FAT-ELVIS baseball collective

it’s getting here very quickly.  just four more days until the FEAT.  i can honestly tell you that i’m NOT ready.  not anywhere close.  by the time it gets here, though, i should be.  i don’t have that many places to fill … or that much money to spend.  the Tigers will be looking toward the future when they make their bids.  this year could be a rough one, but it’s not all a loss.  not yet.  anything can happen.  deals could be made after the FEAT closes and the salary cap opens up some.  but the Tigers are feeling like this is more of a rebuilding year.

Jeter, Wright, Castillo help anchor the infield.  we’re hoping Soto bounces back and that Rajai Davis stays consistent.  the rotation and bullpen are iffy at best.  the majority of games we win this year will be from our hitting, not our pitching.  and our hitting has it’s sketchy moments.  catcher is weak this year.  and there are really no solid guys in the corner spots of the outfield.  first base is non-existent at the moment and will be one of the areas the Tigers try to fix for the next several years.  in hindsight, trading Chamberlain and Votto for Teixeira and Hamels was a mistake.  we probably would have made the playoffs anyway and then this season would have been better off.  we would have had a firstbaseman still and since we didn’t have the money to justify extending Hamel’s contract we’d be in a slightly weaker position with pitching, but more money to work with overall.  ahhh, the follies of the Tupelo franchise continue.

-chief

Tupelo, MS — A press conference was called early Tuesday morning in Tupelo.  Trading had just opened in the Fat Elvis, after the scorched earth and winter meeting processes.  Would a big name be leaving the confines of Tupelo?  Would a big name be coming to the small market ball club?  The folks from Tupelo vacated the Piggly Wiggly, J-Don’s Automart, and [local favorite] Fried PBJ Diner and gathered at the town square.  Anticipation was on all the faces as people who had come from all localities; Plantersville, Belden, Indian Hills, Frog Island, Netleton, and even a couple from Woodland. 

Tupelo Fan, Walter M. had this to say, “It’s difficult to see a team that we love struggle for three or four years finally get a chance only to be booted from the playoffs.  I hope we don’t have to wait another four years to get back.” 

Owner, Rick Queary, finally came to the microphones.  “Thank you for being here this morning.  Over the years we’ve had some good seasons.  We’ve also endured some hard times.  During the last few months we’ve tried to address things that can or should be done.  While the online approach we started about three years ago is working, we also feel the need to adjust the image of the organization.  

“With that being said, the Eagles have, continued to struggle against the image of the down-and-out franchise of our past.  While we continue to improve in many areas, it’s the long-term image we want to change.  Winning will be a huge part of that and we’re committed deeply to that endeavor.  At the same time, we must shed the perception of our past.  We are trying to redefine ourselves.  

“Starting in 2010, the team will no longer be called the Tupelo Eagles.  While the bird is an emblem of freedom and strength, we want to be known for our aggressive and tenacious approach to winning.  We want other teams and cities to view our team as one that must be contended.  I would like to introduce you to your city’s new mascot and team name: The Tupelo Tigers.  Thank you, thank you very much.”

game seven has come and gone. i had a 3-2 lead in the series, but the jailbirds won game six, forcing a game seven. i always have a bad feeling about going seven. i’d rather just put them away. since that’s never happened, and i’ve always lost the game sevens in my FEBC history, i had a bad feeling.

it started out good. i jumped on carlos zambrano and scored three runs in the top of the first. i was beginning to think my luck had changed. that THIS would be the year of the Eagle. but then his team had a chance to bat and he pasted four runs in his half of the first.

it kind of went south from there. i was able to have a come back in the game, but in the end it wasn’t enough. i lost the game 7-6. congratulations to the dreaded and feared jailbirds. someday i’ll defeat you, though it won’t be next year.

why won’t it be? because i sold all out. i went all in. i bet the house for THIS year. the house won and now my team looks like a piece of dog manure stuck in the wheels of the lawn mower. *sigh*

recently i’ve had several people asking about the league and if there are openings. it always amazes me how we’ll go in waves. several will show interest and then it wanes. then it comes back. with the season almost over i’ll be looking for commitment for next year. that will be the guidepost on whether there is new blood for 2010 or whether the same classy group will be taking the charge for the FEBC crown in our twelth year. time will tell.

-chief

we’re one game into it. it was a topsy-turvy event. down by two, down by one, even, up by two, even, down by one, up by one, then the end. so now there’s at least three more games to play. series will resume tonight. i really need the dice to be gentle and generous with the madhatter Tupelo Eagles for this series.

speaking of baseball, i still want to get a retro league going. i’ve been scowering the web looking for anyone who has a 70s league of some sort going. i’d even entertain buying another gaming system if i thought it was worth it. anything by strat, apba, and replay doesn’t merit the effort (sorry for you folks who play ‘em, i just don’t get them or like them).

and it would be nice if someone else has the helm. i’m enjoying the other league because there i’m just a member. just another owner wanting to play the game and see if i can somehow lead my team to a championship. don’t get me wrong, i love leading the FEBC, but i never feel like i can just relax and let things play out. there’s too many snags that are generally just personality disputes that erupt and then someone gets all set off. then there’s the website that i probably do too much on in the early part of the year and then too little as the year progresses. maybe if i didn’t coach, play in another league, or have teenagers continually going in different directions i’d have time to stay focused on it. either way, by august or september, i’m usually behind and feel bad about it.

70s baseball … anyone?

-chief