Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good

Well, well, well, the Doolies have advanced to the quarterfinals by the skin of their teeth.  A hard fought battle against a less than good Cruel Shoes team has set up a match-up with whats looks to be our new rivals the Delta House.  Let's talk about the game a little.

The Doolies came out hot and scored 5 runs in the first and it looked as if this game was going to be a to a rout.  That turned out to not be the case as we continuously flew out to Vincenzo in left field.  They literally had one guy who could make a play and we refused to hit it to anyone else.  Some timely hitting by the Cruel Shoes and a couple big errors gave them the lead in the 7th.  The Doolies had their backs up against the wall down a run with 3 outs to play.  Johhny "Willis Reed" Berrian got us started and we never looked back with Coach Mike Espo bringing in the game winning run.

I want to go out and publicly say that Johnny Berrian was the MVP of the day for us.  If he leads off that 7th inning and makes an out its a completely different inning.  An incredibly gutsy performance from Berrian.  He also made a huge tag on a runner trying to score earlier in the game.  Berrian is a GTD for next weeks game.

I'd also like to welcome back Josh Walker to the lineup.  The guy has fought threw back problems since his scoliosis diagnosis in the 6th grade and returned to give us a huge lift in the 7th.  I can guarantee it will not be the last time he comes up big for us in the playoffs.

Alright, now on to next week.  We need to bring a much better attitude to next weeks game.  We had some guys moping around last week and a real lack of energy in the dugout.  This is our year fellas, we need to realize that and get out and enjoy this run.  We need that playoff atmosphere we had two weeks ago, not the one we had this past Sunday.  Who knows how many more of these we have left in us.

The bracket has played out nice for us.  Somehow, Delta House upset the North Ropers and we face another team we are very capable of beating.  Yeah yeah yeah I heard they brought in "ringers".  A ringer is a guy who comes in and hits a ball 400ft every time he is up.  He doesn't bloop one over first base.  These guys are the furthest thing from ringers.  They weren't some young studs smashing the ball all over the field.  They were a bunch of dads who were just happy they didn't have to sit at there daughters softballs games that day.   I watched that game and you know what, the Ropers should've thrown an extra guy in the infield, played more shallow in the outfield and applied more pressure at the plate.  It happens you lose a tough game but I am not too worried about these guys. Listen what happened to the Ropers almost happened to us.  The Cruel Shoes had a couple guys who I've never seen before, but they weren't game changers. We take what the Ropers did and we do the exact opposite and we will be alright.  

See you guys at Tisdale

First Round Playoff Preview

First round of the playoffs and we draw the Cruel Shoes. The Doolies closed the season on one heck of a run with tons of momentum, but we have been in this position before. A lot of rumblings about the playoff bracket and it being built for a run to the title. Let's not overlook the Cruel Shoes here. Yes we waxed their ass earlier in the season, but we were a different team then and I'm sure so were they. I actually pitched that day and am pretty sure they lined or grounded out to me close to 10 times. If we keep up the stellar defense and timely hitting a date with the North Ropers will sure be in our future. Let's take a look at the lineup for Sunday.

1. Espo SS
2. Ward LF
3. N. Benvenuto RF
4. Toal???????
5. Williams 2b
6. Sangiorgi P
7.  Spagnuolo LC
8. Dipisa 3b
9. Berrian C
10. A. Benvenuto 1b

Walker RC

Couple regulars and key pieces to the Doolies second half run skipping the first playoff game. Toal sounds like a game time decision. Do the Doolies find a replacement for him or do they just roll the dice and play ironman softball?  Rumors that Bunting is standing next to his phone awaiting a call   Big Question heading into a playoff game against a veteran team that upset the Doolies in the playoffs back in year 3. If anyone remembers that game it was a rainy day and the game was played at Finch on the far field and the Doolies suffered a heartbreaking walk off loss to an inferior Cruel Shoes team. Good news for Doolies is rain is not in the forecast and I'm sure a W will follow.

Here we go Doolies!!!!!!!

