This One's For You Jerry Franzese

Last week team TPG found out some sad news.  Our star 3B Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese lost his father Jerry during the off season. Tony is not just one of the best players on the field, but he's also the epitome of a family man - often bringing his wife and kids to the game. While we never met Jerry, it was obvious from the very first time we met Tony that his father was someone special.  So just like Tony's been there for us all these years, we felt like we needed to be there for him last night when we took the field against PEA. A few minutes before first pitch the team handed Tony a card, shook his hand, and said let's win this one for your pop.

After shutting down PEA in the top of the first (highlighted with a stellar double play by RF Frank "The Veteran" Lew), TPG threatened to put up a big number, but some clutch defense ended the first with bases loaded and only one run scored. During the course of a season, there will always be ups and downs. A team that looks championship bound one day might struggle to get a single out the next day. The real test comes when you face adversity, and the true measure of success is in how a team overcomes such challenges. For the next 3 innings the PEA lineup showed off their power, and scored 9 unanswered runs while the TPG bats went quiet. After 4 innings played, TPG found themselves losing 9-1 with daylight quickly evaporating.

Would TPG fold their hand, and give up? Was this going to be one of our worst losses in many years? Time to regroup, make some substitutions, and remember Jerry. A different TPG team took the field in the top of the 5th, ignored the previous four innings, and played ball. P Hernan "The Terminator" Graziano kept his focus and shut down the PEA lineup holding them scoreless for the next two innings. TPG batted in the bottom of the 5th, and after a couple errors and two ground ball outs TPG had two runs in with two outs and the top of the lineup coming to bat. EH Norman "Cricket" Ha continued his (now two year long) hot streak, and blasted a HR (those Cricket players sure are fast).  Five consecutive singles later, a two out rally, and 6 runs scored. A brand new day. Heading into the 6th, the ump announcing this would most likely be the last inning due to darkness, and TPG was trailing 9-7.

We were pumped. You could feel the energy. PEA tried to rally for some insurance runs in the top of the 6th, but TPG escaped the inning and took the plate down 2 in the bottom of the 6th. Our first batter reached on an error, and the next two made outs. So TPG was down 9-7, runner on 2nd, two outs, and C Princess "Senior Moment" Salvacion at the plate. Have you ever tried to throw strikes to Princess? Well the PEA pitcher could not, and princess walked. Top of the order, and fresh off his HR blast, Norman walked and we had bases loaded, two outs with last year's league MVP Justin "Yoga Pants" Aharoni at the plate. A bullet single, and Princess is held at 3rd. Down 1. Two outs. Bases loaded. And who steps to the plate? Of course it is Tony. With his father looking down from above, Tony ripped a game winning, bases clearing double, and at the end of 6 TPG was on top 11-9.  The game was called due to darkness, and the score was final as 10 unanswered runs resulted in one of the greatest comebacks in team history.

This one's for you Jerry Franzese. You will be missed. 

TPG Jumps off to a solid 2-0 start to begin a cold 2014

It felt like the coldest winter on record. It was almost the snowiest winter. As March rolled on, we all kept waiting for some sign that hibernation was over, and that one day - just maybe - we could go back outside again. And then March ended. And there was still snow on the ground in people's backyards. What happened to that whole "out like a lamb thing?".  But now it is April, and April held promise. Not just because we were officially well into Spring. No. For all of us, April holds promise for one reason alone - that's when the SLAM season starts.

After receiving the news that two-time league female MVP Lynee Hastings had taken a job and moved to Mexico, our heads were down.  Perhaps there was one advantage however of such a long, cold winter... In 2014 we have one of the largest rookie crops in memory, with enthusiasm and excitement stemming from rookies all the way to the TPG Graphics & Branding Studio (who designed our new jerseys) and TPG Marketing Department (who is launching a softball social media campaign).

Opening day for TPG was Thursday April 17, and our opponent was FXF. To say we have had some heated games against them in recent years would be an understatement. Game time temperature was in the 40s, and players were literally losing feeling in their toes. This was the game where the new TPG players were about to make a statement to the league that this might finally be our year. New pitcher Hernan "The Terminator" Graziano stepped on the mound and started throwing the type of accurate heat that we have come to expect from the elite teams in this league. And as 5:29 struck, new CF Danny "The Mover" Etkin arrived on the field. You know that moment when you see a player and all you can think of is that you hope he is not playing for the other team?  Yeah. He's playing for us. And no, we did not hire Mike Trout, even if he might look like him. And also no, that foul ball he hit in his first at bat didn't actually knock over a tree several blocks away. SLAM is a coed league, and with diversity becoming the standard in the Architecture and Design industry, TPG is proud that 3 of the 6 new rookies are women.

In what felt like the longest game in history (okay, we were really cold), a battle was fought and the rust was obvious.  Errors on both sides of the field led to a TPG victory of 13-10, and at the end both teams were just happy to leave the field without any injuries.  Notable performances included a 4-4 day by EH Norman "Cricket" Ha, a spectacular diving catch by CF Danny "The Mover" Etkin, and SCF Johanna "Softball is Fun" Devia finally showing the rest of the outfield how you are supposed to hit a cut-off man.

Game 2 was only 4 days later as TPG took the field against RRA/DBB.  This game couldn't be any more different than game 1.  With the extremely underrated RRA/DBB Pitcher Geoff Prisco throwing dominating stuff, TPG was held scoreless for 4 innings. But Geoff was matched with a dominating performance by TPG Pitcher Hernan "The Terminator" Graziano, and after a home run saving catch by LCF Luis "Dancing with the Stars" Herrera the game was 0-0 after 4 innings of play.  When RRA/DBB finally got on the board in the top of the 5th with a SAC fly, TPG needed to get the rally caps going.  RCF Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung hit a game tying double, and EH Andreas "The Athlete" Karales came through with a key ground ball to get the go ahead run.  Clinging to a 2-1 lead, Hernan "The Terminator" Graziano brought his game to the next level and completely shut down the opposing team.  Four insurance runs in the top of the 7th make this game look a lot less exciting than it was, as the final score ended 6-1 in favor of TPG.

Playoff Atmosphere

Rainouts.  Twice.  At two different times in the regular season the heavily anticipated match up between last year's championship teams was postponed due to rain.  So when TPG vs. RAMSA was rescheduled for the final game of their respective regular seasons, the league worried that one of the best games of the year would end up being meaningless.  But 2013 would not be such as season.  Even though the league already knew who the 6 playoff teams would be, not a single seed had been confirmed, and every one of the three games played on Great Lawn last night would have crucial postseason implications.

Great Lawn 4 saw SS take on GSA, needing a win and a RAMSA loss to clinch the #1 seed.  SS showed up to play and won easily 12-2.  In post game interviews, SS would admit to paying more attention to the sounds they heard coming from Great Lawn 3, the other field where RAMSA was embroiled in one of the toughest regular season double headers ever.

