Cletus Van Damme (cletus_van_damme@hotmail.com)
TUESDAY MORNING CATCHER ON A FRIDAY: SPECIAL EDITION
The Classic: Preview
After countless deliberations of when the Classic would go down, the day is nearly upon us; tomorrow in fact. This year continues the trend that was started last year, with four teams playing for all the glory. On one end you have the defending champions, and two-time winners, Kilbride. Can they repeat and chant those ridiculous cheers they all love to shoot their mouths off to? Then there's everybody's favorite villains, Waterford Valley. Can they finally lose the classic chokers label they've been riding for years? Next up is the David of the David and Goliath, the Misfits. Can they shock the world and win it for the second time, but minus their two best players Dwayne Prince and Adam Smith? Finally there's the Old Sam Generals, who went by the Rejects last year. Can this team made up of a mixture of current and former players with a couple of newbies make some noise?
Let's break things down a little further starting with the Old Sam Generals. What are their odds in winning the Classic? Kilbride Lotto Corporation (KLC) lists the odds as 12-1. Not very good but we've seen bigger shockers. First off, who'll be pitching for this team? I have no idea but we may see team captain Eddy Power take the reigns or maybe someone like Dave Penney. A dark horse could be the living Legend Bas Whelan. If Bas pitches, watch out, the odds will definitely be lowered.
The outfield should consist of Steve Brown, Sebastien Vallin and possibly the greatest player who's ever performed in the Classic, 'The Defector' Ched Whelan - who is now playing for his fourth team in the Classic's short history. If you all remember our friend Ched who once wore the proud colors of gold and black, defected the Valley when he took his luggage, and the rest of his shit, just over the Huck's hills, moving into the mean streets of Myrick. Well, Ched was the fella, arsehole by some, who hit a walk off home run, winning the Classic for Kilbride in '08. Can Ched pull off some more magic this year? If Old Sam's has any chance he'll have to come up big.
The infield should consist of the likes of Eddy Power, Robbie Leeman, Terry Lawlor, Ryan Foley and Neil Murphy. Not exactly a powerhouse but the job should be able to get done.
Old Sam's is going to need some solid D, and the lead off guys to get on so Ched and Brownie can knock 'em in. If they can't achieve it, they could be a quick two and done in the tourney.
Cletus's bold prediction: 3rd place. After losing to Kilbride in their first game of the day, they will take out the Misfits because of superior D. They will then lose in the semi's to the game 3 loser.
The Misfits shocked all of Kilbride and all the surrounding area's in '09, when they took down the Mighty Valley in the semi's after trailing by a large score. Then they destroyed Kilbride in the Finals led behind the amazing play of Dwayne Prince. Nobody expects them to do it again but I wanna know, why the fuck not? KLC lists their odds of winning it at 10-1.
Starting off at the top, one of the league's biggest surprises of the season, Jimmy Fitz takes over as new team captain. Jimmy, who yields the league's best ERA this year, is going to have to be at his best for the Misfits to have any chance this week. The main question this team is faced with is, who will play short? Dexter is firmly set at 3rd, with Scott Murphy (CVD most improved player) at 1st. Then there's second base, Keety Pope or Blair Marshall can share this base if need be. Mike Baird can possible play IF or OF as well. Not sure where he'll be getting his playing time. But again, who plays short? Does Dexter move over to an unfamiliar position? I guess we will find out on Saturday.
The Misfts outfield should be decent with either Blair Connelly or Ross Courtney taking CF. Sharky Whelan will probably play LF with Mike Brock in RF or rover. Evil Twin, Robin Courtney is also available as well. Not bad, not bad at all.
For the Misfits to have any chance Jimmy has to continue with his strong play and you're gonna have to see Ross get on base, and on base a lot, and for Brock, Connelly and Sharky to knock in the runs. A good trio of big hitters there.
Cletus's bold prediction: 4th place. I can't shake the thought of who'll be playing short.
