An Opening Day to Remember

chickennoodle77 · 07-02-2019, 09:33 PM

Apologies in advance for the length of this post - but I had to share this game.

Fresh off a record setting season (115-47 .710) which ended in a heart breaking 8-game series loss for my Aramanth Aardvarks after being tied at 3 games a piece, I had to make some tough decisions in the off season. While my team lead in almost all statistical categories both pitching and hitting, my staff was aging and I needed to get some more pop in my lineup. I shipped my closer out of town simply for getting old in a hurry and blowing leads in both games seven and eight, let my #2 starter walk, and traded for a power hitting left fielder. I was happy with the moves made during the offseason and ready to begin the 2013 campaign.

Opening day was set against the rival Morell Maulers who finished second to my Aardvarks last season a cool 14 games back (despite a 100 win campaign) and are again predicted to compete with me for the division title. Being an opening day game both team’s aces are pitted against each other with 36 yr old, 8-time “Cy Young” winner Sam Macaulay (19-3, 2.53 ERA) for the Aardvarks and up and comer 27 yr old Fredrik Crago (12-8, 4.07 ERA) for the Maulers. Looking forward to the matchup and seeing how my new improved powerful lineup will do.

1st Inning is pretty nondescript. Both pitchers set them down in order 1-2-3.

2nd Inning more of the same. MacAulay hits the first batter he faces then sets down the next three with two strikeouts. Crabo retires the side yet again on seven pitches.

3rd Inning MacAulay tells the Maulers he’s having none of this either and retires the side on eight pitches. Crabo starts singing “anything you can do I can do better” and retires the Aardvarks on eight pitches as well. Game is moving along quickly here.

About this time my daughter walks into my office and asks “Daddy, can we play video games.” I look at her briefly, prepared to say no because its a gorgeous day outside and I’ve already said no a number of times already to her brother. But then I realize I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar as I’m playing a game and relent with “20 minutes”…my 8 year old responds with a yippee, a quick hug (I love those!!) and she races off to tell her brother the good news.

In the 4th the pitching duel resumes. MacAulay gives up a couple of hard hit balls but all go right to my fielders. 1-2-3 go the Maulers again. Crabo, still singing that stupid tune retires my top three hitters on seven pitches…AGAIN!!

Top of the 5th MacAulay retires the side on 10 pitches and my wife walks in to the office to ask a few questions. I’m chatting with her as I watch the game unfold but honestly its a more one-sided conversation. Crabo is relieved from duty due to an injury. Du-Sung Park comes in and retires the side on 10 pitches with my squad again going 1-2-3.

It’s at this juncture I realize that both teams are throwing no hitters and Crabo/Park have a perfect game going. Suddenly, my interest in the game goes up ten fold and I begin to watch every pitch (still in one pitch mode though mind you).

Top of the 6th. MacAulay retires the side on 9 pitches. NO HITS. Park retires my potent offense on 5 pitches. He's even more efficient than Crabo!! Had it been three pitches I would have had to buy the Maulers pizza after the game as it is a going bet I have with my son’s little league teams for anyone that throws a three pitch inning. I’ve never had to pay up in seven seasons. Nor did my Dad a few decades ago with any of my teams.

Top of the 7th MacAulay is still rocking and firing. He sets down the Maulers in order with a strikeout and two weak fly outs. My heart starts to race and neck starts to sweat a bit as I have never actually seen a no hitter before. Bottom of the 7th Park seems to be Crabo in disguise, my Aardvarks go 1-2-3 again with the top of the lineup. A pop out to the catcher and a grounder to each of the shortstop and second basemen. I’m torn, I have two no hitters going including a combined perfect game. Which do I cheer for?

Top of the 8th…this can’t be happening. MacAulay is determined to win this game and retires the Maulers in order again. If not for that hit by pitch back in the 2nd, he’d also be throwing a perfecto. I’m now starting to bite my finger nails and sit up more in my chair. Bottom of the 8th it finally happens. My cleanup hitter hits a grounder that sneaks through the infield. First hit of the game and only the second overall base runner. Crabo and Park have lost the combined Perfect Game and no-hitter with the first pitch of the inning. Park still manages to get out of the 8th with a total of seven pitches after the next two batters hit into a fielder’s choice and double play.

Top of the 9th. Here we go. MacAaulay is all that is left for a no-hit bid. Despite the score being at 0-0, I want to see history. First batter is Jim Ramsey, who flies out to right field. Second is Omari Smith grounds out to first base. Quincy Connell follows and works the count full before swinging and missing. MY FIRST NO HITTER!!! On opening day no less. Unfortunately, my offense needs to do something still in order for this one to stick.

Bottom of the 9th. Park still pitching strikes out Mahoney on three pitches. Crap!! Pinch hitter and speedster Adam Jensen steps to the plate and draws a walk. We’re in business!!! Tom Burgess steps in and Jensen steals second. Burgess proceeds to ground out to the shortstop and Jensen can’t advance. Leadoff hitter Irwin Lyon is next and reaches with an infield single. Jensen moves to third…90 feet away from winning the game. League MVP Forrest Maloney steps to the plate with a chance to win the game and promptly bounces one to the second basemen. UGH!! A 4-3 putout and the game continues.