Before yesterday's games, RAMSA pitcher David "Bucket List" Solomon was quoted during an exclusive interview: "make no mistake about it, we will be out there for blood against KPF going for the win and run record".  David was referring to the history books that are embodied in the official league website.  Having allowed only 12 runs in 8 games this season, RAMSA needed to give up a total of 12 or fewer runs in their final two games to secure the single season record for runs allowed per game. Resting his arm for game 2, David Solomon sat back and watched his 3rd string pitcher shut down a potent KPF lineup, giving up only 3 runs, and winning the game 6-3.

All eyes would now be on RAMSA's game 2, the match up of the year vs TPG.  In what would be described by many people as a "playoff atmosphere", this game would not disappoint.  A sell-out crowd filled the seats as TPG fans came out to witness this event.  It turned out that this game would be audience participation night as TPG Fan Of The Year Marc "The Fan" Hoeflich lent his sneakers and jersey to DH Norman "Cricket" Ha who arrived at the game looking stylish in his jeans and boots, apparently expecting a photo shoot instead of a softball game.

Heading into the game, two records were at stake.  The RAMSA runs allowed per game record has already been mentioned.  But TPG had their sights set on a record as well.  If TPG scores at least two runs against RAMSA, they would be the new runs scored per game record holder.  If you have been paying attention, you would now be realizing that we had a bit of an epic confrontation.  The all time best defense was facing off against the all time best offense.  Who would prevail? Does defense and pitching really beat offense in SLAM softball?  We were about to find out.

A scoreless first inning set the pace, and made it clear from the start that this would not be an easy victory for either team.  RAMSA scored one unearned run in the second, and it was 1-0 at the end of two innings. Before we get carried away with the whole offense vs. defense thing, let's not underestimate RAMSA's ability to score runs as well.  In fact, when the day would end, RAMSA would find themselves as the #2 scoring team in the league.  With two more runs in the top of the 3rd, and their defense holding strong, RAMSA took a 3-0 lead heading into the 4th inning.  TPG held their own in the top of the fourth, and came to bat in the bottom of the inning needing 3 runs to tie the game.  Back to back singles by 3B Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese and SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson, followed by a walk to EH Elliot "ET" Grochal, and TPG had a rally going with bases loaded and nobody out.

In the biggest at bat of the game so far, TPG RCF Ray "Big Ray" Dominguez blasted a shot to center field that had SAC fly written all over it.  Over the years RAMSA's outfield has been among the league's elite, so when a miscommunication caused Ray's ball to drop, two runs scored, and both benches were in shock.  1B Lynee "The Natural" Hastings ripped a SAC fly ball to LF, and the game was tied 3-3.  DH Norman Ha followed up with a single, reaching second on an unsuccessful RAMSA throw to 3rd trying to stop Ray from advancing with one out.  LCF Dave "Speedy" Beauchamp hit a clutch RBI ground out, and at the end of 4 innings played, TPG took their first lead of the game 4-3.

This lead would be short-lived, as RAMSA jumped right back with 3 runs in the 5th, and TPG came to bat in the bottom of the inning down by two runs.  Before the 2013 season started, David Solomon shared his bucket list with the SLAM Talk writing staff.  One of the items on the list is to make it through an entire SLAM season without walking TPG C Princess "Peanut" Salvacion.  Sorry Dave, but your bucket list item will have to wait another year.  Princess led off the 5th inning with a walk, and was followed immediately by a walk from 2B Omar "No Practice" Cevallos.  A SAC fly by Tony Franzese, followed by an RBI infield single from Tommy Anderson, and the crowd went wild with a tie game after 5 innings.

2 innings left to play.  TPG defense held RAMSA scoreless in the top of the 6th, and came to bat looking for blood.  Ray Dominguez started us off with a leadoff single, and then advanced to 2nd on a SAC fly.  For the second time this game Dave Beauchamp ripped a go ahead RBI, and TPG took a one run lead to the 7th inning.

The pressure was mounting.  Darkness was setting in.  Every ump from all of the other games at Great Lawn showed up to watch the last inning of this epic battle.  Scratching their way through the 7th, RAMSA came through big and tied the game, 7-7.  So it comes down to this.  Bottom of the 7th.  One run to win.  Princess Salvacion led off with her second walk of the game, followed by a single from Omar Cevallos, and TPG had two on and no one out.  An infield fly, and one out later TPG still had runners on first and second.  A long out to RCF by Tony Franzese and both runners advanced.  Two outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and last year's league MVP Tommy Anderson at the plate.  Shocking the crowd, David Solomon threw Tommy one strike, before four pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone.  Bases loaded, 2 outs, tied game.  And last year's pitcher of the year won the battle, getting a game ending ground out to 3rd.  Final score 7-7.  A tie game.  In the process 2 records were set.  RAMSA is now the modern era single season runs allowed per game record holder at 2.20.  TPG is now the modern era single season runs scored per game record holder at 12.30.

RAMSA will enter the playoffs as the #1 seed, playing the winner of the 4/5 series.  And TPG will be the #3 seed, with a first round series against either KPF or GA.

Game balls go to both no one and everyone at the same time.  This was truly a team effort on both sides of the field, and hat's off to RAMSA and TPG for one of the most exciting games you will ever see.

See you in the playoffs.

A Loss, a Touchdown, and a Dramatic Win

Sometimes us writers need a break.  A vacation even.  Sometimes things get missed, forgotten, and ignored.  The last time you heard from me team TPG was rolling along towards an undefeated season with a 6-0 record and a virtual lock on the SLAM runs scored per game modern era record.  But nobody's perfect, right?

Back on July 8, team TPG took the field against SOM/SHCA (SS), and their pitcher of the year candidate Scott Habian.  Scott is not only known for his blazing fastball, but also his intense stare, long windup, and deliberate pitching technique.  With one eye squinted in the sun, Scott gave up only 3 runs, as the powerhouse lineup of team TPG fell victim.  This was a tight game, SS scored 3 unearned runs in the 3rd inning and took a lead they would never relinquish.  The defensive play of the game went to SS CF Nick Medrano when he threw a laser to the plate to nail a TPG runner by a step maintaining a 2 run lead.  Final score was 5-3, and TPG took their first loss of the year.

