Wednesday, July 6, 2011 marked a couple of occasions worth celebrating.  The first was the return of SANS.  Yes, that’s right.  Ol’ #0 made his 2011 debut.  This brought all kinds of fans to the park.  One fan (Pub Krull’s brother-in-law) came all the way from California.  The other occasion worth celebrating was Ryan’s engagement.  Shocking that he was able to coerce a “yes” out of Brandi.

Game #1 vs. Celts Pub

Strange game.  It felt like we were hitting a pumpkin.  The ball felt like mush.  There was not much pop off of either team’s bats.  Brain started on the hill and quickly recorded four of the first six outs by Celts Pub.  The SFRC put the pressure on early scoring six runs in the second inning.  Celt’s pub made a nice rally in the sixth inning to close within 8-6.  However, the SFRC did what they do.  Potter led off with a single which was followed by a single by Sans and a single by Pub Krull.  Brain followed that up with a double.  Three runs later, the SFRC had an  11-6 lead and locked down the defense in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 11 – Celt’s Pub 6

Last out: Mr. Clutch (#35) – This never seems to change

Highlight of the game: Ryan caught in a rundown either fell or slid head first 15 feet away from first base.

Even Ryan is surprised she said "Yes."

Game #2 vs. Eddy’s

Brain started the game with a chance for the second “Snapper Mow’em Down” inning in SFRC history.  Unfortunately, the third batter made contact and grounded out.  The SFRC had the bats going early in this game scoring four runs in the first and four runs in the third.  Unfortunately, Eddy’s got to work in the second and third and fourth innings scoring nine runs.  The SFRC came charging back and took the lead 10-9.  In the top of the seventh Eddy’s broke through scoring three runs.  The SFRC bats were done after the sixth inning.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 10 – Eddy’s 12

Last out: Ryan

The SFRCGG were carrying a five game losing streak into this game, and that is simply unheard of in our world.  We have been shutout a time or two, but we have never endured a five game losing streak.

Game #1 vs. Midwest Realty Group

Brain climbed on the bump to continue filling in admirably for Sans who is still out with a bum wing.  We fell behind early 4-0 in the first.  2’s scored the first run for the SFRCGG in the 3^rd inning leading to a 6-1 deficit.  The bad guys found green all night and we just couldn’t lock them down.  We managed to push three runs in the bottom of the 6^th inning, including Matty trying to make things happen by running right over second base on his way to third.  After a brief conversation with Brain, who was also standing on third, Brain headed home to score.  It simply was not enough as the Schlitz Gusto Guys suffered their sixth straight loss.

The highlight of this game was clearly CW’s back to back triples to straight away deep center.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 4 – Midwest Realty Group 15

Last out: Lars

Game #2 vs. Beer Me

“Beer Me” is the same team name on the same field we first faced them last year.  However, this is a very different squad than the one who started the game last year with three straight strikeouts.  The 2011 version of “Beer Me” can hit the ball fairly well.  However, there are a few certainties in life, but one of them is that the SFRCGG will, under no circumstances, lose seven straight games.  Everyone hit well and we had a number of clutch two out hits.

Speaking of clutch…No one is more clutch than Pub Krull who started the game with a line drive homerun.  That was one of four runs Pub Krull scored and one of two homeruns he had in the game.  I could almost see the size of his head change during the night.  Not because of arrogance, but rather all of the HGH and other PED he had been ingesting (see Barry Bonds).

The hit parade was on all night as the SFRCGG were simply ready to outscore anyone, including Beer Me.

Pub Krull scored four runs, as did 35.  Veteran Ryan and Lars touched the plate three times.  Brain, Matty, Pauly and 2’s crossed twice and FNG Ryan scored once.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 23 – Beer Me 14

Last out: 2’s

Play of the Game: Pauly made a diving catch in left

Fan of the Night: Kurty, Ol’ #4

At 11:00pm the SFRCGG could still field a team (per the norm) to play a third game if we only had lights and an opponent.

It was significantly warmer in Week #2 than Week #1.  Temperatures were in the mid to upper 50′s.  Earlier in the day the forecast called for a 70% chance of showers.  Again, that may have been true at Burnsville Mall, but certainly not at the park.  It was nice to be back at SFRCMP “Away,” otherwise known as Neill Field B.  We welcomed a new SGG, Evan.  How did we know he was the FNG?  He parked in the outfield of SFRCMP.  It’s okay, I think he can be trained.

