9/13/00
Softball: Another Sudden Shift in Recreational Zeitgeist
Dear People,
Congratz to all on last week’s explosive 29-15 paragon of taut competitive intensity torn inexplicably asunder. As the 7th inning stretch gave us all pause to cherish the coarse expansive pulchritude of San Pablo’s surprisingly sensual grazing tundra, my own team savored the momentum that was steadily swinging our way. Delightfully, the park lights flickered on just as the sun bid adieu, and as we took the field for the penultimate time, we knew that while our 11-11 lead was both slender and abstract, we also had the clarion convictions of a people squarely in charge of their aerobic destiny.
******
At this late date, I’m not going to try and explain "why" we immediately proceeded to give up 18 runs in two innings. Who the fuck really knows what demons stalk the mind of the frightened and troubled athlete? The simple fact is that something went terribly askew, and while the actual machinations of our implosion began just as darkness emerged, I, for one, will not accuse Andy’s team, either subliminally or overtly, of being comprised of blood-sucking-vampire-jock-rats. Let the politicians play those games; My team lost, and lost badly, big time, and stark is the memory that will haunt me because of this. Regardless, as a captain I vow to do better, and indeed, never again will I tell my impressionable young teammates that "ya can light up those reefers now, cuz I think we’re gonna win."
******
In any case, and as most of you certainly know, this Sunday, September 17th, is the 95th anniversary of the birth of the inimitable Walter "Boom-Boom" Beck, the legendary fastball hurler who played with no fewer than 23 teams in 13 leagues over 27 years---from 1923 to 1950! Personally, I get chills when I think of the sheer variety of uniforms that the Boommeister wore, from those of the Southern Association Memphis Chicks, to the Major League powerhouses of the day, including the St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds.
Of course, it’s now been 18 years since this soft spoken Golden Retriever of a man passed away, and unfortunately, no interviews suggest the one team of those 23 that he felt was truly closest to his bosom. Regardless, in 1949, he did tell the great Bob Feller that he didn’t mind "shuffling around," for he felt honored just to play the game. Ultimately, of course, it really doesn’t matter, for all those teams can take pride in knowing that Boom Boom was a unique part of their own legacies. And therefore, there will be a game at San Pablo Field # 1, this Sunday at 5PM, IF I get enough players by this Friday morning. So go ahead and make that commit; This time, do it for Walter "Boom Boom" Beck, that towering American symbol of the consummate professional athlete as unabashed hussy.….Raymond
9/15/00
Softball: The Privileges of Play
Dear People,
There will be a game at San Pablo #1 this Sunday at 5PM (hopefully followed by frisbee), and as of now, there are still a few slots open. Please bring $2 for the field, which for this week only, includes a technically classified but delightfully compelling pamphlet on the crown jewels of America’s nuclear secrets….Ray
BACK