A week later, with TPG manager Josh "Roll Call" Ginsburg out of the office, the team took on PCF with the hopes of stopping the losing streak at one.  As team TPG arrived at the field, and players stopped chatting long enough to consider warming-up before the game, a sudden realization occurred.  TPG 3B Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese had forgotten our gear bag, and we had no bats, balls, or bases.  Oops.  With only Tony's heavy 28 ounce bat, and bases borrowed from PCF, the comedy of errors was just beginning.  Did I mention that team MVP front-runner LF Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni showed up 20 minutes late wearing a nicely ironed pair of pink shorts, with an apparently lack of interest in playing?  Granted, it was a pretty hot day.  With Justin sidelined, and last year's league MVP SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson out again due to a heavy workload, TPG would need all the help they could get.  But if there is one thing team TPG has proven this season, it is that they have an incredibly deep lineup (can someone say "making a manager's job tough in the playoffs when everyone finally shows up"?).  TPG rookie Ron "Touchdown" Burrus was involved in what will most likely go down as the blooper highlight of the year.  After hitting a single, the entire world learned about Ron's athletic history.  Apparently (and unbeknownst to the rest of the team), Ron is a former semi-pro football player with a 4.34 40 yard dash time (for those scoring at home Robert Griffen III posted a time of 4.41).  Unfortunately, Ron's running experience is limited to scoring Touchdowns, where you can just run right through the end zone line.  So on the next play as Ron goes racing around the bases he heads into third and forgets to stop ("TOUCHDOWN!"), ending up on the far side of the TPG dugout. With "encouragement" from his teammates, Ron ran back toward 3B, side stepped one PCF player, then juked towards home plate side stepping yet another player ultimately crossing the plate untouched while the TPG bench hummed the lyrics to MC Hammer's "You Can't Touch This".  Sadly (yet accurately), Ron was ruled out of the baseline, and his run did not count. TPG laughed their way through the end of the game, winning decisively by a final score of 12-5.  Game ball went to TPG SS Tony Franzese as he went 4-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs.

Two nights ago on July 30, team TPG took the field against FXF in what has become a very heated rivalry in recent years.  After last season's one run victory ultimately became the reason FXF missed the playoffs for the first time in years, they were faced once again with a win or out scenario against TPG. A win by FXF and they would most likely be TPG's first round playoff opponent.  A loss by FXF and their season would be over. This would be the most dramatic and intense game TPG has played all season.  With 6 ties or lead changes, this game never saw more than a one run lead at the end of an inning.  The game started off shockingly calm, as both teams remained focused on trying to win a closely contested match.  Clinging to a 3-3 tie, things started getting testy when some close calls did not go the right way.  And after a trash-talking filled bottom of the 5th inning when FXF players apparently needed to release some tension, team TPG came to bat in the top of the 6th with a bit of revenge on their minds.  The inning started off with a single by TPG LF Ray "Big Ray" Dominguez, and then SS Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese came to bat with smoke steaming from his ears.  First pitch, and boom, a long blast to deep center field for a go ahead triple, capping a 3-3 day that included 2 triples, and 2 RBIs.  With TPG LF Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni sidelined yet again, Tony's 7-7 with 2 triples and a home run over the past two games vaults hims back into MVP discussion.  TPG defense held up allowing only one more run, and the final score was a TPG victory of 5-4.  FXF's season is over, and TPG has one final game against three time defending champion RAMSA to determine who gets a first round bye in the playoffs.  Game Ball went to Tony Franzese as he went 3-3 with 2 3Bs and 2 RBIs.

It's Raining Wins for TPG Architecture

After playing our first four games without a single rain-out, Mother Nature struck back, and three consecutive rain-outs later, team TPG found ourselves playing for the first time in five weeks last Thursday against RRA. Out of practice and missing several key players, all we could do was hope that the lengthy time off would not derail what had been one of the most promising starts in team history. In a tight battle that was much closer than the final score, TPG brushed off the rust and came away with an 11-5 victory. Game ball went to TPG LF Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni, whose 2-run HR (team - and potentially league - leading 5th HR on the season) blast in the first inning set the tone and gave us a lead that would never be relinquished.

Halfway through the season, and TPG was a perfect 5-0, scoring an other-worldly 80 runs, an average of 16 per game. The next highest scoring team in the league was KPF, and they are averaging just over 10 runs scored per game. Would the second half of our season see a continuing of this success?  On Tuesday, TPG took the field against PEA looking to be the first team in the league to clinch a winning record in 2013.

The rumor mill had reached us early, and there was talk of a new PEA pitcher who had "no hit stuff". Yes, this is a softball league and not MLB. TPG lost the coin flip and as the visiting team led off the game. For the first time all season, the powerhouse lineup that is running away with the runs scored title in 2013 failed to score in the first inning, as the new PEA pitcher gave up only a walk. But TPG would not fold that easily. Missing reigning league MVP Tommy "Guns" Anderson for the second game in a row, last year's female league MVP Lynee "The Cannon" Hastings had to step up her game as our new 3B.  And step up her game she did, in stunning fashion.  Playing a perfect 3B with diving stops and cannon throws to first, even the umpire had to shout out "Tommy Who?" as our team's depth did not miss a beat without our star.  PEA was held hitless in a 1-2-3 first inning, and the score was 0-0 after one.

Did anyone really think the team that has been averaging 16 runs a game would be held scoreless for long?  In the top of the second inning, with a runner on first, 3B Lynee "The Cannon" Hastings hit a monster 2B far over the LF's head, driving in TPG's first run of the game.  A rally ensued, and before you knew it, TPG put up 7 runs, and had a lead they would never give up.  Leading 8-2 in the fourth,. SS Tony "The Muscle" Franzese roped an RBI 3B en route to a 3 run inning.  But Tony wasn't done, and two innings later he blasted a solo HR during a four run rally.  Final score was 16-7, and TPG matched our season average of 16 runs per game.  With 96 total runs on the season, we have now scored more in six games than all but one team did for the entire 11 game season last year.  And at 6-0, TPG will end the 2013 season with a winning record.

Game balls go to Lynee Hastings and Tony Franzese.

Show no Mercy! TPG beats MGA 20-0

The hour was getting late.  Between deadlines, jury duty, and a frigid forecast team TPG was desperate for a 2nd female player (our league requires at least two female players at all times).  When an emergency email went out to the NY office, a hero was born, and the TPG C for last night was Gal "The Hero" Vaknin.  Whew, with about an hour to spare TPG avoided playing a female short - something our team prides itself on never having had to do.

standings after last night's games

With unseasonably cold weather, team TPG gathered as many coats and sweaters as we could find, and huddled around the backstop of Great Lawn 3 waiting for a close game to finish between GA and FXF (GA would break the tie in a late inning and go on to a 12-8 victory).  Since this was the first "late" (6:45pm start) game of the season, TPG had a huge turnout (among the male players at least) as over 15 people showed ready to play.  As we were itching to take the field, we looked to our right and realized our opponent for the evening - MGA - only had 7 players, the bare minimum to start a game.  As two more MGA players arrived late, the vast majority of the game allowed MGA to field 9, which is only one short of the max allowed in our league.

TPG P Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker took the mound in the top of the first, and never broke a sweat.  Stellar pitching, strong defense, and a diving catch by TPG RCF Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung resulted in the first TPG shutout of the season.

