch of exciting young hitters. Jones has been the best of them this year, filling up a 5x5 sheet nicely
9. Zack Greinke SP- I flipped a coin. Roy Halladay has done everything to have earned this spot. But Greinke has been slightly better. His April was one of the best months ever for a starting pitcher.

And for your National League
1. Hanley Ramirez SS- Bothered by injures but is still the best SS in the league hitting wise and has put up all star numbers thus far.
2. Chase Utley 2B- Is the standard for 2nd basemen in the league. The leader of the defending champion Phillies. 15 bombs and a .300 clip
3. Albert Pujols 1B- The best hitter in the game. Period! Give him your applause St. Louis
4. Ryan Braun LF- A pure beast at the age of 25. Seems to be getting hotter as the season progresses
5. Raul Ibanez RF- 20 Home Runs already. At 37, having his best year as a pro.
6. David Wright 3B- Can't hit home runs in Citi Field but on pace to steal over 40 bags. Also hitting .350
7. Justin Upton CF- Beltran would be the better choice in the field but this 21 year old Upton has become what everyone thought he would be. One of the best young hitters in the game, he will be making himself a fixture in the midsummer classic
8. Bengie Molina C- Someone has to play Catcher. Bengie is the oldest and best Molina and has swung a solid bat thus far
9. Johan Santana SP- His numbers have been lackluster this June but he is the best pitcher in the NL and is deserving of the start after being snubbed from the roster last year.

Let me know what you think.

Changes anyone?

"I'm a man. I'm a man,"

Ok, its official, Johan Santana is my favorite player in baseball. It isn't just his talent, I truly admire the way he plays the game. On a night where he was anything near his best, Johan battled, and helped the Mets win this game on the mound, with his glove and with his bat.

It is one of those great and rare days when as a Met fan you feel on top of the world. Still can't talk shit, but this game has Mets fans everywhere smiling in a good mood. The Mets beat the Phillies 6-5 in Citi Field to pull within two games of their division rivals.

Johan was pulled in the eighth after serving a lead off solo shot to Chase Utley, his 91st pitch of the game, 71st strike. Manuel didn't understand what Santana meant when he repeated "I'm a man." Not gangster enough for you Jerry?

He wanted to stay in the game, he only threw 91 pitches, he felt great. He wanted to keep going, to battle against his rival. He wanted to win. Santana is a born competitor. He plays the game with a fire that I wish everyone else on the Mets did. Santana plays with emotion, which I love. He doesn't let them take over, he uses them to pump him up, amp his game and get his teammates going. Whether he is telling Jerry he is the man, or screaming "Lets Go" after ripping a game tying double, this is a guy who you love to have on your team.

Now statistically, he is not the best pitcher in baseball right now. But ask yourself, you have one game to win and you can pick any pitcher in the big leagues. Sure you might pick Greinke and you wouldn't be wrong. Maybe the best choice would be Doc Halladay, a man who already has ten wins and will pitch till his arm falls off. But I am taking Johan. He is the most gutsy guy out there on the field and he wants to win more than anyone else. He can do it all. Hit, field and most importantly, pitch. And when he is on, there is no one better in baseball.

Now before I pledge my full fledged allegiance to the guy, this game was won by a number of players. This is the Mets team that had Citi Field generating electricity last night. Almost everyone contributed to beating the Phils.

• The Home Run Ball is back- David Wright, Carlos Beltran and maybe most importantly, Ryan Church got the stadium jumping with three monster shots. Nothing like the long ball to get a crowd going. Church's home run was huge as it provided an insurance run and eventually would be the game winner. He cranked it to dead center, dropping it into the Apple. Fun Stuff http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906094958955&c_id=nym
  
• While I applaud and admire Johan wanting to stay in the game, Jerry made the right move in taking him out. Pedro Feliciano was HUGE last night, getting 3 outs on 4 pitches, ripping the heart out of the Phillies lineup. In case you had de ja vu when Feliciano retired Howard, it's because he has done it a lot. Howard is now 4-24 vs the Mets left handed specialist
• If you were asked who the best closer in the majors is right now and answered K-Rod, you would not be wrong. He is now a perfect 16 for 16 in save opportunities and has a video game like ERA of 0.65. Where are all those critics of this guy now? He looks better than ever.

Now if you read this, it might look like I am saying the Mets are going to win the World Series. Ha, far from it. Mike Pelfrey takes on Cole Hamels tonight which is a match up that heavily favors the Phillies. Lets hope the momentum from last nights win carries over. We'll see.

Bottom line, a great game and a great day to be a Met fan. Enjoy this because you don't get too many of these.