Game #1 vs. Ziegler

Brain manned the bump for the third straight game due to Sans’ “minor should hitch.”  Pub Krull started the game with a solo homerun to center.  Clearly the most clutch hit (0-0 game in the bottom of the 1st) since Mr. Clutch (#35) himself.  Nice work Pub Krull.  The started the momentum and allowed the Schlitz Gusto Guys to take an early 4-0 lead.  Ziegler wasn’t intimidated and pushed seven runs in the top of the 2nd inning and another four in the top of the 3rd.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys batted around in the 4th and 5th innings scoring six and seven runs respectively.  Part of the seven runs was an extremely clutch “no-doubter” grand slam by Pub Krull scoring 2′s, Evan and Lars who had all reached on singles.  We fell just a little short in the end.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 18 – Ziegler 22

Last out: Evan

Game #2 vs. Goodfellas

Goodfellas made the transition from the fall league into the ever competitive Burnsville Wednesday night D/E Recreational league.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys pushed one run in the top of the 1st, but allowed 10 in the bottom of the 1st.  Goodfellas was sure the game would be over early.  What they did not know is that there is no “quit” in the SGG.  We have plenty of “want to” on our squad.  We fought back a little at a time.  We managed eight runs in the 5th inning and seven more in the 6th and final inning.  Unfortunately the game was cut short due to time.  Brain and Ryan both took a turn on the bump and did what they good to make the defense play.

Solid hitting by all of the SGG’s.  It is not difficult to see how was scored 22 runs.  Pub Krull went 5-5.  Brain hit the ball hard as well and got robbed at least twice ending up 2-5.  Matty hit the ball hard all game, but had a 2-5 to show for it.  Cinco was on 4-5 five times.  #35 was 4-4.  Nate got after one that went well over the left-fielder’s head on his way to a double.  Pauly was an impressive 3-4, Ryan was 3-4, Potter was 3-4, 2′s was 3-4, Evan was 3-4 and Lars was 3-4.  If my calculations are correct, the SGG hit 0.673 (35/52) for the game.  That could be some kind of SFRC/SGG record.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 22 – Goodfellas 25

Last out: Cinco on a line drive to second

Hightlights of the game: Evan got robbed of an extra base hit by the Goodfellas left fielder making a diving catch towards the line.  Evan was also part of a little league homerun as Goodfellas played “hot potato” with the ball.  Another highlight: Lars sent a ball deep, well over the left-fielder’s head.  Way to earn some respect Lars.

Lowlights of the game: Ol’ 35 booted far too many ground balls, one resulting in the picture to the left.  Lars took a ball off the forearm in left-center that had a nasty tail on it.  We are still waiting on a picture from that mess.

Per the norm, we shutdown the fields as the last team to leave.

Game #1 vs. Goodfella’s

It was a tough day in the sun.  The ball seemed to be carrying a bit and the sun apologized for the previous week by glaring right into the outfielder’s eyes.  It made fielding difficult.  We scored 10 runs in this ball game, but unfortunately gave up 20. 

But the 10 run loss doesn’t matter.  Why?

In the 4^th inning one runner had scored and there were no outs and runners on 1^st and 2^nd.  This situation has happened 4,317 times since they moved the bases back five feet a few years ago.  There was a hard hit ball to short.  Of the 4,317 times there have been runners on 1^st and 2^nd or bases loaded with no outs, 417 times there has been a ground ball to ol’ #35 at short.  413 of those times, T-Mac has booted the ball, once he tagged the runner and twice we turned double plays and once we came a half step / bad call away from a triple play.  Well, on this day SFRCMP did us a favor.  The ball was hit very hard.  Luckily, too hard to have time to think.  It was a one-hopper / Sunday hop right into #35’s glove going to his left.  This led him right into the runner for the 1^st out, stepped on the base for out #2 and threw to first as Pub Krull anxiously awaited and sighed relief when he caught the ball.  A TRIPLE PLAY!  I’d like to type that again…A TRIPLE PLAY!   On the 418^th groundball to short with runners on 1^st and 2^nd with no outs, we turned a triple play.  1/418 = 0.0024. That is 0.24% chance.  In other words, it doesn’t happen often.  Numbers don’t lie. 

So we lost this game, but we had another game to play on this fine evening and no one from the Schlitz Gusto Guys had to go to bed at night knowing they hit into a TRIPLE PLAY!