The powerhouse offense of TPG (who came into the game averaging just under 17 runs scored per game) was on display from the very beginning as the first nine batters of the game scored en route to a 12 run inning (16 batters came to the plate), capped off by a monster 2 run HR blast by SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson (3-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI).  With 12-0 lead after the first inning, and an 11 run mercy rule (game is over after four innings if a team has an 11 run lead or more), TPG could have chosen to run on auto pilot.  But that is not our style.  After getting three quick MGA outs in the top of the second, TPG put up another rally, this time sending 12 people to the plate and scoring 7.  The highlights of this second inning rally were TPG Rookie DH Norman "Cricket" Ha's (3-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI)  first ever career HR, and Tommy "Guns" Anderson's 2nd monster HR of the game.

One more TPG run would score in the 3rd, and after a fourth consecutive shutout inning, the game was over, and TPG won by a final score of 20-0.

Game balls go to Derrick Blocker, Tommy Anderson, Norman Ha, and Gal Vaknin

TPG mercy's Gensler 15-4

It was not long ago (pre-season 2009 in fact) when it felt like TPG had never beaten Gensler on the softball field.  TPG beat Gensler 11-10 on opening day back in 2009 (our first victory against them in the modern era), and we celebrated as if we had won the championship.  Since that fateful (and precedent setting) day, and leading up into last night's game, TPG has played Gensler 8 times between the regular season and the playoffs... and we won 4 of them and lost 4 of them.  So the TPG vs Gensler match is always circled on the schedule as would be expected with a bitter - yet shockingly friendly(?) - rivalry.

As the teams took the field last night a fierce battle was expected.  Rumors of the core Gensler team retiring at age 40 to focus on their small children were unfounded.  TPG won their 3rd consecutive coin flip (heads anyone?), and took the field as the home team.  In 2012, Gensler scored 123 runs in the regular season - 39 more than any of the other teams in the league.  They were an offensive powerhouse.  So when they rallied in the top of the first and put up 3 runs, TPG thought we would be in for another high-scoring battle.

But let's not forget that TPG is showing signs of an historic offensive season in 2013 averaging 17 runs per game over the first two games of the year.  TPG came to bat in the bottom of the 1st, and like every game so far this year, runs would score.  The first six TPG batters reached base safely including Doubles by SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson (2-3, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI) and Rookie 1B Elliot "Stretch" Grochal (2-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI).  A total of 10 batters came to the plate, and at the end of the first inning, TPG was up 5-3 with a lead they would never relinquish.

Tommy "Guns" Anderson

Elliot "Stretch" Grochal

TPG Defense took over for the rest of the game allowing only one more run over five innings.  Stellar play by the TPG outfield of Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni, David "Speedy" Beauchamp, Ray "Big Ray" Dominguez, and Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung caught every blast the power bats of Gensler launched their way.

Heading into the bottom of the 5th inning, it was 6-4 and TPG was clinging to a 2 run lead.  TPG C Alex "Nickname" Belfiore led off the inning with a line drive single to left, and with the top of the order immediately following, this inning was shaping up to be a big one.  With two men on base and nobody out, early season MVP candidate TPG LF Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni (2-3, BB, 3 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI) smoked an RBI double, and immediately scored when TPG 3B Tony "Muscle" Franzese (2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI) ripped a 2 RBI single.  In the next two at bats, TPG SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson blasted an RBI triple to deep center field, and TPG Rookie 1B Elliot "Stretch" Grochal roped an RBI double.  Not to be outdone, fellow TPG Rookie DH Norman "Cricket" Ha (1-2, R, 3B, RBI) crushed his second triple of the season, scoring on the following at bat.  A total of 7 runs came across the plate in the 5th, and TPG now led 13-4.

Alex "Nickname" Belfiore

Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni

Tony "Muscle" Franzese

Norman "Cricket" Ha

Needing only two more runs to win the game via the 11-run mercy rule, TPG LF Justin "Big Bat" Aharoni came to bat in the bottom of the 6th with one out and a man on base.  Justin blasted an RBI triple, only to score on the ensuing errant throw to 3rd base.  2 runs scored, TPG wins 15-4.

Game balls go to Justin Aharoni, Tommy Anderson, and Elliot Grochal

A Statement Game - TPG vs KPF

On April 30th, 2013, league commissioner David Solomon sent TPG Manager Josh "Roll Call" Ginsburg an email saying that TPG's next game against KPF on May 2nd was a "statement game".  Last night was May 2nd.  KPF was coming off a very successful 2012 season where they were two runs away from playing in the championships, and followed it up with two dominating victories to start the 2013 season.  TPG did play in the 2012 championships, and had one dominating victory themselves to start the 2013 season.  Could last nights game be a preview of the 2013 finals?  When the 2013 schedule was first released, everyone on team TPG circled May 2nd.  Why you ask?  KPF star pitcher Michael Linx is a "high arc pitcher", and for you newbies out there, that means he pitches the ball ridiculously high in the air, and manages to land them for strikes.  And last nights game was a bright sunny day on Heckscher 1, where the batter faces South West.  And since this league is made of Architects who - for the most part - have an inherent understanding of sunlight angles, we all knew that it would be literally impossible to see the high arc pitches as they soared through the sky.

But would this game be the defensive battle and pitching duel we were all anticipating?  We thought so.  Oops.  With closed eyes, sun glasses, hats, and what at times felt like small miracles, the TPG powerhouse would not be held down.  For the second time in two games, TPG LF Justin "I don't like to stop running" Aharoni (2-2 2HRs, 2BB, 5 RBI) blasted a HR in the first inning, and it was 2-0 TPG heading into the second.  A controversial fair ball call down the left field line by the umpire rewarded KPF P Michael Linx with a solo HR in the top of the 2nd, and it was the tight 2-1 game that everyone expected.

Batting in the bottom of the 2nd inning, TPG Rookie of the Year candidate EH Norman "Cricket" Ha (2-3, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI) smoked an RBI triple (this Australian cricket player had literally never held a softball before this season started), and scored on the following AB when TPG Rookie DH Bill "Wild Bill" Jenak (2-2, 3 RBI) knocked him home on an RBI single.

Stellar pitching by TPG P Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker held KPF to only one run over three innings, and TPG came to bat in the bottom of the 3rd leading 4-1.  With the sun at the worst possible angle, and batters guessing at every pitch, we are still scratching our heads at what TPG pulled off in their next at bat.  With 9 of the next 10 batters reaching base safely including a 2 RBI triple (should have been a HR but Derrick the 3rd base coach wanted to rest Simon's legs) by TPG RF Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung (3-4, 3B, 4 RBI), Justin Aharoni came to bat with two outs and 2 runners on base.  And boom, with his second HR of the game (4th of the year in two games played), a 3-run blast, TPG put up a 10-spot and was now leading 14-1 after three innings of play.