Quick links from around the majors

Josh Beckett pitched beautifully to lead the Red Sox past the Yankees again. Sox are now 6-0 against the Yanks. I still think the Yanks are better, but I am sure it is driving the Yanks fans crazy that Boston keeps beating them. Yanks need a win quickly to end this nonsense. http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906094962413&c_id=bos

Johnny Cueto is now 6-3 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Guy is having a hell of a year so far and continued that with a strong performance against the Nats.(Yea I know, not hard) http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906104967343&c_id=cin

Similar numbers belong to Jered Weaver, who continues to live up to his billing. Weaver picked up his 6th win to raise his record to 6-2 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. 69/24 K to BB. http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906104967345&c_id=ana

Frisbee news

Dutch Master Killer's won their opener in CUFA Summer League 15-13. Lot of fun in Cranford last night. A-League against Roots tonight.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Sink or Swim

The Mets will be spending the next week in New York with 3 games at home vs the division leading Phillies and then going across town to play the Yanks.

While the Mets are limping through June, there is enough talent and guts on this team to at least salvage a split this week.

The big reason that this is possible is that guy. Yep, Johan Santana again. The Mets will once again have to depend on Johan to carry the Mets on his back as he will pitch twice this week.

The bats will have to wake up and provide Johan an early cushion. With a lead, Johan is almost impossible to beat.

The Phillies are good but they have holes. The Phillies starters are average at best and Brad Lidge will be on the DL for the next couple weeks. The Mets have the advantage on the mound against the Phillies. They will have to prove that their bats can keep pace with a Phillies lineup that is up there with one of the best in the league.

Already 3 games back, the Mets must win 2 out of 3 against their division rival. Regardless of how well the Phillies and Yanks are playing, the Mets always seem play them tough.

Cazenovia Weekend

Despite not doing as well as I had hoped, it was a great weekend these past few days in Cazenovia, NY. Pike came into the tournament as the 9 seed and we ended up finishing in 10th. While the results may not have been the best, this team has a lot of potential and there was a lot of positive things to come away with from this weekend.

I left Friday night around 6:45 with Frenchy, Bill, Glenn, Raph and DJ. The ride was a little more than 4 hours and we arrived in Cazenovia sometime after 11. We stayed at a college dorm which would turn out to be a pretty awesome place to stay, especially Saturday night. I roomed with Bo Li and was able to get a solid 7 hours before waking up a little before 7 on Saturday. Considering I have been waking up at 615 for work every morning, it was pretty easy getting up.

After a good hour warmup we were ready for our first game against our Philly friends/rivals Philly Love. I felt pretty good to start the game as I caught the first goal and threw the next to give us a quick 2-0 lead. However the rest of the half was a see-saw battle. Love tied it at 2. We took another lead and Love quickly tied it again. The half overall was lackluster as both teams looked pretty sloppy. I caught a disc right before the endzone line and rushed a throw between Bo Li and I think Kuger which both sorta went for and ended up being dropped. I think we took half 7-6 but we had played pretty poorly. We were able to fire it up a little in the second half, Love was turning the disc over and we were doing a better job on converting those turns into points. We ended up winning 13-9 in a pretty uneventful game. I felt good and was just starting to get into the flow of things for the rest of the weekend.

Our next game was against Space Jam who I doubt had ever played in a tournament like this. They were a bunch of young kids, they even had a 15 year old out there who looked completly lost. They were athletic and some had skill but were very raw. These games are always hard to get fired up for because the team is so bad. This was probably my worst game of the weekend and I decided to not even waste my energy by not playing the entire second half. I got called out for throwing a silly high release backhand in the wind to Glenn which bladed into the ground. This came right after Dusty called for no more turnovers for the rest of the game. Oops!. We won 13-2 and I think the team commited 0 turnovers in the second half which was good to see.

After a long break, we were matched up against Wiretap for the pool. We had played Wiretap at least 4 times last year finally beating them for the first time in Chesapeake. We started this game with our new tall line which included myself, TC, Art, CJ, Nick M, Raph and Tim. Right away I could tell that Wiretap had improved a lot from last year and were for real. We found ourselves down early 3-1 and in a marathon point with Wiretap. This was one of the longest points I had every played which I think lasted about 20 minutes. Both teams kept turning the disc over. I was getting pretty amped as I was able to get 3 D's during the point which was more than I had all weekend so far. We finally were able to score to cut the game to 3-2. The rest of the game was a struggle as Wiretap was at the top of their game. We just couldnt stop their offense as they had some guys who could flat out ball. They were beating us in and deep and we just didnt have enough to stay with them. We fought but ended up losing 13-9.