Dejected I look away from the computer and notice my wife is still standing next to me. And still talking. How long has she been standing there? Has she been talking this whole time? Did I agree to do anything over the past few innings? If I was torn before trying to decide which no-hitter to root for I’m exponentially torn now. Do I keep watching the greatest game ever or try to work my mind back into her conversation?

Top of the 10th…I watch (while 10% listening). First batter flies out to right. OK…this can still happen. Just need to get through this inning and hope to score in the bottom half. Then this will all be…..NOOOOO!!!! VINCENT DAVIS!!!!!! No hitter and shutout gone with one swing of the bat. A solo homer to left field. My heart breaks inside but I realize I can’t overreact. She’s still talking and I’ve muttered a few “mm-hmm” responses here and there. She can’t know what I’ve just had slip through my fingers or that I really was not listening. Next batter - Singles to left. The closer is brought in and MacAulay’s day is done. Two more singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly bring the score to 3-0 Maulers going into the bottom of the tenth.

Javon Englund is brought in to put me out of my misery. The heart of my lineup is scheduled with my #3, #4, and #5 hitters who hit a combined 116 home runs the year before. Englund strikes out the side. I get up out of the chair and my wife and I both walk out of the room. So close. My wife then asks me “so, what do you think?”

Gruber_Tagged_Him · 07-03-2019, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickennoodle77

...Dejected I look away from the computer and notice my wife is still standing next to me. And still talking. How long has she been standing there? Has she been talking this whole time? Did I agree to do anything over the past few innings?...

Lol. OOTPing and conversing with the wife definitely do NOT mix. I'm impressed by your concentration skills, I always have to pause the game whenever somebody starts nattering at me.

Déjà Bru · 07-03-2019, 09:31 AM

Great writing, thanks. I love the "between innings" interludes with wife and daughter. Beware, 10% listening (and inappropriate agreement or disagreement) may lead to stormy weather and game curtailment!

Déjà Bru · 07-03-2019, 09:48 AM

P.S., I see Sam MacAulay got Player of the Game, which is a nice touch.

chickennoodle77 · 07-03-2019, 09:15 PM

Normally, I'll just have the game playing in the background and I'll casually be paying attention to it. This time the dual no-hitter chance got the better of me. Happily married for 18 years with OOTP being around for 9 of those. She's well aware of my addiction already and is just happy that it no longer involves those blasted spinners from my old all-star baseball board game. That sound gave her nightmares...