The 11 run mercy rule was staring us right in the eye.  When KPF came to bat in the top of the fourth all TPG needed was three outs before KPF scored 3 runs, and the game would be over.  The first batter made an out, and now it was only two outs before the game was history.  TPG was merry, relaxed, and already thinking about the post game beers.  Somehow KPF rallied, and with clutch hitting scored 4 runs in the 4th to avoid the mercy.  Both teams played some defense, TPG was held scoreless for two innings, and KPF came back to the plate down 14-5 in the top of the 6th inning.  A few innings ago TPG was wondering if they had completely overestimated the ability of KPF.  But the top of the 6th changed that view.  KPF rallied  and scored 6 runs (a total of 10 unanswered), and we had a ball game at 14-11 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

TPG leads the league with an absurd 17 runs scored per game.  And our bats were not to be silenced any longer.  A 6th inning rally, including a 2 RBI single by Simon Yeung, and TPG ended the 6th up 17-11.  KPF put one final run on the board in the 7th, and the "pitcher's duel" ended as a 17-12 victory for TPG.

Statement Game.

Game balls go to Justin Aharoni, Simon Yeung, Norman Ha, and Bill Jenak.

Opening Day - TPG Architecture vs GSA

Team TPG took the field last night against Gruzen Samton Architects (GSA) for their first regular season game of 2013. After a successful - and almost historic - run in 2012, we were ready to start the new year with a bang.  All of our seasoned veterans returned having completed the optional off-season conditioning program.  But 2013 would not just be defined as a return of the same great players who had us one inning away from a first ever team championship last year.  With the best rookie crop in recent memory, Team Manager Josh Ginsburg had his work cut out for him (how do we get all these awesome players into the game?).

The game started off a bit shaky (first game nerves perhaps?). We even had to change fields last minute due to a conflict with a girls high school game, and make the dreaded full equipment march across the great lawn.  With no time for warm-ups, the TPG defense gave up two quick runs on a series of errors, and the score was 2-0 before we came to bat.  But we would not go scoreless in the first as TPG LF - and 2008 League Big Bat Award winner - Justin "He's baaaack!" Aharoni roped his first of two HRs on the day cutting the lead in half.  In the bottom of the third, Justin (4-4, 2 HRs, 1 3B) tied the game at two when he hit his second HR of the game in only his second plate appearance of the season (according to the Elias Sports Bureau this feat was unprecedented in the history of team TPG).  But the third inning scoring had only begun as the monster bats of Team TPG woke up, and with Tony "I worked out all off-season so I could swing a heavier bat" Franzese (4-4, 2 2B) starting a rally that would plate 5 more runs, the score was 7-2 after three innings of play.  The highlight of this 5-run rally was when TPG rookie DH Norman "I have only ever played cricket in Australia mate" Ha smoked an RBI double in his second ever plate appearance (and proceed to perform some sort of Australian dance ritual on 2B in celebration.

TPG outfield defense held up their part of the bargain as RF Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung made a ridiculous diving catch to save at least a run (and we all heard  the earth shake), and TPG rookie CF Ed "Yes, I am actually 6'-11" tall, so you should be scared" Baust anchored stellar OF play instructing all four fielders on exact positioning.

The highlight of the game was the bottom of the fourth inning as the power and might of team TPG was on display. TPG rookie 2B Elliot "No, really, I am a good player - but can someone lend me a glove?" Grochal hit an absolute moon shot HR that landed almost at the infield of Great Lawn 3 (across the great lawn). We think the ball may still be in there air.  Feeling left out of the party, last seasons Big Bat and League MVP award winner Tommy "Guns" Anderson hit a 3-run moonshot HR of his own. Yes, this was now four home runs for TPG, and none of them were cheap shots.

When TPG came to bat in the bottom of the 6th, we needed 3 runs for a mercy rule victory.  Last year's league wide Female MVP award winner TPG 1B Lynee "Are you doubting my power?" Hastings crushed a RBI double over the LF's head.  Finally, with only one run needed to clinch the victory, TPG rookie EH Bill "I only designed the posters last year, but thought I would actually play this time" Jenak roped a run-scoring, game ending single, and TPG was victorious 17-6.

Game balls go to Justin Aharoni, Tony Franzese, Elliot Grochal, and Norman Ha.

2012 SLAM Awards

The 2012 SLAM Awards were held last night at Brother Jimmy's, and for the first time in 10 years, TPG Architecture found themselves on the podium with a second place finish after losing in the deciding Game 3 of the Championships.  The SLAM awards party is an annual event filled with beer, BBQ, and of course trophies.  With a packed house, league commissioner David Solomon had us hanging on his every word as he announced the 2012 award winners.

For the first time in recent memory (and possibly the history of the league?), both Male and Female MVPs went to the same team.  You guessed it, TPG Architecture won both awards as outstanding play from SS Tommy Anderson and 1B Lynee Hastings won them each the league wide MVP award.  Tommy also took home the league wide Big Bat award.

Proving that pitching and defense wins championships (in softball at least for this year), RAMSA won both Pitcher of the Year (David Solomon) and Defensive Player of the Year (Dan Sykes).

The 2012 Spirit Awards for best sportsmanship went to Li Ching from KPF and Christine Schlendorf from Perkins Eastman Associates.

Finally, a new award was created this year, and the winner won by a landslide in a unanimous vote.  Yes, the 2012 winner of the Gilbert Gottfried Award was none other than TPG Pitcher Derrick Blocker.

In fact, when the Gilbert Gottfried award was announced, the entire room of almost 100 people stood and pointed directly at Derrick before his name was even mentioned.  Yes, it was that obvious that Derrick would win this award.  Derrick - you have definitely left your mark on this league.

Until next year, when we all will be gunning for the big hardware.

A DYNASTY IS BORN!

On the final day of the regular season in early August, TPG defeated Gruzen Samton  to secure the 6^th and final playoff spot for the 2012 post season—a spot that was made available thanks, in part, to a tie some 24 hours earlier between HMBA/RAMSA and FXF.  So in essence, HMBA/RAMSA opened the playoff door for TPG, the very team that stood directly in their path to immortality.  In the four weeks since the playoffs began, TPG had become a monster in their own right slaying the beasts that are SOM/Swanke and Gensler (the #3 and #2 seeds in the playoffs) and headed into the deciding Game Three of the Finals with supreme confidence, a rowdy fan base and 4 giant heads of Derrick Blocker on their side.

"Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character."

-John Wooden

As the playoffs began in mid-August, these were the opening words in an email to his team by Coach Solomon, taking a cue from a guy who knew a little something about winning multiple championships.  This was arguably not the most talented team in three seasons; but what was lost in talent was more than made up for by heart and character; and that character was tested time and time again in this playoff run that would push HMBA/RAMSA to its second deciding game in as many series.

 

 

Game Three began with the welcomed return of CF Brian Barney (2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run) to the lineup.  Never again will his dedication to the team ever be questioned as he came out on his wedding anniversary to help win a championship.  Brian's first inning single up the middle gave  HMBA/RAMSA an early 1-0 lead.  Both pitchers exchanged zeroes for a few innings until the bottom of the fourth when the Orange Crush widened the margin highlighted by HMA/RAMSA’s lone quadragenerian, Eric Hofmann (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 run) triple to drive in the  first run.  He would quickly be brought home by Doug Neri’s RBI single, who in turn  was brought home by semi-finals hero Holly Kuhn.  TPG scored one run in the top of the 5^th inning but that was quickly answered by another 3 runs by HMA/RAMSA in the bottom of the 5^th.  Doug Houstoun (2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run) extended the lead with his two out, 2 RBI triple in the 5^th and Brian Barney singled him home moments late to extend the lead to 7-1.