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 10 – Goodfella’s 20

Last out: ?

Game #2 vs. Rounding Second

The Schlitz Gusto Guys can only be tamed for so long.  They can only be caged for so long.  Eventually, the animal that is the Schlitz Gusto Guys bats will let loose.  And so they did, on their way to 24 runs.  We hit bloopers, groundballs, line drives and deep balls.  This tamed and caged animal was free to go.  We took extra bases when they were given, we tested the arms, we forced them to throw us out between bases and we had Cinco try to “sneak” home after the runner before him had a play at the plate.  He missed it by a step.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys made things happen all game.

Defensively we locked it down making the plays we needed to make.  Pub Krull pitched his first official inning and simply didn’t give up an earned run.  ERA = 0.00.  Opponents batting average = 0.250.  I think the Schlitz Gusto Guys own the best middle reliever south of the river.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 24 – Rounding Second 10

Last out:  Ryan (officially a strikeout, since it was a foul ball)

Sub-plot of the night.  Entering the game #35 held an ever-so-slight lead over Brain for the Schlitz Gusto Guy batting title.  One of the biggest benefits were those Gusto Guys who did not qualify for the batting title.  The batting title essentially came down to whoever got more hits on this final day of the summer season.

Game #1 vs. Moose Knucklers

The pitcher for Moose Knucklers is up there on the “Most Likeable People” list with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.  He’s just a really fun guy to play against.  After Cinco hit a ground ball up the middle #35 asked if the pitcher was okay.  The reply went something like this, “You tell your *&(@#$% pitcher that I’m coming up the (*&$&$@# middle and I go head (*&$%(*# high.”  Let’s take a step back.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys and Moose Knucklers play in Wednesday night D/E Recreational league.  Further, I’m not sure anyone on the Schlitz Gusto Guys would try to go up the middle to hurt anyone.  It’s just not how the Schltiz Gusto Guys roll.  I don’t want to say karma plays a role in this, but he might be the only pitcher in the league to occasionally pitch between his legs or behind his back.

On to the game…It took a while for the bats on either team to get going.  We headed into the 4th inning tied 0-0.  It was back and forth in the final few innings, and the Schlitz Gusto Guys gave away a few runs en route to a 5-9 loss.

Brain ended 3×4 with two singles and a double / #35 finished 3×4 with two singles and a double.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 5 – Moose Knucklers 9

Last out: Pub Krull

Game #2 vs. Ziegler

After scoring 17 runs in their first game of the night Team Ziegler didn’t have much left.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys, on the other hand, had PLENTY left on this final night of summer ball.  It was one hit after another.  Team Ziegler, usually a solid defensive club, gave us a few freebees, which always helps.  There was quite a bit on the line for this game.  If Moose Knucklers lost in their second game (which they did) and the Schlitz Gusto Guys won, we’d tie for 1^st Place.  The runs came early and often for the Schlitz Gusto Guys as we batted around in the 2nd and 3rd innings and the game was really never close.  Everyone in the lineup had a minimum of four at-bats in Game #2 (in five innings).  Pub Krull slid over to shortstop and immediately had three of the next four put outs.  We also owe a thank you to Pub Krull for extending the game an extra at-bat by throwing just a bit wide of second base.  This biggest impact of this went to the “last out” of the game / summer.  Speaking of Pub Krull….He hit one of the best singles of the season.  A long fly ball, to DEEP left-center field….off the fence.  Nobody has a better “single” trot than Pub Krull.  Nobody.  He looked so graceful trotting to first on that single.  It was almost as if he thought the ball was gone (for a homerun).

Brain ended 4×5 with three singles and a double / #35 finished 4×4 with two singles and a homerun.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 22 – Team Ziegler 7

Last out: FNG (Silkey) – In the second to last inning (we had a walk off 15 run rule win)

Fan of the night: Kurt Student, “like it’s spelled.”

Final batting stats were as follows:

Brain was 48×84 for a 0.571 average.  #35 was 50×86 for a 0.581 average.  DISCLAIMER…If Brain’s last at-bat was scored a hit instead of an error he would have finished 49×84 for a .583 average.  Ol’ #35 owes the score keeper a TALL BOY!

Worth mentioning: As of August 3rd, 2010, there are 267 days until Summer Balm-2011

Also worth mentioning: There are 19 days until FALL BALL (not to be confused with Foul Ball…or Fowl balls).