07-02-2019, 09:33 PM	#1
chickennoodle77 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 118	An Opening Day to Remember Apologies in advance for the length of this post - but I had to share this game. Fresh off a record setting season (115-47 .710) which ended in a heart breaking 8-game series loss for my Aramanth Aardvarks after being tied at 3 games a piece, I had to make some tough decisions in the off season. While my team lead in almost all statistical categories both pitching and hitting, my staff was aging and I needed to get some more pop in my lineup. I shipped my closer out of town simply for getting old in a hurry and blowing leads in both games seven and eight, let my #2 starter walk, and traded for a power hitting left fielder. I was happy with the moves made during the offseason and ready to begin the 2013 campaign. Opening day was set against the rival Morell Maulers who finished second to my Aardvarks last season a cool 14 games back (despite a 100 win campaign) and are again predicted to compete with me for the division title. Being an opening day game both team’s aces are pitted against each other with 36 yr old, 8-time “Cy Young” winner Sam Macaulay (19-3, 2.53 ERA) for the Aardvarks and up and comer 27 yr old Fredrik Crago (12-8, 4.07 ERA) for the Maulers. Looking forward to the matchup and seeing how my new improved powerful lineup will do. 1st Inning is pretty nondescript. Both pitchers set them down in order 1-2-3. 2nd Inning more of the same. MacAulay hits the first batter he faces then sets down the next three with two strikeouts. Crabo retires the side yet again on seven pitches. 3rd Inning MacAulay tells the Maulers he’s having none of this either and retires the side on eight pitches. Crabo starts singing “anything you can do I can do better” and retires the Aardvarks on eight pitches as well. Game is moving along quickly here. About this time my daughter walks into my office and asks “Daddy, can we play video games.” I look at her briefly, prepared to say no because its a gorgeous day outside and I’ve already said no a number of times already to her brother. But then I realize I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar as I’m playing a game and relent with “20 minutes”…my 8 year old responds with a yippee, a quick hug (I love those!!) and she races off to tell her brother the good news. In the 4th the pitching duel resumes. MacAulay gives up a couple of hard hit balls but all go right to my fielders. 1-2-3 go the Maulers again. Crabo, still singing that stupid tune retires my top three hitters on seven pitches…AGAIN!! Top of the 5th MacAulay retires the side on 10 pitches and my wife walks in to the office to ask a few questions. I’m chatting with her as I watch the game unfold but honestly its a more one-sided conversation. Crabo is relieved from duty due to an injury. Du-Sung Park comes in and retires the side on 10 pitches with my squad again going 1-2-3. It’s at this juncture I realize that both teams are throwing no hitters and Crabo/Park have a perfect game going. Suddenly, my interest in the game goes up ten fold and I begin to watch every pitch (still in one pitch mode though mind you). Top of the 6th. MacAulay retires the side on 9 pitches. NO HITS. Park retires my potent offense on 5 pitches. He's even more efficient than Crabo!! Had it been three pitches I would have had to buy the Maulers pizza after the game as it is a going bet I have with my son’s little league teams for anyone that throws a three pitch inning. I’ve never had to pay up in seven seasons. Nor did my Dad a few decades ago with any of my teams. Top of the 7th MacAulay is still rocking and firing. He sets down the Maulers in order with a strikeout and two weak fly outs. My heart starts to race and neck starts to sweat a bit as I have never actually seen a no hitter before. Bottom of the 7th Park seems to be Crabo in disguise, my Aardvarks go 1-2-3 again with the top of the lineup. A pop out to the catcher and a grounder to each of the shortstop and second basemen. I’m torn, I have two no hitters going including a combined perfect game. Which do I cheer for? Top of the 8th…this can’t be happening. MacAulay is determined to win this game and retires the Maulers in order again. If not for that hit by pitch back in the 2nd, he’d also be throwing a perfecto. I’m now starting to bite my finger nails and sit up more in my chair. Bottom of the 8th it finally happens. My cleanup hitter hits a grounder that sneaks through the infield. First hit of the game and only the second overall base runner. Crabo and Park have lost the combined Perfect Game and no-hitter with the first pitch of the inning. Park still manages to get out of the 8th with a total of seven pitches after the next two batters hit into a fielder’s choice and double play. Top of the 9th. Here we go. MacAaulay is all that is left for a no-hit bid. Despite the score being at 0-0, I want to see history. First batter is Jim Ramsey, who flies out to right field. Second is Omari Smith grounds out to first base. Quincy Connell follows and works the count full before swinging and missing. MY FIRST NO HITTER!!! On opening day no less. Unfortunately, my offense needs to do something still in order for this one to stick. Bottom of the 9th. Park still pitching strikes out Mahoney on three pitches. Crap!! Pinch hitter and speedster Adam Jensen steps to the plate and draws a walk. We’re in business!!! Tom Burgess steps in and Jensen steals second. Burgess proceeds to ground out to the shortstop and Jensen can’t advance. Leadoff hitter Irwin Lyon is next and reaches with an infield single. Jensen moves to third…90 feet away from winning the game. League MVP Forrest Maloney steps to the plate with a chance to win the game and promptly bounces one to the second basemen. UGH!! A 4-3 putout and the game continues. Dejected I look away from the computer and notice my wife is still standing next to me. And still talking. How long has she been standing there? Has she been talking this whole time? Did I agree to do anything over the past few innings? If I was torn before trying to decide which no-hitter to root for I’m exponentially torn now. Do I keep watching the greatest game ever or try to work my mind back into her conversation? Top of the 10th…I watch (while 10% listening). First batter flies out to right. OK…this can still happen. Just need to get through this inning and hope to score in the bottom half. Then this will all be…..NOOOOO!!!! VINCENT DAVIS!!!!!! No hitter and shutout gone with one swing of the bat. A solo homer to left field. My heart breaks inside but I realize I can’t overreact. She’s still talking and I’ve muttered a few “mm-hmm” responses here and there. She can’t know what I’ve just had slip through my fingers or that I really was not listening. Next batter - Singles to left. The closer is brought in and MacAulay’s day is done. Two more singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly bring the score to 3-0 Maulers going into the bottom of the tenth. Javon Englund is brought in to put me out of my misery. The heart of my lineup is scheduled with my #3, #4, and #5 hitters who hit a combined 116 home runs the year before. Englund strikes out the side. I get up out of the chair and my wife and I both walk out of the room. So close. My wife then asks me “so, what do you think?” Attached Images

07-03-2019, 09:31 AM	#3
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,741	Great writing, thanks. I love the "between innings" interludes with wife and daughter. Beware, 10% listening (and inappropriate agreement or disagreement) may lead to stormy weather and game curtailment! __________________ - Bru

07-03-2019, 09:48 AM	#4
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,741	P.S., I see Sam MacAulay got Player of the Game, which is a nice touch. __________________ - Bru

07-03-2019, 09:15 PM	#5
chickennoodle77 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 118	Normally, I'll just have the game playing in the background and I'll casually be paying attention to it. This time the dual no-hitter chance got the better of me. Happily married for 18 years with OOTP being around for 9 of those. She's well aware of my addiction already and is just happy that it no longer involves those blasted spinners from my old all-star baseball board game. That sound gave her nightmares...