 

If we had learned anything in from the these playoffs it was that no lead is truly safe, especially when TPG is involved.  Heading into Game 3, TPG had trailed in ALL FIVE of their playoff victories and came back to win   each game, including Game 2 of the SLAM Finals where TPG was down 3-0 and again 5-3 and went on to win that game 8-5.  Furthermore, in the regular season against TPG, HMBA/RAMSA squandered a 6-0 lead against this very same club so surely they would learn?  Sort of.

 

Amazingly enough, the final inning against TPG mirrored exactly the final inning against the semifinals against KPF (where HMBA/RAMSA took a 7-2 lead into the final inning and won 7-6).  The inning started unceremoniously as David Solomon walked Lynee Hastings on four pitches.  TPG would follow with a barrage of hits  (upper cuts, I think) as they chipped away at the seemingly insurmountable lead.  In essence, the 7^th inning epitomized the playoff run by TPG both with their never-say-die bats and never-shut-up crowd that supported them.  The key to the inning may well have been a bases loaded strikeout of Princess Salvacion who in 44 previous at bats against Solomon was 0-0 with 38 walks.   TPG would not quit as their fans started the first wave in Central Park since 1994, the team they supported cut the lead to 7-5 when none other than Solomon-killer Tommy “Guns" Anderson came to the plate with runners on second and third base and two outs.  (Side note: in the first 3 games against TPG this season - regular season and playoff combined - “Guns” had 11 RBI in two of those games; the only game in which he didn’t have an RBI TPG lost.)  The moral of the story, egos were thrown aside and Tommy was walked on four pitches to load the bases for Justin Aharoni.  The rest is admittedly a blur but I’m told Justin hits a screaming one-hopper to SS-extraordinaire Dan Sykes who knocks it down, bobbles the ball and fires a strike to first base for the final out.

 

It was not a dominant playoff run by HMBA/RAMSA (who outscored their opponents only 33-32 in six playoff games--after allowing 27 runs in 11 games during the regular season);  it was not an easy path and at times it didn’t even look pretty; but in the end,  the Orange Crush just did what it had done so many times over the last 3+ years:  We simply found a way to win.  And in doing so, HMBA/RAMSA now joins the pantheon (architectural pun intended) of SLAM’s greatest team after becoming just the third team to win 3 championships in a row in the 30+ years of this league.

 

I would be remiss if I did not congratulate TPG for a brilliant playoff run and Finals performance.  Your spirited crowds watching the games were only exceeded by your fight, good nature and efforts on the field.  And I look forward to renewing this rivalry in 2013….I think.

In honor of the Three-peat, I am pleased to announce that Lego© will be offering a new line of toys called "Greatest Champions".  The new collection will debut in March 2013 (just before the SLAM season commences) and will feature some of your favorite players from the 2012 HMBA/RAMSA team.  We're thrilled that the great people from Lego© would think of us and happy to promote their brand. 

Leave No Doubt.

 

Championship Series Tied 1-1

TPG Architecture took the field last night for their first Championship appearance since 2002, and only the 2nd time in firm history.  The energy was in the air from the moment we all woke up, as the entire office was abuzz with the historic events of the evening.  Our opponent HMBA/RAMSA, had been here before, having won the last two league championships.  After an official ASA (American Softball Association) ruling that "Artificial Noisemakers" are not allowed, TPG had to change tactics for the crowd interaction during the finals.

So with the help of the world-class TPG Graphics Department and a digital camera, 3' tall posters were made of team Pitcher Derrick Blocker's face.  If there was ever a silent way to make noise, this was it.  The look on RAMSA Pitcher David Solomon's face when he first saw the posters was worth every square inch of mounted foam core.

Before the game started, we were honored to have TPG Managing Partner Jim "JD" Doherty throw out the first pitch.

Although TPG came pumped up and ready to make some noise, the first game got off to a very rocky start and never really recovered.  Reigning pitcher-of-the-year David Solomon got the first 7 TPG batters out, including spectacular defense by RAMSA SS Dan "had to ask him his name since we did not get a lineup card" Sykes, and outfielders 1-4 "never did find out their names" who caught everything within 2 city blocks of the field.  RAMSA scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back en route to a 9-2 blowout victory.  In fact, Game 1 happened so fast we found ourselves with time for a second game.  It would have been easy to give up on the day and play game 2 next week, but no one on team TPG wanted to spend the holiday weekend surrounded in gloom.

So at 6:35pm, TPG took the field for Game 2.  We had RAMSA just where we wanted, after winning two series in a row when giving up game 1 only to come back and win games 2 and 3.  When TPG got the last out of the 1st inning on a spectacular play at home by TPG Catcher Alison Hopke, we looked up at the scoreboard and saw a big 0 for RAMSA.  But this was the two-time champion after all, and RAMSA scored 2 in the second and 1 in the third to stake a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the 4th.  TPG batted, and with hits by 3B Tony Franzese, SS Tommy Anderson, and LF Justin Aharoni, a rally was in place.  TPG 1B Lynee Hastings hit the game tying single, and the score was 3-3 after 4 innings of play.

RAMSA responded with 2 more runs in the top of the 5th, and the pressure mounted for TPG.  But we are a team who has overcome amazing odds all season long, and fight is in our vocabulary.  The 5th inning rally by TPG could go down in history as one of the greatest team moments.  With scrappy hitting, a walk to TPG Catcher Princess Salvacion, a SAC fly by RCF Omar Cevallos, and a walk to 3B Tony Franzese, SS Tommy Anderson came to the plate with 2 outs and the bases loaded, down 5-4.  The guy who has been clutch all season, Tommy, roped a bases clearing triple, and TPG led 7-5.

 The next batter was LF Justin Aharoni, and his RBI single was the 5th run in the inning, and the end of the game's scoring.  Stellar defense for two innings, and TPG won game 2 by the final score of 8-5.

More photos of Games 1 & 2 can be found at TPG Architecture's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.359764724099837.82951.159081227501522&type=1.  Photos are courtesy Vu Tran.

The deciding game 3 is scheduled for play on Wednesday, September 5th, at 5:30pm.  We hope to see you there.

To BE the BEST, You have to BEAT the BEST

When TPG won the last game of the regular season to clinch the 6th and final playoff spot, we knew only one thing for certain. For us to win our first ever SLAM championship, we would have to go though the top powers of this league. As the 6th seed, our round one match-up would be against four-time SLAM champion SOM/SHCA (3 seed). If we won that series we would have to face three-time SLAM champion Gensler (2 seed) in the semi-finals.  And after RAMSA's dramatic victory against KPF, we now have to face two-time defending SLAM champion RAMSA (1 seed).