At this point my body was very sore as my back and hamstrings seemed to tighten up a lot. We had one more game on Saturday and it was our biggest, a crossover game vs. Mephisto. At this point the wind had picked up and I felt really out of it. We started out on offense to start the game and we ended working it up the field to when TC put a floaty outside-in flick to me in the corner of the endzone that I was just able to lay out for with my left hand. I got pretty fired up and even had to pull out the Plax bow for that one. I scored the second point of the game for us when Bill threw a floaty backhand to the corner that I was able to outjump my man to grab. As the game was going, my body was feeling better. We battled the entire first half which I think Mephisto took 7-5. I dont remember too many details but Bill, Art and Jason were playing very well that half. Pike had chances to win this game but we just couldnt do enough on offense. We were getting the D's but just had trouble converting them. You could tell we were tired yet we continued to battle throughout the game. We ended up losing 13-10 which would put us in the Chump bracket for Sunday. While it was disappointing, I honestly felt that we were just as good as Mephisto and could of easily won that game.

Overall I thought I played pretty well on both sides of the disc. I was getting open on cuts and was playing solid D throghout most of the day. Pike hung around the field afterwords to chill out and play some Atlas. A new dream team emerged as Raph, Trey and TC dominated any team that tried to beat them. Me. Grin and I think Art tried to challenge them and got completely destroyed.

For dinner we went to Caz pizza in which TC told us about the Big Kahuna Challege. It was a 24 inch pizza, 30 wings and 6 sundays. The challenge was for 4 people to finish everything. Of course everyone on the team felt ambitious and tried. Me, Grin, Clay and Bill were able to finish everything but I felt pretty awful afterward. Definitely another grizzly feat to add to my resume.

Saturday night was a lot more fun then I could have imagined. Considering this was a practice tournament and we werent in the Championship bracket, we decided to do what should be done in a college dorm, drink.

A group of Pike players got a solid game of Presidents in which was a lot of fun. Highlights include Dusty being president and making Nick M and Jake shotgun. After about an hour, I moved upstairs to where a bunch of Philly Love guys were staying and became involved in what would be a legendary matchup of Pike vs. Love BeiRipped. I ended up drinking a lot and becoming the goat in the game, underperfomring in my flip cup performance. There were a couple cup spikes and lots of Beer. I was able to redeem myself in the rematch, as Pike and Love were tied with 1 cup left and I anchored the line and ended the game on my first flip. This was probably the most pumped I got all weekend haha. Before going to bed, I was introuduced to Bar Fight, which I still do not know the significane of, but ended up yelling to any Pike person I saw, especially Nick M, Dusty and Jeff.

After passing out at about one, I woke up at seven feeling like complete shit. I had not drank that much since being back from college. I had told Dusty countless times the night before that I was not playing the first game. Me and Bo Li somehow got to the fields before anyone else which was good as I was able to recover/wake up. By the time I got to the fields I was feeling fine, just very sore.

The one thing the Dickinson Jive Turkeys have taught me was is to get completly smashed the night before, stay up late and still be ready to play well the next day. By the start of the Medicine Men game, I felt almost as good as I felt all weekend. I opened the game with the scoring the first point and throwing the next. I was really amped and I think the team was impressed how well I was playing in the beginning of the day after possibly being the most wasted the night before. I felt great in the first half and was getting open all day. Our offense was really clicking to start. I almost had a greatest too which was intersting because we ended up getting the disc back because of a foul on the throw, however we got lucky.

The play was a throw to me which the thrower got fouled, I jumped out of bounds and threw it in to the other Jake who just missed making a ridiculous lay ouy grab. We retained possesion because of the foul but technically it should of been a turnover because my greatest attempt counts as possesion of the disc so my throw back in was a continuation of the play.

We were up 7-2 on Medicine Men looking great when everything fell apart. I honestly cant say what happened but we started turning the disc over with a lot of poor decisions. We were stunned when Medicine Men took half on a huge 6-0 run. Down 8-7 we came out and took the next two points to take a 9-8 lead. The rest of the game was a battle as Medicine Men hung tough. Nick O had a couple huge plays in the second half to keep us in the lead. With Pike leading 13-12, we recieved the disc. I made my only turnover on Sunday but it was a big one. I tried to squeeze a backhand upline to Bo Li which was a very poor decision as it was easily D'ed by the Med Men defender. We hung tough during the point in which Dave Baer made an incedible D in the endzone jumping and getting a hand on the disc. We worked hard but ended up losing the point and the game was tied at 13-13.

At this point I was fired up and when Dusty tried to call another line in, I ran down the field telling him we still had another point. He responded with ok but I knew he was thinking "ok if you want it, take it but you better fucking score." haha. At this point, I was playing on full adrenaline. We scored the next point and I wanted to stay in and win this game. We pulled the disc and everyone on the line busted their ass putting a ton of pressure on all of their throws. I was chasing one of my guys when I saw that we had somehow got the turn. I immediatly took off for the endzone which Bo Li saw, picked up the disc and hit me up line right in the front of the endzone. I looked up, saw I was in and spiked the disc. Maybe not the best of moves because I was pretty close to the endline and right away, Med Men tried to argue I was not in the endzone. I was probably the most fired I became all weekend and repeated at least 3 times " I was in and that's the game." Probably a dick move but I was pumped. After, a couple of their guys kept trying to argue with me. I was refusing to give in and finally one of the Med Men guys said he saw that I was in the endzone and that was the end of that.