Final Standings and Playoff Bracket

Great Day to Be a Doolie

Fellas, I gotta be honest today was one of the greatest days in Doolies history.  A Doolies team that started off as bad as we possibly could has officially turned things around and ended the regular season at 7-4.  I didn't think this was possible after the piss poor start we got off to, but gentleman we played our asses off today and swept a douleheader to head into the playoffs with the most momentum we have ever had.

I am going to first thank the guys who played in both ends of the doubleheader and say your dedication to the ball club will never be forgotten.  Instead of breaking the games down and speaking about each one individually I am just going to speak about the day as a whole and highlight some great performances.  I will say this, Game Two had a real playoff atmosphere.

Espo was back to his old self today smashing two homeruns in the first game after a week where he knew he didn't give us the effort we have come to expect from him.  Am I disappointed he left the game to go flip burgers with Drew Gibbs? Yes I think we all are, but you know what Ty stepped in at shortstop in the second game and made some people start talking about his potential there down the line.

Can we discuss Nicky?  I havent seen a guy play that well at third base since Scott Brosius.  I hate to break it to our California Dreamin third basemen but you no longer play third base for this team.  Nicky was making barehanded plays on the run, snagging line drives, cutting in front of the shortstop, the guy played out of his mind and we thank him for it.

The team defense as a whole today was the best we have ever played.  A complete day of defense from the Doolies and it showed with the results.  We whooped a good Uncle Stiffies team that just beat perennial power DOA.

The team as a whole swung the back well today. Myself, Chachi, and Bunting all smashed balls into the trees.  Guys were out there taking extra bases causing havoc on the basepaths.  Nicky found himself working on his oppo power.  Willy showed signs of his old self that challenged for a batting title in '09.  The Tripod got back on his hot streak.  Big B was out there ripping line drives and bringing us comedic routine into the field by sniffing out where every guy will hit the ball.  The bats are very hot.

So the playoffs start next week and we are going to be missing a couple guys.  With the 6 game winning streak we ended the season on we should be in good shape to get a nice cupcake game in the first round.  Once we beat whatever slapdick team they throw at us a big challenge will be looming in the Quarters and once we win that it turns into another double header as we play the Semis that day.  I love it, after the way we played today a doubleheader is what we live for.

Until next week fellas.

The Season has Officially Turned Around

Listen fellas, after that first inning today I have to admit I was a little worried.  Down 9-0 after 1 is an incredible hole to be in in this league against a good team, just happy we weren't playing a good team.  A brilliant defensive alignment shift by Nicky and the explosion of the Doolies bats saw a 35-6 run to finish the game and the Doolies are officially over .500.  Things really started off terrible for us as Andy showed up after 6pm with the beer and the gear.  The Highlanders had thrown the ball down to second twice before he got the beer up the hill.  Pathetic showing by Pass block here.  For future, if you are on beer you better be the first guy at the field.

Couple highlights from the game.  Ill go ahead and say the new bat is officially broken in after the 3 dingers I hit. Two of them I didn't even think I got into that well but they just took off.

The young bucks Tyler and Andy have officially figured out how to play in this league.  Andy laughed at the shift and sent one to left field and mixed in a couple other hits.  Tyler was flying around in the outfield and finished 6-6.

Von Dipes was out there stroking and will be missed next week as he makes his valiant return to the Parker House.  Chachi was smacking it around and I think scored 22 runs pinch running for anyone who would have him.

Espo I am not sure hit a ball out of the infield and missed a golden opportunity to chirp an opposing team all game so that was a little disappointing.  Mailly, Im not too worried about him right now, he's cooled off a little, but I know he doesn't waste his hits on bad pitching.  He will carry us in the playoffs.

Couple nice defensive plays by Nicky and Big B in the middle innings helped keep these guys from any type of momentum shift.  Johnny, do us all a favor and stay home next week.  You need to rest up for the wedding and the playoffs.  We do not need you next week hobbling all over the place, although you did swing it great today.

Let's talk about the Highlanders for a little here.  What the hell happened to those guys?  Where was Mr. Barsalona and the rest of the old guys that used to play for them?  This crew that showed up today may be the last group of guys I'd ever want to hang out with.  Multiple guys wearing snapchat glasses. Joe DiMaggio in right field just crushing lines of coke.  The Juice running around the outfield clueless.  The most ridiculous outfield shift I have ever seen in my life.  These are just the things I can remember off the top of my head.  What a disgrace.