But how did we get there?  Hard work, great defense, clutch hitting, and most importantly, having fun.  It started with a rubber chicken, and continues building each game as more and more people from the office come out to cheer.  In the quarter finals against SOM/SHCA, TPG lost game 1, only to rebound and win games 2 & 3. 

As the Semi-finals against Gensler began, everything turned up a notch.  TPG had played in the Semi-Finals as recently as 2010, but had only been to the championships once (2002), having never won it all.  In the first game TPG jumped out to an early lead only to watch Gensler score 6 runs in the 3rd on their way to an 8-5 victory.  Game 2 was a nail-biter with Gensler clinging to a 2-0 lead through the first five innings.  With a clutch 3 run rally in the bottom of the 6th, TPG took the lead and held on for a dramatic 3-2 victory tying the series at 1. 

Last night, August 28th, 2012, TPG took the field again for the deciding game 3 against Gensler.  Unlike the SOM/SHCA showing in Game 3 (where half of their team decided to not show up for the game), Gensler came ready to play.  They even got to the field before TPG.  And after TPG scored 2 runs in the 1st, Gensler roared right back with 5 runs and held a 5-2 lead at the end of the first inning.  But TPG had a secret weapon.  We had the support of an entire office.  And when the crowd (thanks everyone who showed up to cheer us on!) arrived, the momentum turned back in our favor, and before we knew it, we had a 4 run lead with only 1 inning to play.  Shut down defense, 3 outs, and the game was won, the series clinched, and a birth in the 2012 championships against RAMSA confirmed.

Semi-Finals Series MVP was Omar Bustamante for hitting the game winning RBI in BOTH games 2 & 3!  Well done Omar B.

See you in the finals.

6-4-1

Before every season starts, some teams contemplate what record they need to make the playoffs.  We can't speak for every team, but for TPG, this is an annual discussion right before the first game of the season.  As a team who is always right on the playoff bubble - now settling into an every other year pattern - the "number" is always on the front of our mind.  In the past, when the league had an 8-team playoff structure, the math was pretty easy.  In fact the rules even stated that if you had a .500 record or better you were insured of a playoff spot.  So it was simple - 5 wins and a tie, or 6 wins and you were in.  Period. 

Then came 2009.  The league voted during the manager's meeting, and we reduced the number of playoff teams to 6.  The reasoning was due to lack of permits, and keeping an 8-team structure meant playing a single elimination first round.  This decision was not controversial. And for the next 2 years, a 6-5 record (2009) and a 5-6 record (2010) got you in the playoffs.  In 2011, history was made when GA failed to make the playoffs even though they had an above .500 record (5-4-2 - which is essentially the same as 6-5).  For anyone knew, that was the first time a winning record did not get you in.  It seemed like the exception at the time, and not the rule.

So it felt pretty safe heading into 2012 that a 6-4-1 record would get you in.  And when TPG beat FXF in the regular season (a game we correctly assumed was the Turning Point of the Season) 8-7, that would end up being the deciding tie breaker.  And when both FXF and TPG finished the season at 6-4-1, TPG was in, and FXF was out.  In 2008-2011, a 6-4-1 record would have been good for 5th, 6th, 5th, and 5th respectively.  In 2012, that record would find FXF sitting at 7th, out of the playoffs for the first time in 14 years (or so they claim).

Yesterday, TPG took the field needing a win against GSA to clinch a playoff birth with the above mentioned 6-4-1 record.  And while we played well en route to a 7-2 victory (including a HR by SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson, and an awesome outfield assist by LCF David "Speedy" Beauchamp"), the real win occurred the night before.  Requiring some help to get in, TPG needed either a win by RAMSA over RRA, GA over FXF, SS over KPF, or RAMSA over FXF (in all cases we needed the "favorite" to beat the "underdog").  But a string of what seemed like a season getting cursed saw the first three of these games with an upset.  It came down to needing RAMSA to beat or tie FXF in their last game of the season.  RAMSA had already clinched the number 1 seed, and FXF was fighting for their lives.  Hat's off to RAMSA for not limping into the playoffs, and taking what was essentially a meaningless game and playing their hearts out in an 8-inning 4-4 tie.  TPG is in the playoffs in 2012.  First round, double header against SS.

Game ball goes to RAMSA pitcher David Solomon for coming through with a tie against FXF.  Thanks Dave.

Simsanity and the Turning Point of the Season

In the course of the season, there is always a game that makes or breaks your team's success. Sometimes this game happens early in the season, sometimes it is at the very end.  You can almost taste it.  The game is usually circled on the schedule, weeks in advance, with anticipation building each day that approaches.  When TPG Architecture took the field last night against FXFowle, this was that game. 

FXF came into the game with a 4-3 record having just lost two 1-run games in a row.  TPG came into the game with a 3-2-1 record, and had just started gaining momentum.  With the standings the way they were, a .500 record - barring a miracle - would not get you in the playoffs.  And the loser of last night's game would have exactly that - a .500 record - with only a few games left to play.

FXF won the toss and choose to be the visitor since their ninth player had literally just shown up on the field wearing street clothes and was desperately trying to change into gear.  TPG defense started the game with a rare 1-2-3 inning, and came to bat in the bottom of the 1st.  Last week, in the TPG game against PEA, a key lineup switch was made placing 2B Simon "Simsanity" Yeung into the 2 spot in the batting order.  Simon was finding every possible way to get on base, and with big hitters 3B Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese and SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson batting 3-4, we needed base runners at the top of the lineup.  Simon did not disappoint as he roped a single, followed immediately with a base hit by Tony.  After a deep fly out to right by Tommy, 1B Josh "Shufflefoot" Ginsburg hit a 2-out, 2 RBI base hit to get TPG on the board 2-0.

FXF battled, and with a key triple by 2B Allie "Don't know her last name since FXF never submitted a lineup card", and took the lead 4-2.  Things were getting tense.  Several innings went by, TPG felt the season chances slipping with every out.  Bottom of the 4th, TPG batted, and we got a new softball.  You know, one of those bright white, shiny, just out of the box balls.  And the 4-run rally ensued.  Collective sigh of relief.  A 2-run lead, TPG up 6-4.  Next inning,. TPG tacked on 2 more runs and had a comfortable 8-4 lead going into the top of the 7th.  Or so we thought.

Perhaps it was the lighting.  Perhaps it was the smell of fresh cut grass.  Perhaps it was that sense of desperation for FXF as they realized their season was on the brink of disaster.  The FXF bats woke up, and the TPG defense stalled, and 3 runs were across the board before TPG knew what hit us.  Tommy called timeout, and brought the infield into the pitcher's mound.  We only needed one more out.  There was a runner on 3rd.  Focus on the batter, make the out, get out of the inning, and we win the game.  Next pitch and the FXF hitter hit a ground ball right to Tommy, who gunned the runner out at first.  Ball game over.  TPG wins 8-7.