I felt good but thoughts of DeSean Jackson on Monday night spiking the football before being in the endzone ran threw my mind haha. Regardless we won and we were ready to play our next game against Forge.

Forge had ended our season last year so everyone on Pike seemed ready to get a little revenge. While Forge had no where near a full squad and played a lot of new people, we took it to them from the beginning. The first couple points, Art got a hand and foot block and CJ made a ridiculous layout D. Forge would be the best game I would play all weekend. I started the game with a nice catch on an in-cut with a guy literally laying out into me and had his hands on the disc but I somehow ended up with it. I scored the point with a nice deep cut to give us a lead. The next point I caught a poach D with a guy running across the field and we moved it quickly for the break. I was really pumped to start the game off like that and I continued to play well the rest of the game. I had two more huge D's that half, all caught, that turned into breaks.

We rolled the entire game winning 15-8. Everyone on Pike was playing awesome. Some highlights include a Tim hammer to Nick, a couple nice deep catches from Jason and Nick and great handling from TC. Baer, Glenn and pretty much anyone else who stepped on the field.

This win felt great and we were pumped for our next game, a rematch against Wiretap. You could tell from the start of the game that we looked tired and Wiretap was the better team this weekend. I played pretty well this game but Wiretap was outplaying us. The took half like 8-3 and more or less finished the game. we battled to make the game interesting but lost 13-9. Disappointing end at CUT but there were a lot of positives to come out of the weekend. A lot of new guys got a ton of playing time and there seemed to be a ton of potential for this Pike Team. i am really excited for this season and cant wait to play again in Boston.

So to cap off the weekend, Pike went 4-3. We played well at times but also played just as poorly in others. Still we have a ton of atheletes and great players who are only going to get better.
I felt pretty good most of the weekend and thought I played very solid the entire weekend. I definitely need to get in better shape and there are a ton of things I need to improve on but it was not a bad start to the 09 season. I wish i got to throw a little more downfield but I will glady dump the disc over throwing a deep look turnover.

I think I might of sprained my middle finger on my left hand but it isn't too bad and I will be able to play Summer League this week. Looking forward to a good week of Frisbee.

Great Job this weekend Pike

Slow to Anger People

So the Mets got swept in Pittsburgh..........I need to let that linger.

The good thing is that it could of easily been a 4 game sweep.

The Pirates beat our best starter
The Pirates beat our great bullpen
The Pirates beat the shit out of Mike Pelfrey

The Mets did not look like they wanted to play baseball after Putz blew the game on Monday.
Once again the Mets refuesd to score runs for Johan who is not gonna be able to strike out double digits and throw shutouts every start. Zach Duke has a been a met killer his whole career so no real surprise that he pitched a gem.

Bottom line is that this team is suffering from injuries. We have the second highest payroll and we often send triple A lineups to the umpire before the start of the game.

Carlos Delgado - $16 million
Oliver Perez - $12 million
Billy Wagner - $10.5 million

Guess which one we are gonna have to pay next year.

Some people will defend Minaya for saying it's not his fault for the injuries. Bullshit!
It's not hard to be a GM when you have money to spend. You give these players these extra years, by the end of their contract they are usually old and injury prone. And since they are under contract, you aren't going to go out and sign other players.

So now the Mets are stuck with what they got for this year. The pitching staff is above average. The bullpen is very good but the lineup is dog shit.

Without Reyes and Delgado, this team just does not have the bats.

The one positive is that Beltran is speaking out about the teams play. You can tell he is tired of it. He is being critical when he needs to be and he is stepping his game up this year.
The Mets players seem to carry this attitude of not really caring but I think Beltran has reached the point where he is angry, which is great.

Just once I would love to see D Wright get pissed off and say something.

This team needs a fire and it needs to come from somewhere. I dont see it coming from outside the orginization this year. Johan brings it but he is only out there once a week.

Your team leader needs to out there everyday. Maybe it is time for Beltran to take over this team on and off the field. God knows he has the talent. He was always just a quiet guy, or as my brother says, a bitch.

The Mets have the Nationals this weekend and they need to take 2 of these games.

Am I in panic mode? No. Shoud I be?

Bottom line is that this team is not as bad as they showed this week. I mean getting swept by the Pirates! (This actually happened right before they clinched in 2006, but it just made it sweeter when they clinched on home field)

Wake up call this weekend? I hope so


In other news, I am going to Cazenovia this weekend for a tournament. Hopefully I will have a recap of it up by Monday. My job offers me a lot of free time in front of a computer