The Schlitz Gusto Guys were more than ready to tackle mother nature and her balmy humidity.  Especially considering the wind was not blowing.

There are a couple of things we know for certain.

1. The Schlitz Gusto Guys bring their best effort when the balm is “a-plenty” and thick
2. Numbers don’t lie

NOTE: We have a new feature on www.sfrc.biz.  It’s the poll to the right.  This week’s poll is a vote for “Top Play of the Night.”

Game #1 vs. Celts Pub

It actually didn’t feel as humid down in the valley known as SFRCMP (Skyline Fighting Red C Memorial Park) as it had been throughout the late afternoon.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys were consistent throughout the game building an early lead, fighting off a rally by Celts Pub, increasing their lead and finally putting an end to the Celts Pub rallies.  Everyone hit well and hit when it mattered.  Potter made a GREAT diving catch charging a ball in left-center (top play nominee – see voting on the right).  On the night of the 2010 ESPYs, Potter made an early bid for “Play of the Year, 2011.”

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 18 – Celts Pub 9

Last out: Sans

Game #2 vs. Beer Me

Beer Me hits the ball well.  They started off the top of the 1^st doing just that….hitting the ball well.  They had quite a few runners, but managed to score only two runs.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys must have left their sticks at SFRCMP Field B because we were getting “no-hit” until the 3^rd inning.  Trailing 6-0 the Schlitz Gusto Guys pulled it together and got on the board with two runs.  At this point Beer Me lost their focus.  They started trying to figure out which guys were going to play in Fall League and who was going to play next summer.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys are nothing, if not focused on the job at hand.  We deal with this type of conversation after the games over an ice cold Schlitz Tallboy.  If the Schlitz Gusto Guys can hang their hat on one thing, it’s winning the mental game week in and week out.  This night was no different.  Defensively we gave up another run (on a play the ump never saw – the ball went in the dugout and came right back out – being the honest Schlitz Gusto Guys that we are, we admitted the play and it scored a run).  We came back to score a few of our own to close the gap 8-5.  In the bottom of the 4^th with runners and 1^st and 2^nd with no outs, a ground ball was hit to the Gusto Guy shortstop.  The runner on second froze and didn’t leave the bag.  #35 tagged the runner, stepped on second and threw to first for a TRIPLE PLAY (top play nominee – see voting on the right).  But wait….It was a bang bang play and the ump called him safe.  Really?  Can you call the runner safe in that situation?  We were just honest on a play the ump never saw the inning before.  The ump really can’t give us, and the triple play, the benefit of the doubt?  The very next batter hit a ball that somehow found #35’s glove on a diving play in short left field (top play nominee – see voting on the right).  In the words of Rasheed Wallace, “The ball don’t lie.” We came back in the top of the 6^th defensively with another double-play as Pub Krull scooped up a hard ground ball and calmly stepped on 1^st and threw it home where Cinco made the catch and tag (top play nominee – see voting on the right).  Celebrating the double-play the Schlitz Gusto Guys ran into to the bottom of the 6^th as the mighty Sans yelled out, “We need four to take the lead!”  Again, this is how the Schlitz Gusto Guys win the mental game.  Never, under any circumstances, would you hear “we need three to tie” out of a Gusto Guy dugout.  And with that call, the middle and bottom of the SGG lineup lit up the scorebook for four impressive runs taking a 9-8 lead.  We held on defensively for the win.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 9 – Beer Me 8

Last out: Kurty

Fan of the night: Patsy and friend and the “double horn.”

As a reminder, the annual “Processed Food Night” will happen on “South Beach” Lac Lavon on July 21^st immediately after our second game (roughly 8pm).  Please see the BBQ tab for a roster of what to bring.

Highlights:

Sans from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

2′s from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Pauly from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Silkey from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

• We were held hitless until the 5th inning before getting the bats going (still lost).

• The ump was unsure if there were one or two outs.

• We had a situation in the base path in both Game #1 and Game #2 (not surprisingly #35 was involved in both).

• We had loons calling at Lac Lavon (an unofficial first for the Schlitz Gusto Guys).

• Most importantly, we had eight “leaders” still at the park 4.5 hours after first pitch, with an average age of 43.

• We beat Televant DTN 12-2.

• We beat H-Bombs (without their new uniforms) 7-6.