Game balls go to Simon "Simsanity" Yeung (2-4, R), Tommy "Guns" Anderson (2-3, 2B, 2 R), and Josh "Shufflefoot" Ginsburg (1-1, 2 BB, 2 RBI, R).

Gaining Momentum, a Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

After starting out the season 2-0-1, TPG was primed for a successful 2012.  Then the rain started.  We led the league in rainouts (3), and did not play for 6 weeks.  Muscles started cramping.  Gloves got dusty.  Bats were definitely rusty.  The rain-induced "vacation" ended with TPG squaring off against Gensler, and it was not a fair fight.  We did everything we could not to get Mercy'd and lost 14-2.  The following week (hey we did not have a rainout!) we lost a close battle to KPF, and saw our record an even .500 at 2-2-1.

But our stone was rolling.  The moss was gone.  Amazing what regular playing will do to a team.  TPG took the field last night against Perkins Eastman looking to regain momentum and find ourselves back in playoff contention.  Leading off the 1st, TPG scored a run on 3B Tony "Married to the firm" Franzese's RBI double.  We had a lead.  But PEA came right back in the bottom of the 1st and scored 2.  Oh crap.  Now we were losing.

A scoreless 2nd, and you could cut the tension with a knife.  Emergency RF Alessandra "Really?  You need me to play?" Belfiore made a spectacular catch turning a would be HR into a long out.  This was a must win game for TPG.  Top of the 3rd, and DH Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker led off the inning with a single.  A hit parade followed, and TPG scored 4 to regain a lead that would not be given up.

With the game still close, TPG blew the doors off when SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson came up with bases loaded and 2 outs in the 5th inning.  A bases-clearing 3 RBI triple, and TPG now led 10-3.  Sadly Tommy was held up at 3B, so his streak of consecutive games with a HR ended at 4.  Shockingly, TPG scored 2 more runs in the 7th as DH Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker hit a triple (!?) - and yes his blood sample was sent to the lab for PED testing after the game (results came back negative).  Final score 12-6 TPG.

Game balls go to Derrick Blocker (3-4, 2 1Bs, 3B, 3Rs), Tommy Anderson (2-4, 4 RBIs), and Alessandra Belfiore (RBI, flawless RF).

TPG Ties HMB/RAMSA in a 6-6 Pitcher's Duel

Them (HMB/RAMSA):  Two-time defending champions, 40-4-2 regular season record over the past five years, new team jersey with championship banners embroidered on their sleeves.

Us (TPG):  Just trying to make the playoffs every year (and only succeeding about 50% of the time), 25-21 regular season record over that same 5 year time frame, angry that RAMSA's new team jersey was unveiled before our eyes.

Basically, Rocky 1.  The only people who gave us a shot, were ourselves.  But we had fight.  We had spirit.  And we were ready for battle.

It is not every day that a 6-6 game can be called a pitcher's duel.  But with exactly 1 earned run between the two teams over 8 full innings of play, that is precisely what RAMSA Pitcher David "I lost track of how many pitcher-of-the-year awards i have won" Solomon and TPG Pitcher Derrek "The Mouth" Blocker gave us.

The game started out bleak for TPG, as RAMSA scored 3 in the the first (1 earned) on sloppy play by the defense.  Unable to muster any offense against their "I don't have enough room on my mantle for all my pitching trophies" pitcher, TPG was scoreless after 3 innings.  RAMSA tacked on 3 more in the bottom of the 3rd on yet more errors and defensive miscues.  It would have been easy to give up having just staked the defending champions to a 6-0 lead.  But give up was not a word in our vocabulary...

In the top of the 5th TPG rallied.  2B Louis "Baseball is in my DNA" Herrera and RF Josh "Shufflefoot" Ginsburg started us off with back-to-back singles, and ended up scoring a on a series of errors by the usually stellar RAMSA defense. We had hope, and now trailed only 6-2.

Time to unleash the secret and not-so-secret weapons.  Princess "It is impossible for a pitcher to throw me a strike" Salvacion led off the 6th with a walk, followed by back-to-back errors bringing up the early season front-runner for team MVP SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson with bases loaded down four runs.  Tommy would not disappoint as he crushed a line drive over everyone's head for a game tying grand slam.

 
After the game, David Solomon commented that this was the first time in his entire SLAM career that he gave up a 6-run lead.  Our heart cries for you David, really.  That sound you hear?  The smallest violin in the world playing in sympathy just for you.

Our team photographer, Vu Tran was in attendence again, and you can see the rest of his photos from the game here:  https://plus.google.com/photos/109111179680946945239/albums/5742398289459189905?authkey=CKum17rfo-TIUQ

Game balls go to Derek Blocker for only giving up 1 earned run over 8 innings, Josh Ginsburg for another 3-3 day, and of course to Tommy Anderson for the hit of the season, a game tying grand slam - his 3rd HR this season in as many games.

BACK TO BUSINESS

After a somewhat controversial winter away that included an extensive doping allegation (no charges filed), a visit to the White House and very light off-season workout program, the HMBA/RAMSA Orange Crush returned to their office in Central Park to kick off the 2012 campaign.  The one-time "bridesmaids" of SLAM have become (to some) the Bridezillas of the league.  Make no mistake about it, in 2012 this team has a bullseye squarely aimed at its back.

 Facing a much improved and highly motivated Perkins Eastman team to open its second defense of the trophy, the SLAM champions were flat and rusty.  PEA came right out of the box with a run in the first inning (and threatened for much more).  On the flipside, it took four innings of softball for the HMBA/RAMSA squad to scratch out its first hit of the young season.  And four batters later, with two outs and two runners on base, cleaner hitter Brian Barney roped a single to center to give the us a 2-1 lead.    Two innings later with a little more hustle than muscle (and the help of a throwing error), an important tack-on run was added  as they closed out the game 3-1, Good Guys.

Two weeks later - and sporting the debut of brand-spanking new uniforms since 2006 - a rejuvenated team complete with a new crop of rookie talent returned to the Great Lawn against MGA.  Unlike the first game of the season, this version of the players somewhat resembled the championship formula of seasons' past--timely hitting, solid defense across the field and just enough pitching from their aging captain (who nearly paid a visit to Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama this winter).   Most notably the offense came out firing in this game with 4 runs in the top of the first inning.  In fact, the offense scored runs in each of the five innngs of play.  Highlights from the game include the newly crowned quadragenarian, Eric Hofmann's 3-3 evening with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI, Addie Suchorab's 2-2 (1 RBI) performance and Josh Barkan's 2-2, 2 RBI performance which included his first career home run in SLAM ("No joke, that's the first home run I've ever hit - at any level!" he proclaimed in post-game comments).  Final score, Good Guys 12, MGA 1.

Next up on the schedule is the Mayan-endorsed, undefeated (and over-photographed) Blue Storm of TPG - the #1 ranked team in SLAM sporting a formidable 23-1 run ratio in the early part of the season.  Better get your cameras ready, boys and girls....