Kilbride, the loudmouths of the league. The guys who don't shut up. We all know Jason Thompson and Luke Stoyles will be breaking out the trash talk (who will they pick on this year?), but will they back it up?
Team captain Jimmy Rodden has surrounded himself with all the usual suspects. Mental Murphy, with his huge arsenal of pitches, is set on the mound. Billy Gorman and Luke Stoyles will probably share 1st base duties. Can't go wrong there. Jonny Murphy will be at second and Kirk Stoyles at 3rd. Solid stuff right there. Then there's good ole Jimmy. Jimmy was the hero in last season's Classic, making play after play. His glove became a blanket by the end of it, he was that good. But good ole Jimmy made a boo boo in the 9th inning last week that you could say cost his team the game. You could just see Jimmy struggle with his failure. Is it still in his head? Can he move on to the next play or will he let it fester? I was gonna say he'd move on and continue his amazing defensive play but after his favorite show Entourage had perhaps its worse episode in it's entire history later that night, I wouldn't be surprised if JR is on suicide watch!
Kilbride's outfield will consist of Jason Thompson in left, JJ Dray (who is looking like he's 18 years old this season) in center and Jeff Murphy in right. Moe Smith will play his usual rover and Scott Howell is also set to play anywhere out there. Excellent stuff! Strong bats and good defense.
Kilbride are listed as KLC favorite's at 5-2 odds. You can't argue that, they always seem to rise to the occasion and as a team never quit, and as the two -time champs they've earned the right to be favorite's. For them to win though, they have to continue playing mistake free ball, continue their loud antics, and maintain the timely hitting they always seem to manage. I'm sure we will see some of this on display on Saturday.
Cletus's bold prediction: 2nd place. After beating the Misfits in their first game, Kilbride will lose to a sobered Valley in game 3. They will then take down Old Sam's in a sloppy affair before losing to the Mighty Valley in the finals.
Finally, there's the Valley. The "Dream Team"? No, the long time chokers. This is a team that is staked from top to bottom. Are these losers finally going to become winners? Is this finally their year? On paper this is the team to beat, but according to KLC not so. They're listed at 3-1 odds to win, slightly behind Kilbride.
Valley is loaded everywhere starting with the young ace Steve "Splinter" Kenny. Splinter has been one of the surprises of the league so far, batting .449 with a league leading 6 walks! Next up is the Valley's loaded IF. Former gold glover Aoo Condon on 3rd, Dave Pike on SS, another former gold glover on 2nd and possibly Rick Smith and Chris Jacobs on 1st. Unheralded Chris Murphy (0 for August!) can play either IF or OF. Seriously, can you say loaded?
If you thought the IF was loaded, check out of the OF, with more former gold glover's in Robert Smith (the early favorite for this years MVP) and Koo Condon. Then there's the league's best spread hitter Gord Payne and strike out king Derek Fleming. Team captain Thomas "Super Star" Harris, another former gold glover, is listed as doubtful for the Classic, having suffered an injured rib on Wednesday. If he can't go it's going to be a huge loss but Valley will have to "win won for the Gipper".
For Valley to win they're probably going to have to jump out to quick starts because, in the past, when they get down they basically quit. Unlike they're biggest rivals, Kilbride, this team seems to be missing some heart. They're going to have to start gutting things out or they'll continue to be a bunch of losers.
Cletus's bold prediction: 1st place, Champions of the '11 Classic. This is the year folks. This is the year Rick Smith finally puts his Classic struggles behind him. This is the year Steve Kenny finally doesn't allow that huge late inning homer. This is the year Valley grows some grit! Throw in the amazing D from all the countless gold glover's and this is the year Valley finally gets over the hump and become champions.
So that's a wrap. See y'all on Saturday for some good times, good games, good drunks, good people, and hopefully non-burnt burgers!
Now, I leave you with some Bungle.