• We lost to Beer Me 7-9.

• We beat Edina Realty BCO 11-9 (on a game-saving catch by Pub Krull).

Entering June 9ths games the Schlitz Gusto Guys (a.k.a. LEADERS) were batting seven points higher than we finished last season.  And, we had hit one more HR than we had all of last season.  Numbers don’t lie.  Let’s recap the games.

Game #1 vs. Team Ziegler

There is not another team we have been more evenly matched with in the past decade.  Our games against Team Ziegler always seem to be one or two run games and at the end of the season we have split wins and losses.  This game was no different.  The game was back and forth with the lead changing hands at least three times.  Cinco welcomed the evening with a L O N G homerun to left-center.  McLovin’ (a.k.a. Sans) hit a hard shot up the middle that hit the pitcher’s shoulder.  Brain immediately commented that it was the hardest ball Sans has hit in 10 years.  It was smoked.  Worth mentioning, no one in the league tries to steer clear of the pitcher more than Sans.  Unfortunately, this one was a direct hit.  “Sorry Team Ziegler pitcher.”  T-Mac, Ryan and Sans were all 3×3 in Game #1.   Brain and Pauly each had two walks and the Schlitz Gusto Guys took an unprecedented seven walks as a team.  This is unofficially a Gusto Guy team record.

The game was played at a very quick pace thanks to a few four pitch innings for both teams.  It was played so quickly that the ump was willing to let us play an 8^th inning if we were able to tie the game in the bottom of the 7^th.  Unfortunately, Pub Krull missed this opportunity.  But don’t worry, redemption would be had before ol’ #36’s head hit the pillow for the night (read on).

T-Mac did feel the need to berate the FNG in front of his teammates.  It’s important to know we never, under any circumstance, use the term “leader” when referring to an individual on an opposing team.  For the past few weeks we have heard the FNG yell out, “No outs, who is going to get the leader?”  We have straightened this out.  From now on it will be, “No outs, who is going to get the first one?”

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 7 – Team Ziegler 10

Last out: Pub Krull

Game #2 vs. Moose Knucklers

The Schlitz Gusto Guys remembered how they fell apart in Game #2 last week.  Determined not to do the same this week, we came out swinging and fielding.   We moved positions quite a bit and Kurty pitched a solid game and fielded 4-5 balls up the middle as well.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys were down 12-10 heading into the top of the 7^th.  “We need three to take the lead.”  Lars started off the inning with a single.  After an out, Al lined a single to center.  Two men on, one out and Pub Krull stepping to the dish looking to avenge his game #1 ending strikeout.  BAM!  Three run homerun by Pub Krull.  A truly “clutch” homerun.  Brain followed that up with a single and Matty also lined a single to left-center.  Ol’ 35 flew out to left for out number two.  Cinco stepped up and on his own personal mission to lead the squad in homeruns playing only part-time, he launched a three-run homerun to deep left-center field.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys are CLUTCH!  In the field Brain and CP locked it down to finish the win.

Matty was 4×4 with four runs scored.  Pub Krull had three runs scored.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 16 – Moose Knucklers 12

Last out: Pauly

Fan of the night: TO!  Also, Patsy and friend (see quotes).

Nightcap conversation:

In an effort to keep this website “work appropriate,” this may be somewhat cryptic for those that were not closing down SFRCMP at 11:30pm.  I apologize.

I think we can safely make the following assumptions about CP:

• He prefers a rotary telephone
• He prefers to watch television in black and white
• He prefers the shaggy orange/yellow/green carpet over hardwood floors, area rugs or even a nice Berber carpet
• When leaving SFRCMP Field B, he prefers to walk on the right side of the hill (most others choose the less “nappy” left side of the hill)
• He loves the Amish way of life
• He wished he was in that room at St. Thomas circa 1993
• He likes to navigate more than drive

And why?  Because that’s how “they” liked lived in 1975.  The counter argument of course, is simply that “things change” and generally they get better.  If this wasn’t true, they wouldn’t change at all.  We’d still be sending telegrams and the Hindenburg would just be one of many airship disasters if it were up to CP.  Instead, in 2010 we speak on the phone, send emails and travel via jets.

Some other notes worth mentioning:

• Pub Krull carries a Tommy Hilfiger sack for his shoes, etc.
• The FNG has the nicest shaved head….(we’ll leave it there)