September 2 Recap
by Marc Brafman
Sorry for the late post today everyone but better late than never right?
We had two games last night due to COVID popping up in our league again. Get better soon, JZ and everyone remember to keep your mask up and wash your hands.
On field one it was Team Loon vs. Team Fogel:
Team Loon clinched the number 1 seed in the upcoming tournament as they strung together a number of hard-hit balls in the top of the first inning Wednesday night against Team Fogel. “We came out strong in the first inning,” Anton said. Lucky for us it was enough to carry us to victory. Fink, Mark Tenenholtz, Zach Hiudt and the Commish, Rick Tenenholtz, all contributed at the plate. Team Fogel’s defense faltered a bit and the result was 7 runs in the first, as Team Loon batted around. Fogel came back with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Team Fogel scored a few more runs on well-placed hits up the middle and drives into the outfield gaps, but were unable to develop the big inning to match Team Loon. “You know after that 7-run first inning, we really won the game,” Joel Fogel said post game. “We outscored Loon 3-2 the rest of the way.” Team Fogel was led by Jeremy Fogel who had an opposite field HR, but he also had a questionable hit by pitch which resulted in some outfield chatter by Loon, Mark Tenenholtz, and Mitchell Evans. The trio was wondering why Jeremy drove all the way from downtown to get hit by a pitch. Perhaps it was slow reflexes and he couldn’t avoid the 18 MPH pitch.
On defense the Loon outfield of Mitchell “Skip to My Lou” Evans, and Mark “The Big House” Tenenholtz, Anton and Joe Ahlers all made nice plays to keep Fogel at bay.
This observer (Keith Kombrinck) was impressed with the consistent velocity from Mike Gray. It was a challenge to hit him, but our big guys managed it.
Special thanks to super sub Marc Brafman for filling in at 2B. While he wasn’t explaining why MLB hitters need to learn how to bunt to beat the shift, he found some time to make a run-saving diving stop which was reminiscent of his days as starting 2B for the Finneytown Wildcats. (if someone can tell me why Winker, Votto and Moose can’t lay down a bunt when no one is covering that side of the infield, I’m all ears)
It should also be noted that neither Jamie nor Mike Gray gave up 23 hits in this game.
With the win, Loon moves to 3-2 and 8-3 overall.
Over on field 3 in a bit of an upset, Weisser crushed Groh 15-0 to set up a battle between Groh and Brafman for the 2nd-half title next week.
Multiple hit games from David Wertheim, Griffin Harris, Scott Friend, Dee Harris and Josh Rosen (strong candidate for rookie of the year). Editors note: this is the best rookie class of guys in my 6 years in the league. Keep it up, fellas
Flawless defense and the 24th JCC career shutout by Mark Weisser along with Scott Wolf’s steal record are sort of like Negro League records where Josh Gibson is said to have hit over 800 homers. Does anyone really know? But the legend is better than the facts.
Even giving up 15 runs, Team Groh also didn’t give up 23 hits
League Notes
Before we get into the fun of the week one update. I know that many of you are upset that we keep changing the schedule or that we might have a double header before the kickoff of NFL Sunday. Please know that Rick and Mike are working with Triple Creek to get in as many games as we can in before it gets too dark and anyone else in the league gets sick. Thank you for your flexibility
It’s a big week in the league alumni club of guys celebrating wedding anniversaries: Howard Goldwasser, Zach Meyer and Pat “Sunshine” Feldman. Happy anniversary, guys!
Speaking of Pat, this week he is our guest in catching up with: I’ve started a new job with a startup company and am enjoying that very much. We have stayed pretty low key this summer and my Dad and I miss playing. We should be back better than ever next season. I also did get my hair trimmed once or twice but the man bun is still in play for next season.
Big shout out to Stu Solomon for starting a new job and his own company. Way to go, Stu.
Last week I mentioned that Brian “Yogi” Monk’s son’s bar mitzvah was at their house. Little did I know that Brian was recovering from COVID at the same time. I’m happy to report that he is doing much better and unfortunately COVID didn’t cure his love of the Yankees.
Let this be a cautionary tale for all of us guys. Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley’s mom and my mother-in-law are best friends from way back. The other day, they were together, and I got a text from my mother-in-law asking me if Joel was behaving himself in the league this year because his mom was asking. So guys, just remember our Moms are always out there checking up on us…
Has anyone ever figured out how David “BP” Snyder changes so fast at the field. No sooner was his game over last night than I look over and he showered, changed his clothes and looked ready to go mooch off Eppy at the Silver Spring House. He’s like David Spade in Tommy Boy changing clothes on the airplane. How’s he do it?
Last night Adam Wolf (son of Scott) subbed for Team Fogel and had a couple of hits. The question we all need to ask is who will have more family members in the league, the Wolf’s or Rabbi Yitz, once his 6 boys are old enough.
Finally, this week in the news someone bought a Mike Trout one of a kind Rookie card for 3.93 MILLION dollars (and no it wasn’t Roger) but with Roger’s help my crack JCC research team did find some other JCC rookie cards:
Did you know that Ron “Kiss from a” Rose’s rookie card was in the same pack as the famous Honus Wagner card? Like Honus, Ron didn’t like his card being in a tobacco card set so he had his switched to Manischewitz wine.
Gig Franklin’s card was included in the 1965 Topps traded set since he was part of the famous trade when the Reds traded Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas. Gig was the player to be named later in that trade.
Ben “B-Rod” Rodriguez’s card is pretty unique as he is sliding down the golden escalator in Trump Tower that President Trump came down in 2015.
You have all heard of game used jersey cards. Well, Eric “Spuds” Zied’s card is filled with dirt from his infield practice
Taylor and Corey Schwartz’s card looks like the famous picture of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly from the movie, Step Brothers. The only change is that Leon “The Bull” Seserman is in the background crying because he’s not the one hugging Taylor.
This year, Eddie Gallop’s card has him and his family in masks and PPE gear.
“Handsome” Sam Castellini’s card is water proof.
Evan Reisenfeld’s card comes complete with a map and watch because he seems to have a hard time finding Triple Creek on time.
Jason Faust’s card will for now on glow in the dark so cars can see it at night
Both Mike “Flash” Creemer’s and Tyler “Bryce Harper” Stansbury’s cards come with a small comb so that we can all hopefully grow hair like they have. On the back, instead of their stats it has hair grooming tips.
Stay safe this weekend guys. Keep those masks on.
Marc