Next week we finish up with our long time rivals the Uncle Stiffies.  Id like to think if we win we should get a nice playoff setup with a 6-4 record.  Not sure where that puts us, but I'd assume that we are playing two opening weekend of the playoffs and prob see the Highlanders or the Potbellies again. Its been a great run fellas lets get another one next week and keep cruising to the playoffs.

I see you Doolies

I was lucky enough to see one of the all-time greats from the Ramsey High Arc League today as I was coming home from work.  He was stepping outside for a smoke and the stars happened to align and I caught the infamous Franco.  I overheard him on his cell phone say, "Wait, you mean Mark Mailly, the kid who cant catch a cold behind the dish is the hottest hitter in the league right now?  I hate that guy!!!!"  Great seeing Franco today.

Schedule

Fellas, I know a couple of you asked for the updated schedule to be posted with times and fields so take a look.  Couple long walks to Smith and we finish up with one of our favorite teams the Uncle Stiffies at MacFarran.

What a time to be alive!!!!!

Gentlemen, that is exactly what we did out there today.  Kicked some ass and drank some beer.  Felt great to get the band back together and put a beating on another team.  I'm sure it helps our schedule is as soft as Espo's hammer after two beers but we are going to be rolling come playoff time.

Great to see Jones today.  Not only did he do a hell of a job on the beer but he swung the bat like he had been here all season.  Great to have that guy back in the lineup.  Not really much else I can mention about the game as everyone did their part.  Espo hit another bomb today which was pretty impressive.  Mailly stayed hot as a pistol, Chachi got back on track with a bunch of hits, Ty was 5-5,  Nicky got his first hit in nearly a month.  Id say the one thing that really sticks out is we have alot of guys looking for pinch runners.  We gotta get healthy for this playoff run. Lets ice those hamstrings.  Alot of snipers out there as the B Team had guys dropping left and right.  Heads on a swivel, heads on a swivel.

Great seeing Nickys dad today.   Havent seen that guy in years and he was furious with his team.

We have the Potbellies next week which will be another two hour tickle dick fest but hey I said it last week, Im not here to apologize for winning games in this league.  Lets go out there and put  a 40 spot on those guys and have them hate us while we are doing it.  Sam load up the cooler with an extra case of Rocks, we are gonna need em.

I think We are Back

After nearly a month off to lick our wounds and feel bad for ourselves the Doolies came back in a big way yesterday. Yes, the Opals were exactly what we needed to get back on track but I'm not going to apologize for  any wins at this point.  Couple big highlights from the game yesterday. For starters we showed up with only one bat and teed off. Led by homers from a number of guys but none as big as Espos. Furthest ball I've seen hit this year. Mix in his solid play in the field and his constant chirping of the other team he takes MVP honors.

Runner up for MVP I'd love to give to Mailly but I'm going to give to Eric Gos new gf. I haven't been chirped by a fan like that since high school. It's 11am on Monday, pretty sure she just hit the snooze button at her place in Bogerts and won't surface until Wednesday.

I hope Johnny is OK.  I know we throw around the word Sniper quite a bit at these games but what happened to him yesterday was one of the finest snipings I've ever seen. For those who weren't there he was playing left field and was going for a ball in the gap. As he was running he got sniped and it looked like when you run into the ocean and the ocean floors drops out from under you. Never seen anything like it. Said he heard a pop. I'm sure Johnny will be back next week but wow that was bad.

I'd also like to formally cut Jones from the team. Guy hasn't been to one game and was on beer yesterday. If I don't bring that keg we are looking at a dry game for the Doolies.

Next week we have the B Team in the nightcap at Finch. A win puts us at 3-4 and with a very soft schedule to end the season we could be in good position to be 6-4 by the playoffs. Heard yesterday you aren't allowed to make up games anymore. Need Nicky to look into that for us.

Until next week gentlemen.

Doolies Postgame Recap of EVERY Game So Far